News, updates, and August in-home tutoring hours

Greetings, everyone!

Is August really almost over? Where did my summer go? I think I forgot to have fun. I hope you were more successful at that than I was.

Just a quick reminder that at the end of this week, it will be time to report your in-home tutoring time and activities for August.

Click here to go to the reporting link.

The unmasked link will be at the end of this message. Also, these monthly emails are cross-posted and therefore archived at www.cresltutors.blogspot.com. You might want to bookmark that site if you're among the 30 or so people who never receive my monthly reminder email with the reporting link.

I'm out of the office!

My in-laws are visiting from the East Coast, so I've been out of the office and will return on September 3. If you've been unable to reach me, that's why.

Citizenship resources

I've had numerous requests for information about preparing for the citizenship test. It's never too soon to start helping your student prepare for this test and interview, and you can work a little bit of civics and citizenship prep into every lesson. The good news is, everything you need is online and it's free. Using the provided lessons and resources, you can break down the information to focus on vocabulary, dictation/writing exercises, and speaking/listening proficiency.

The naturalization process has several components, starting with the N400 application. The citizenship interview includes questions specific to the answers that the applicant provided on the form. This form should be completed by an immigration lawyer or a trained professional. Several local organizations provide support for this, including Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, Colorado African Organization, Asia Pacific Development Center, the Denver Public Library, and Lutheran Family Services.

In addition to the many study resources on the website (including the infamous 100 Questions that must be memorized), there are several videos available that give an idea of what to expect in the interview. You can find one of those here.

For those students seeking to take a citizenship class, options abound in the Denver area. Most classes cost about $40, but some are free, including those offered by the Denver Public Library. Check the links above for more information. Classes are also offered at Community College of Aurora and several other locations.

Telling our story

Please don't forget that I'm collecting your stories to feature on our Facebook page. What I need is a photo of you and your student, along with a short story about your personal experience and what makes the program worthwhile for you. You can read two examples here and here (If you don't use Facebook, you'll see a series of pop-ups on-screen asking you to log in or sign up. Ignore those and just click on the "No thanks" option).

Instagram

Several folks have asked why we don't have an Instagram for this program. Well, most of our students don't want to be featured that way. If you enjoy Instagram, here are some accounts you might find interesting:

www.instagram.com/alittlesomethingdenver/

www.instagram.com/lfsrockymountains

www.instagram.com/theirc

www.instagram.com/refugees

www.instagram.com/projectworthmore

www.instagram.com/africancommunitycenter

www.instagram.com/unwomen

More training

I'm trying to put together an inservice training and tutor meet-and-greet for the morning of September 28. The tentative topics are reading/writing strategies and assessment. If I'm able to get my colleagues to agree to present, we'll do this. Otherwise, the session will be shorter and will include a meet-and-greet with tutors then sharing out some of their favorite or most successful teaching ideas. More on this later!

September free days in Denver

• Denver Botanic Gardens (York St.) September 3
• Denver Art Museum September 7
• Denver Museum of Nature and Science September 29

A fun fundraiser

Project Worthmore is hosting its annual Our Neighbors, Ourselves art show event on September 13 at the Hangar at Stanley in Aurora. This is a juried art gallery featuring dozens of visual artists, a silent auction, live music from Tom Hagerman of DeVotchKa and his band, Grande Orquesta Navarre, plus DJ sets by Jonny DeStefano & Christy Thacker.

Early Bird ticket sales end on August 30th and tickets will increase to $60.

If you are a visual artist or photographer who creates on themes related to refugees or the concepts of home, identity, loss, community, connection, or similar, you can submit/donate your work (it must be for sale) up until the end of August. More details on this event can be found here: https://projectworthmore.org/events/ourneighbors

 

That's all for this month. I hope you all enjoy a fun and relaxing Labor Day weekend.

Here is the full link to the reporting survey.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeWQrEyTanw1JJCzGk-ofZ7l0aAzqQZDdEcXi0u0lWXsO3NIA/viewform

July hours are due plus August updates

Happy Colorado Day, everyone! Our beautiful state has its 143rd birthday today. I hope you get to do something fun and state-specific to mark the occasion. If you're downtown or headed that way, History Colorado is having a block party today!

As the calendar page has turned and it's now August, it's time to report your tutoring time and activity for JULY. Click here to go to the reporting survey.

If ever you want to refer back to one of these monthly updates but you can't find it in your email, bookmark this site: http://cresltutors.blogspot.com/

I've been cross-posting these monthly missives there for prosperity and for access by all whose email platforms send my messages into the junk mail folder or just somewhere into the ether, never to be read.

