ESOL teachers, Nancy Beisser and Barbara Burgess have initiated two service learning projects that benefit new students and students learning the English language or needing a little extra help with academics. Bi-lingual students that are recommended by a teacher can be trained to be "orientation guides". These students help orient new students to Calhoun Elementary School. They are responsible for taking new students on a tour of the school and introducing them to key personnel. Through these students their fellow classmates are made more comfortable and better able to fit into the daily routine of the school.
The orientation guide explains the basic rules for behavior in the hall, at recess, at lunch and before/after school. Guides take new students to the cafeteria, office, bathrooms, library, playground and gym. They also introduce new students to the principal, secretary, custodian, librarian, school nurse and school counselor. Students are trained at the beginning of the year by Mrs. Beisser and Mrs. Burgess.
Another service program involves students recommended by teachers to be Peer Tutors. Peer tutors are students that speak only English and are selected because of their excellent work ethic and responsibility in the classroom. They assist students in the classroom that may be just learning English through learning games that are taught to them in ESOL meetings. These students are trained throughout the year. Games like "twenty questions", flash card games and number games are taught, and each peer tutor has their own supply bag with all the learning tools and game pieces they will need. "These students take their appointment as guides or tutors very seriously," according to Mrs. Burgess. "They also have lots of fun sharing their knowledge and helping another student."
ESOL teacher Nancy Beisser is showing peer tutors how to use flash cards to play learning games. Each tutor receives a bag that contains game pieces, flash cards and other aids for learning.
Orientation guides for third grade are: Elizabeth Ambris, Eric Garcia, Laura Garcia, Natalie Guzman, Omar Jacobo, Evelyn Lopez, Janel Lopez, Kimberly Orellana, Viatris Ortiz, Susan Pegneious, Alex Salgado, Nicole Sanabria, Bianca Sanchez and Jason Sosa. Fourth grade orientation guides are: Jordan Fuentas, Emanual Gurrusquieta, Nataly Lopez, Danny Lopez, Maurio Palma, Abraham Pancheco, Kimberly Reyes, Juan "J J" Salazar, Branda Taramillo and Luis Vasquez. Fifth grade orientation guides are: Victor Ambris, Yaneth (Janet) Barragon, Marco Castillo, Joshua Herrera, Danny Monde, Jennifer Pacheco, Donae Quintos, Ana Rivera, Iris Sanchez and Christian Vasquez.
Peer tutors for 3rd grade are: Rachel Gomez, Todd Jackson, Luke Jones, McCartney Kessler, Chai Mailon, Alexis Nalley, Leah Prather, John Roberts, Bryn Robinson, Ashton Smith, Kelan Stepp, Ashlyn Thornton, Courtney Williams and Levi Young. 4th grade: Catlin Bennett, Jake Briggs, Spencer Budzius, Austin Cherry, Hannah Gravitt, Taylor Hudson, Olivia Hull, Isabella Ratliff, Katy Rose Rawls and Jiren Wilson. 5th grade: Hannah Dodd, Olivia Guthrie, Breanna Johnson, Sadie Llop, Drew McCracken, Kerri Parker, Blair Spector, Chantelle Waddell, Tamia Wade and Aurelia Williams.