Marie Demkovitch

Students write messages on cards to give to their friends for Friendship Day. This was one of two stations at the Feb. 10 English Club session. “I wrote my card to Cindy for her support in making English Club happen,” Kai Chen (11) said.

Five members of English Club went to Spoede Feb. 10 to do arts and crafts with the ESOL program kids to help them build their English skills. 

“[We did] some friendship day activities, like making friendship bracelets and cards,” Betina Hirsch (11) said. 

Hirsch joined English Club this year and has attended several sessions. She was interested in joining because she was also in an ESOL Program when she was in elementary school.

“I think it would be really cool to help other students who are currently in ESL, and help them learn English,” Hirsch said.

In order to help students with their English skills, English Club goes to Conway and Spoede elementary schools and plays word games and helps them read.

“We get to come here weekly, and we get to form connections with the kids,” English Club co-president Kimmi Lin (12) said. 

English Club strives to create a welcoming space for the kids in which they can learn English through fun ways. For most holidays, they set up activities for the kids to actively use their English skills and interact with peers.

“I think it’s really important to introduce students to cultural experiences and holidays that we celebrate here in the U.S. to help them be a little bit adapted and more familiar with the traditions,” Hirsch said.

In the future, English Club wants to expand to more elementary schools. With a growing number of members, they hope to be able to help ESOL programs across the district. 

“As a part of English Club, I hope to help students grow confident in their English skills and make them feel happy,” Hirsch said.