News and Updates:

I had a program review meeting with the people from the state refugee office last week. Overall, they're quite impressed with the work all of you are doing. They really didn't understand how complex this program is--and how thorough we are in trying to support the in-home students. The state folks were especially impressed with how detailed your monthly reporting is and the level of investment we all make in each individual in-home student. Thanks for being such superstars! Your efforts really shone brightly when they were explained to our funder. Kudos!

Personal update

I'm deep in the throes of a recurrence of shingles. Please be patient as the best treatment for this is rest so my attendance at work is expected to be spotty for a couple of weeks. I have a good supply of L-lysine on medication on hand, but resting the body and nervous system are what I was primarily prescribed. And in case you didn't know--yes, shingles can come back (in my case, multiple times).

Vacation, sort of

My in-laws will be visiting the last week of this month and I'll be off from work that entire week. As a result, you will likely get the August reporting survey a day or two late, possibly as late as September 3.

Colorado Public Radio

Did you catch us on the radio last week? Our work in the English program at Emily Griffith Technical College was featured on CPR twice in July. The story was originally intended to be part of a digital, online-only series, but the material was so compelling, the editors decided to go ahead and produce an on-air story. The digital (website) story is longer and a little different than the audio version; you can access both here. To hear the audio (and me), click the orange "listen now" button at the top right of the screen.

RTD discount program

RTD has launched a new discounted fare program for low-income area residents. Click for an excellent explainer from CPR. The process to apply is complicated, though. If you feel comfortable helping your student with this, please give it a try. Refugees who qualify can also ask their case manager for help, but if they aren't receiving services anymore, they may have trouble getting in for an appointment. The staff at the Denver Public Library can also lend a hand. More information is here.

Paraprofessional pathways class

If your student is interested in working as a paraprofessional classroom aide, Spring Institute is offering a preparation class. Students will learn workplace skills, understand US school culture, prepare for the ACT WorkKeys test, build a resume,and prepare for interviews. This class is only open to those with refugee, asylee, or SIV status living in the US for five years or less. The class is free and meets for 12 weeks. See the attached flyer for more details and registration information.

English classes around town

There are many options available for students who would like to transition out of in-home tutoring and into a classroom for English instruction. Many of these options are free or almost free, and some are funded through the same channels that provide free classes at Emily Griffith. Most locations are currently enrolling adult students for the fall term. If you would like information about classes to share with your student, please let me know. It will be most helpful if you remind me what neighborhood your student lives in so I can send the most relevant information. Classes begin later in August and are offered by Spring Institute, Adams County Schools, Focus Points, Learning Source, Project Worthmore, Littleton Library, Community College of Aurora, Jeffco Adult Ed, and more.  Some are also offering citizenship preparation classes and GED prep. Emily Griffith has free English class options both in the morning and afternoon.

Lifeskills and more at Village Exchange Center

The Village Exchange Center is a shared community space serving primarily immigrants and refugees with a broad range of activities and supports. Coming up this month are free computer and financial literacy classes. VEC is located on the corner of Havana St. and 16th Ave. in Aurora. There are two flyers attached to this message with more information.

Want to sort some beads?

Shingles or not, this Saturday I'll be working on a project at the A Little Something studio. We need more volunteers to get through this overwhelming task. No special skills are required, just patience and a good eye for color. A sense of humor helps. We'll be in the basement of the Village Exchange Center. Please come and help if you have time, feel willing, and this kind of task doesn't make you crazy. Click here for all of the details.

Taste of the Middle East

If sorting beads doesn't sound like the most thrilling way to spend this Saturday, then you might want to head over to the Taste of the Middle East festival in Centennial. All of the details can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/801100653624578/

(When the Facebook pop-up comes on, just click "no thanks" and it will go away.)

Taste of Ethiopia

If the Middle East isn't to your taste, well, head on out to the Taste of Ethiopia Festival. This event is also on Saturday, August 3. Did you know that more than 30,000 Ethiopians live in the Denver area? This cultural event is spectacular and well attended. More information is here: https://www.facebook.com/events/15555-e-53rd-ave-denver-co-80239/taste-of-ethiopia-festival-2019/2317738308258193/

(When the Facebook pop-up comes on, just click "no thanks" and it will go away.)

African Festival

If you're not all festivaled out, there's even more to taste. The end of August brings the Colorado Taste of Africa Festival.

​I think that's it for this month. Please don't forget to report your hours!!​

Here is the unmasked link for reporting:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScxKw23ZjdHmtY7MuwdpXwQq5TaiHKRdvFdhBk5h3pg33u5eg/viewform

June tutor updates

June is all but finished, so it's time to report your tutoring time for the month.

Click here to go to the reporting link.

Vacation

I will be out of the office all of next week, the week of July 1-5. My work cell phone will be off, and I won't be checking email or voicemail. An away-vacation is not in the budget this year, but I plan to unplug as much as I can next week while using accrued vacation time I would otherwise lose. I'll be back at work on July 8.

