Pocantico Recognizes Students’ Successes in Learning English

Each year, Pocantico Hills School celebrates current and former English Language Learners for their hard work learning a new language and culture.

On May 25, administrators, parents and members of the Student Government Association joined the students who are non-native speakers to recognize their achievements.

“The reason we do this every year is we want to celebrate all of your accomplishments,” said English as a New Language teacher Joy Scantlebury, who hosted the party with school librarian Anne Gordon. “It’s not easy when you speak more than one language because you’re really doing double the work. You’re translating; you’re going back and forth between the two languages.”

Ms. Scantlebury posted a collage of flags and people from the 14 countries the students and their parents are from, saying they are all global citizens. The countries of origin for the students are Bangladesh, Chile, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, India, Japan, Korea, Libya, Mexico, Peru and the Philippines.

Superintendent Carol Conklin-Spillane said she is impressed every day that the non-native speakers learn English as they study the same content as all the other students. “Every time I get frustrated with something I’m charged with learning, I just sit and think about all of you, who have to do that while you’re learning English as a second language, and you inspire me,” she said.

This is the fifth year Pocantico has held the luncheon for students. For the past few years, the Pocantico Hills Student Government has contributed funds toward the cost of the food. This year, Student Government members joined the current and former English Language Learners as they all enjoyed lunch. They watched a short film with photos of the students in the program throughout the years.

Greenburgh librarian Diana Lennon gave a brief talk about the library’s resources for English Language Learners. She brought free books for the children, who also received gift bags with educational materials from Ms. Scantlebury.

Eighth-grader Lily Li said she didn’t know any English when she moved to the United States from China. She previously “graduated” from the English Language Learners program and will attend Briarcliff High School next year.

“Ms. Scantlebury was great,” Lily said. “She helped us with a lot. She was very kind.”

Adal Peña, who is from the Dominican Republic, knew little English when he started at Pocantico Hills at age 5. “I know a lot more now. I can speak with my friends now and ask questions in class,” he said.

Laura Loaiza moved to the United States from Colombia two years ago and has made great strides in learning English. She said school was “super difficult” when she started. Next year, she will attend Sleepy Hollow High School. “I want to be an engineer because I like to create new things,” she said.

The Student Government Association contributed funds and attended the event to honor the English Language Learners, who went through so much to get where they are now, said eighth-grader Aren Arduino, who is co-president of the organization with eighth-grader Ty Amsterdam.

“I think it’s nice every once in a while to show some appreciation for those who work a little bit harder than us,” Aren said.