ESL/ABE Newsletter – Issue 31 – 5/3/2022
Stay Connected, Stay Learning! |
¡Sigue Conectado, Sigue Aprendiendo!
Sharpen the Saw!
A saw needs to be sharpened regularly if you want to cut through the wood! Your life needs a balanced program in all areas: physical, social, emotional, mental, and spiritual. You must keep your mind sharp! Your sharp mind needs to be ready for your quizzes, tests, and exams! Taking tests regularly allows you to understand your progress, how much you have accomplished, and how to plan your future program. You are the greatest asset you have, and like the rest of your possessions, you must take care of yourself!
Summer classes start in July!
 
Contact our Registration Team and register now! 

  • For ABE/GED® classes, contact Danie Thomas at (410) 829-6043 (text), or ged@chesapeake.edu.


Want to know more? Check our website:
CASAS Test
The Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems (CASAS) is the most widely used adult education competency-based testing system in the United States. CASAS monitors progress in reading, math, English language, writing, and work readiness skills. GED students take the CASAS Goals assessments, and ESL students take the CASAS Life and Work assessments. Students will take a Pre-test when registering for class and will be Post-tested periodically throughout the year.
Significance of Class Hours
Post-testing occurs after 40+ hours of instruction during a semester. Hours of instruction include class attendance time, and distant learning time on a learning platform like Burlington English, Essential Education, and Aztec Learning system. The pre-test score indicates a baseline individual level for class placement. The Post-test score indicates individual performance.
Significance of Class Attendance
It is extremely important that you regularly attend class to improve your performance. If you are not sure if you have 40 + hours of class time instruction, ask your teacher for your attendance hours.
Prepare To Test!
Be proactive! If you do not understand, ask. You can only improve when you begin to understand what you should be studying.  After being pre-tested, teachers receive individual skill (competency) sheets of their student’s achievements indicating the student’s academic strengths and weaknesses. If you are not sure what your skill weaknesses are, ask your teacher what skills you should be working on before your post-test. 

Begin with the end in mind! Use that knowledge to write a goal and write your individual study plan to reach that goal.  You want to improve on your baseline score to your post-test score
Sharpen the saw!  A dull saw does not cut. Therefore, as an adult student, you need to take care of yourself. Keep yourself sharp mentally and physically. Think of continuous improvement. Commit to a study schedule. Commit to an activity schedule (exercise, walk, dance, play a sport, etc.). Commit to a nutritious diet and adequate sleep. Commit to keeping yourself sharp. 
April Showers Bring May Flowers
Spring is the season to start digging in the dirt and planting a garden. It can be small or large so let’s get started with a small one first. Working outdoors in a garden reduces stress and improves one’s self-esteem (“For you, a bouquet of flowers I grew in my garden”). You can grow annuals and perennials in the same small garden, window box, or big pot. Annuals grow for a season and perennials regrow each year. Check the plant’s label to make sure you match the flower variety with the recommended sun or shade times. Common annuals are Cosmos, Impatients, and Zinnia. Common perennials are Lily of the Valley, Columbine Little Lanterns, and Phlox Blue Flame. These flowers bloom pink, white, orange, blue, red, and purple. Don’t forget to mulch around your plants, water, and fertilize as recommended on the label. So go refresh yourself, renew your spirit, and enjoy your small garden.
COVID Update
Chesapeake College is now masks optional. The College follows State and local guidance on this issue. For further information see: https://www.chesapeake.edu/peakestrong
Students of the Month Star Students
Blanca Martinez Prado
Instructor: Janeva Becker
Blanca is so eager to embrace the English language. She is one of the first in class, and always completes suggested follow-ups. She generously shares her completed work with her classmates to help them understand their tasks better. She is helpful and patient with her other students that need assistance, and often acts as a translator for teacher-student communication. Blanca is an amazing role model for others! 
Cristian Cardona Cardoza
Instructor: Janeva Becker
Cristian demonstrates a commitment to learn English. He comes to class smiling and helps his classmates regularly. His pronunciation and comprehension are improving dramatically. He is not afraid to ask for clarification from the teacher and communicates and helps the other students willingly. Cristian is an inspiration for dedication and positive attitude
Marcelina Villalta
Instructor: Cherry Moaney
Marcelina Villalta is an excellent student. She tested and went up 3 points. I know with her hard work she will get the next 3 points to make a measurable skills gain. Marcelina is a joy to have in class and a great role model for her classmates.
Olimpia Diaz Gonzales
Instructor: Ceres Bainbridge
Olimpia is a full-time mother of two small children. She had her younger one in December 2021. Despite being a busy mother, Olimpia rarely misses our virtual class and usually attends with her infant strapped to her back in the traditional style of her home country, Guatemala. Olimpia was a teacher there, and she hopes to someday be one in the United States, too.
Paloma Francine Nascimento de Freitas
Instructor: Beth Moyer
Please join me in congratulating Paloma Francine Nascimento de Freitas for being an amazing student! She is dedicated to her study of the English language. She attends classes regularly and on time. She participates in class and gives it her all. Her enthusiasm is contagious! I am proud to say you are one of the best!
"The more you read the more you know.
The more you learn, the more places you'll go."
– Dr. Seuss
Job Opportunities published by Chesapeake College
Learn how Easy it is to Register, Attend Classes, and much more!
The first statewide Tourism and Hospitality Job Fair in Maryland’s history will be held on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, from 9am – to noon.

Individuals seeking employment in these industries in Maryland will have the opportunity to meet virtually with employers from 19 Maryland counties, as well as Annapolis, the City of Baltimore, and Ocean City. For further information or registration:
Brain Game: A Rectangle Problem
Your driveway is 35ft long and 24 ft. wide. One tub of blacktop sealer costs $18.50 per tub and it covers 450 square ft. How much will it cost to seal your driveway with 2 coats of sealer? (Hint: after you find the area of your driveway, 35’ X 24’= 840 square ft., multiply the area by 2 which equals 1680 square ft. Then, solve the problem).
You can find the answers in our next issue!

TEACHER’S CORNER: Solution to last issue’s Brain Game:
Divide 23 by 25 to get 23 divided 25 = 0.92. Multiply by 100 to get 92%.
Share this Newsletter with your family, friends, and coworkers
so they can register for our classes too!
Next Edition: Welcome Summer!
June is all about students. Send us your best memory from this past school year! Is it a poem, a short story, amphotograph, a painting?

Please, email it to scilla@chesapeake.edu
Stay Connected, Stay Learning!
Brenda Horrocks
ESL and GED® Program Director
Chesapeake College
For more information, please contact:
Danie Thomas, ABE instructional & Intake Assessment Specialist at (410) 829-6043 or ged@chesapeake.edu.
Karen Luceti, Intake Assessment Coordinator at (410) 443-1163 or esl@chesapeake.edu.