July 4th noise

It is a very good idea to let your students know that the week of July 4 can get quite noisy in the Denver area. Firecrackers and fireworks can sound a lot like gunshots and bombs, and this can be particularly frightening for people who are harboring war-related trauma. Explain to your student that it's a normal part of the sound landscape in the Denver area at this time of year.

Here are two articles that list places to see Fourth of July fireworks in the metro area:

5280 Fireworks List (some out-of-the-way, smaller sites)

The Know fireworks list

Here's a story about how illegal fireworks are triggering to people with trauma: https://denver.cbslocal.com/2019/06/25/lakewood-fireworks-reporting-map/

Newcomers' Fourth of July

Roshni--a Performing Arts organization--and Control Group Productions are celebrating shared community with their first annual New American 4th of July: An intercultural community celebration of American Interdependence.
The celebration will take place from 11am-1pm on Thursday, July 4th, at and around The People’s Building on East Colfax in downtown Aurora. The festivities will commence with a short sidewalk parade of diversity accompanied by a live broadcast and DJed music by KETO FM.
Potluck food and refreshments will be served. Local and guest artists will perform, including
excerpts from Mountains Made for Us, Colorado’s first intercultural play, and Control Group’s soon-to-be released film, "Solace."
The New American 4th of July celebration promises inclusive, family-friendly fun, and a lovely new take on 4th of July festivities and the day’s true significance.
RSVP to the event organizers and follow event details at Facebook.com/events/2242405169174019/

Colorado Talking Book Library

There is a resource available to the public that you may not be familiar with. The Colorado Talking Book Library is a resource for all kinds of people, not just the visually impaired. Users simply need a Colorado address and to clear a very easy definition of disability, such as fatigue, stroke, MS, Parkinson's, arthritis and more. 

They have materials in 130 languages! Of course, materials in English can support the work you're doing with your student.

To learn more, check out their website:https://myctbl.cde.state.co.us/

You may also contact Barbara Jaynes directly: barbara@positively-funded.com. She's really excited to bring their resources into service for refugee communities. 

Finally, if you're working on citizenship preparation with your student, consider connecting further with them to either access the study guide audio book (currently just English & Spanish), or even to help record a study guide in the language(s) of your target participants. They welcome volunteer support to further grow their library. 

I hope some of you are able to connect with this resource!

Free conversation practice

Please see the attached flyers for information about English Conversation Circles at Eloise May, Smoky Hill, and Sheridan libraries. Conversation circles are free, run year round, and don't require registration. All are welcome!

If your in-home student lives in Denver and within the Denver Public Schools boundaries, here is some helpful information for family members 12-18 years old. Please note that cell phone is necessary to access this service.

'On MY Way' Youth Summer Transportation Program Kicks Off June 1

This summer, the On MY Way! summer pilot program will provide transit fares to youth through RTD's new Mobile Ticketing app June 1-Aug. 31. City agencies -- including the Office of Children's Affairs, Denver Parks and Recreation and the Department of Public Works -- are working together to fund the mobile ticket fares.

To participate in the On MY Way! youth summer transportation program, students must be between 12-18 years old, have a MY Denver Card and complete a short online survey. To take the survey and learn more, students can visit denvergov.org/mydenvercard and visit RTD Mobile Ticketing for additional details about the RTD Mobile Tickets app.

Click here to read the article published by Chalkbeat and learn more about the program.

Some class options in Aurora/Lowry

The Community College of Aurora offers summer U.S. Citizenship Preparation classes for students that are interested in becoming U.S. citizens. Students prepare for the exam and receive help with the application and process in general. Thanks to a grant from USCIS, these classes are available at a reduced cost of $40.00 per ten-week term (40 hours of instruction).

Advanced ESL students who are interested in future college study or workforce preparation can now prepare for their goals in a low-stress, student-centered environment. CCA is offering these classes at a reduced cost of $60.00 per ten-week term (60 hours of instruction). Information can also be found on the CCA website, at www.ccaurora.edu/esl

 

Aurora Public Schools registration

If your student has children in Aurora Public Schools, please note the new registration system being implemented. Easy-to-understand information is here: https://app.peachjar.com/flyers/767749/schools/148976

In addition, help is needed helping parents sign up their kids for school. Read on for more information!

Aurora Public School's Action Zone is seeking volunteers to help sign up limited-English speaking refugee families register for school this year. Interpretation and training for volunteers will be provided. 

Sign up to volunteer here.  Learn more at corefugeeconnect.org. 

We're going to be on Colorado Public Radio

Several of my colleagues in the English Language Acquisition department here were interviewed today by a journalist from Colorado Public Radio. the story will be about what it's like to learn English as an adult in Denver and what supports are in place to help facilitate that process. I spoke extensively about the in-home tutoring program. The story will air in the next week or two, so if you're a CPR listener, keep your ears tuned for that!

