The issues confronting schoolchildren who have a primary language other than English will be the topic of discussion at a Dwight Hall Urban Education Tea being held on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at 7 p.m. in the Dwight Hall library, 67 High St. Admission to the event is free, and the public is invited.
The featured speaker at the tea will be Lisette McGowan, supervisor of the Bilingual-English-as-a-Second Language Programs for New Haven Public Schools. She will discuss the goals and policies that shape the city's bilingual program and the ways that undergraduate volunteers are helping the children they tutor or mentor.
Currently, there are two Yale student-run programs designed specifically for Hispanic children: Estudiantes Unidos, a bilingual tutoring program at Dwight Elementary School, and Amigos, an after- school mentoring program for Hispanic youth from Fair Haven Middle School.
Yale student volunteers also work with many Hispanic children in city schools and after-school programs. Last year, more than 1,100 undergraduate volunteers worked with youth in New Haven as tutors, mentors and Big Siblings in programs focusing on everything from academics to art, science, the environment and community service. Currently 33 undergraduate-run service programs under the auspices of Dwight Hall operate at public secondary schools in New Haven.