APRIL 2006

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friends indeed Buddy system helps new immigrants learn BY JENNIFER KORAIL Think back to your first day of school. Remember the excited feeling you had while getting dressed and eating breakfast. How many new friends would you make this year? What new and exciting things would you learn about? You would dread the homework assignments and the exams, but look forward to field trips and other fun activities. However, with that excitement came the tiniest nervous feeling. Might classes be too difficult? Would the other students be friendly? Now imagine how worried you’d feel if you knew nothing about your new school. Imagine speaking a different language than all of the other kids, and wondering what they will think of you because you are different. These are feelings that many young Chaldean immigrants face every day. Newly immigrated students can have a very difficult time finding their place in American classrooms. A major challenge is the language barrier. Some Chaldeans might feel embarrassed or even scared to speak their native language in front of others, causing the barrier to only widen. IN THEIR SHOES Warren Consolidated Schools is doing something to tear down the barriers. Hatherly Elementary School has a buddy program that pairs older bilingual kids with younger students who are not yet comfortable with English. Bilingual teacher Mary Ward, who is Chaldean, knows exactly what it feels like to start a new life in a new world. She came to America when she was just 9 and remembers what it was like to be the new student. “I didn’t have anybody,” Ward recalled. “I know that when these kids start school, they are frightened. They need friends. They need someone to guide them and help them feel at home.” The buddies at Hatherly, a Blue Ribbon School, do an incredible job of welcoming and caring for new students. In fact, a number of current buddies were once new kids themselves. Ward said she can never forget one student who became a motherly Layla Aboosh (left), Lema Aboosh, Mary Ward, Raquel Shikwana and Farrah Jego buddy up. figure for two young girls who did not speak English. This student was once in the same situation and told Ward, “Don’t worry Mrs. Mary. I will be here for them.” Sarrah Jego, a fifth-grade bilingual student, is a buddy to Samar. Sarrah gives Samar directions, makes sure that she understands her assignments, and translates Arabic and English with her. “Samar feels very comfortable with me,” Sarah said eagerly. “I like her to be like a little sister to me.” SMOOTHING THE TRANSITION Buddies also help the new kids assimilate into the culture. They translate words into Chaldean and English, help them read and write, and point out new words and phrases. Some buddies even share their snacks and supplies with the new students and stick up for them. As fifth graders, buddies are not only helping prepare others to speak English, they are helping them reach their goals along the way. “This is our culture. This is how we are raised, to do whatever we can to help,” Ward proudly said of her students and culture. Ward has been a staff member at Warren Consolidated for 27 years and is extremely proud of the many students she has seen blossom before her eyes. She gives much credit to the teachers and staff at Warren, including the principals, aides and custodians for helping make Hatherly a safe, fulfilling learning environment for all. “Every child is special. Every teacher is special,” Ward said. “Everyone works really hard for the students.” However, she firmly believes that parents must actively participate in their children’s lives. She encourages parents to come to conferences and to visit frequently, even if they themselves have difficulties with English. “It’s okay to ask questions, to say, ‘What’s going on?’” Ward said. “We are going to have to work together for the children to succeed. My mother always said, ‘One hand cannot clap by itself. We clap together to make something happen.’” The buddies and community at Hatherly are doing a great job of clapping together, teaching each other to forget about the worries that come with learning new things. PHOTO BY LENA YONO 40 CHALDEAN NEWS APRIL 2006
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APRIL 2006

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