That's all for this month. Now that summer seems to have arrived for real, I hope you're able to get out and enjoy all that Colorado has to offer!

Reporting link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScnEGSHvmvBmLKTOcN0TGuYNXWnm3t24q9BBNLmbuf0dl94Mw/viewform

April hours are due!

​

April will be gone in just a few hours, which means it's time to report you tutoring hours for the month. Please don't ignore this request!

Last month, I had to submit a report outlining student progress in our program. We almost didn't hit our targets on this, not because students aren't progressing, but because of a lack of data from volunteers not reporting at all, or, reporting hours but not completing the rest of the survey. Your participation in this program matters--and so does your reporting on what you do! I am ever-so-grateful when you share your stories with me.

Click here to go to the reporting survey. I will include the unmasked link at the end of this message. Please take care in filling in each field. Some of you are neglecting to enter your first and last name or your student's name, or you're reporting hours as words and not numerical digits.

If ever you notice that you haven't received the monthly email message from me, it's not you, it's not me, it's algorithms.

Some notes and news:

​

Art museum

A volunteer gave me two free passes to the Denver Art Museum (which is also always free on the first Saturday of the month--that's this week!) to pass along to a tutor who would like to take his or her student on a field trip. If you would like one or both of these passes, please let me know. First come, first served!

Neighborhood survey activity

(I'm not involved with this in any way--just passing along the information.) Here's something to share with your student or do together. The University of Colorado Denver is conducting a research study to understand how neighborhood design and local services shape a sense of belonging and inclusion for first-generation immigrants. A key component of the project is administering confidential surveys of adults born outside the U.S. and now living in the Denver metropolitan region.

There is an online version of the survey that participants can take on their own computer, tablet, or phone. All participants who complete the 20-minute survey will receive a $10 Amazon e-gift card.

The online survey can be found at http://immigrantsandneighborhoods.org in both English and Spanish versions. Please share this link with your students, clients, friends, and colleagues through listserves, newsletters, and/or member-only Facebook/social media pages.The survey will close on May 31, 2019.

​Cambridge ESL YouTube channel

​Cambridge (one of our favorite textbook publishers) has launched a YouTube channel for student self-study. It's perfect for learners looking for some additional help in learning English. A team of international teachers gives learners short YouTube lessons on specific bits of real-world English. Perfect for outside the classroom and supporting your teaching, why not take a look and share it with your students too? www.youtube.com/LearnEnglishwithCambridge

A note about my work cell phone

Some of you have been using text messaging as a regular means to communicate with me. Please send me emails! Email gives me an electronic record should I need to refer back to our conversation. Text messaging does not meet our FERPA privacy standards, either, so I'll likely answer by email, anyway. Please note that I really only use my work cell phone to set up appointments with students and communicate with tutors on the day of first meeting their students. The phone is turned off at the end of my work day and on weekends. I don't look at it again until I'm back at work. If you prefer to call me, my office phone and preferred number is 720-423-4843. Please add it to the contact information you have for me. Thanks.

​Things to talk to your student about in May

• It's the start of hail and thunderstorm season. This is a good time to review outdoor weather safety lessons. Did you know that Colorado ranks near the top in lightning related deaths? Click here to find out why. In and around Denver, the siren alert system is used during tornado season, but newcomers might not be aware what it is. Click here for more information about that.

• Cinco de Mayo is May 5, but in Denver, it's celebrated all weekend.​ In Colorado, Cinco de Mayo is more a celebration of Mexican culture than an actual commemoration of the Battle of Puebla.
• Ramadan begins this Sunday, May 5. If your student is Muslim, she/he may decide to take off from lessons for the entire month (Ramadan wraps up approximately June 4). During Ramadan, observant Muslims do not eat or drink anything from dawn to dark. There is usually a lot of work around meal preparation late in the day. Some people are exempt from the rigors of Ramadan observance (elderly, pregnant, children, ill). Click here for an excellent explainer about Ramadan.
• Mother's Day is Sunday, May 12. Call your mom.
• Memorial Day is Monday, May 27.
• Schools are out: Denver Public Schools let out on Friday, May 31. Aurora and Adams county (Thornton/Northglenn) schools are finished on May 23. Cherry Creek Schools let out on May 24. Please note that once schools are out, this may impact when you are able to schedule lessons with your student if she/he has children.

That's all for this month. Don't forget to report your hours!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScpudjHo4VV3RCyry8v_ogxbZaBniXl5FXuMYC-4xdlgAwu9w/viewform

Need to report your tutoring time?

If you are a current in-home tutor in our program and you haven't yet reported your March 2019 tutoring time, click here to go to the survey. 

As a reminder, we need your hours before the 5th of the month every month. Thanks!

How you can help refugees coming into the U.S.--Syrian or otherwise

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