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Content about 2011

June 19, 2011
Leslie's quinceanera

Once her Mass is complete, Leslie's celebration begins. The community gathers at a rented hall to mark her transition to womanhood.

Una vez que se da por terminada su misa, comienza la celebración de Leslie. La comunidad se reúne en un salón alquilado para celebrar su transición de niña a mujer.  — Bobby Michael

Quinceañera: An important rite of passage

By BOBBY MICHAEL

June 14, 2011
Children learn Spanish at home

Karen Childress plays UNO with her two youngest children at the kitchen table, while her eldest son reads a book. The little ones shout out the colors and numbers, drowning out the sound of their brother slowly but correctly pronouncing each syllable on the page.

Karen Childress plays UNO with her two youngest children at the kitchen table, while her eldest son reads a book. The little ones shout out the colors and numbers, drowning out the sound of their brother slowly but correctly pronouncing each syllable on the page.

It is Spanish time for this English-speaking family. Exercises like card games and books sharpen their knowledge of the Spanish language.

June 14, 2011
ESL classes offer support and community

The bell rings. Science Hill High School students crowd the hallways. Among them, five international students head to English as a Second Language class, where they learn American culture, improve their reading and writing skills, and get support for other courses.

The bell rings. Science Hill High School students crowd the hallways. Among them, five international students head to English as a Second Language class, where they learn American culture, improve their reading and writing skills and get support for other courses.

Wilber, a ninth-grader with a big smile and an even bigger personality, is one of five students in the second-period class. When Wilber’s family relocated here years ago, he stayed in Mexico with his grandparents. Recently he moved to Johnson City from San Juan Cacahuatepec, Mexico.

June 14, 2011
Quinceañera

Under the wooden rafters of Notre Dame Catholic Church in Greeneville, Tenn., a young girl walks slowly up the aisle on the way to her womanhood. She is flanked by her mother and stepfather, and she follows a procession of young ladies in slim red dresses and gentlemen in white Navy officer’s uniforms.

Under the wooden rafters of Notre Dame Catholic Church in Greeneville, Tenn., a young girl walks slowly up the aisle on the way to her womanhood. She is flanked by her mother and stepfather, and she follows a procession of young ladies in slim red dresses and gentlemen in white Navy officer’s uniforms. Her dress is bright red and voluminous. A silver tiara sits atop her head. Her name is Leslie, and today is her day; today is her quinceañera.

June 13, 2011
'Even Start' brings literacy home

Every morning as Mayne Beceria gets ready for school, so does her young daughter Melanie. Too young for kindergarten, the dark-haired, giggly girl goes to a special school — Johnson City Even Start.

Every morning as Mayne Beceria gets ready for school, so does her young daughter Melanie. Too young for kindergarten, the dark-haired, giggly girl goes to a special school — Johnson City Even Start.

“Oh, Mommy. Let’s go to my school, Melanie’s school!” Melanie tells her mother.

June 13, 2011
'TENNderCare' offers health care for uninsured children

Although free health care is available to all children, Hispanics are the least likely of all children in the United States to receive it.

Although free health care is available to all children, Hispanics are the least likely of all children in the United States to receive it.

One reason may be that they tend to be healthier. But another could be that language barriers and lack of transportation lead parents who don’t speak English to avoid waiting rooms.

June 12, 2011
Fun plus learning at 'Even Start'

Building blocks, stuffed animals and shelves upon shelves of children’s books fill this room full of laughter and play. For more than 10 years Even Start, located on 100 Dyer St. in Johnson City, has helped parents and children meet their educational goals.

Bloques de construcción, animales de peluche y estante tras estante de libros infantiles llenan esta sala colmada de risas y juegos. Por más de 10 años Even Start, situado en 100 Dyer St. en Johnson City, ha ayudado a padres y a niños a alcanzar sus metas educativas. — Kayla Thomas
 

‘Even Start’ brings education home

BY KAYLA THOMAS

Building blocks, stuffed animals and shelves upon shelves of children’s books fill this room full of laughter and play – a place called Even Start. In this small brick building, a dark-haired young girl sits on a bright blue and red rug while her mother describes their struggles with learning two languages. She tells how it has changed their life at home.

June 12, 2011
Growning up in a bicultural home

Johnny Rojas, whose family is from Mexico, is a senior in high school looking forward to his future. He says being bilingual can make it easier to find employment.

Sitting at his kitchen table, Juan Rojas, known as Johnny, smiles as his little sister runs around the table.  There are photographs throughout the Johnson City home of family members near and far.

Johnny, whose family is from Mexico, is a senior in high school looking forward to his future. Being bilingual can make it easier for him to find employment. Johnny said he once worked for a restaurant that needed someone who was bilingual, because some of the workers spoke Spanish.

June 12, 2011
Learning Spanish

"Children learning a foreign language use their brain in a different way," says Karen Childress of Jonesborough, who took her children to Bolivia for three months to immerse them in the culture and language.

"Los niños que aprenden un idioma extranjero utilizan su cerebro en una manera diferente," dice Karen Childress de Jonesborough, quien llevó a sus hijos a Bolivia por tres meses para sumergirles en la lengua y la cultura.  — Chelsey Bishop

Children learn Spanish at home

By COLLIN BROOKS

The growing rate of Spanish speakers and the cutting of Spanish programs in schools has inspired parents to teach their children the Spanish language.

Karen Childress, mother of three, and Dr. Jodi Polaha, mother of two, each joined a group of five families interested in exposing their children to the Spanish language. Each child is under the age of 6, and every week a different parent would teach a new lesson.

May 28, 2011
ESL Class

“Out there in their other classes, they’re often quiet and soft-spoken," says Science Hill High teacher Joe Hoffman. "In here, in ESL, they feel more comfortable ..."

“En sus otras clases, generalmente [los estudiantes] están callados y son tímidos al hablar," dice Joe Hoffman, un profesor en la Escuela Secundaria de Science Hill."Aquí en ESL, se sienten más cómodos ...”    — Brittany Shope

ESL students learn curriculum in a new way

By MELISSA MURRELL

English as a Second Language class is designed to give students from other countries the chance to learn the school’s curriculum, just in a different way.

According to the Johnson City School system, a district policy admits students regardless of their immigration status.

As some students are the first in the family to get an education, asking no questions makes it a safe environment for any student of any nation.