A Good Start to Introductory ESL

Thanks to a $4,000 grant from Tyson Foods, the PVLA has been able to offer an Introductory ESL class to students. The first class was held on March 21, and as of April 25, six weeks of classes have been offered.

We are at the halfway mark for this 12-week course.

And let me tell you: we can’t be happier with how things are shaping up!

Welcoming New Students

The first class welcomed 7 students, and many of them continue to attend to this day. Every week, there has also been at least one new student joining in on the fun. Currently, 9 students are attending regularly.

The lessons that students are learning include filling out forms, numbers, and the alphabet, among others.

The instructor, Alicia, has already seen progress in her students. She says that when the students first started, they weren’t able to understand the command “Read the directions” when spoken in English.

However, now when she asks them to do that task (in English), they are able to comply—and do so promptly. They also know what it means to fill their names into forms and the difference between “reading” and “spelling” when it comes to assignments.

Measuring Success

When it comes to ESL success, progress isn’t measured in leaps and bounds; it’s measured in small increments. The progress the students have made in the Introductory ESL class is incredibly exciting and encouraging. We can’t wait to see what the next 6 weeks bring!

Introductory ESL classes are held on Thursdays from 12:00 to 1:00 pm at the Family Resource Center (3020 18th St, Suite 4) in Columbus, Nebraska. Anyone can join at any time.

For more information about this class, please fill out the form on the right-hand side of this blog, send an email to pvlacolumbusne @ yahoo.com (don’t forget to remove the spaces!), or call 402-562-1463.

One Dollar Can Make a Huge Difference

If you read this blog with any regularity, then you may have noticed that I talk about snacks a lot.

If you are responsible for buying groceries in your household, then you’ve probably noticed that the cost of food has gone up.

Both of those are intertwined.

It may not seem like a huge thing to offer snacks to students. In some cases, it may seem frivolous or “extra,” especially with increasing food prices, but our students appreciate the gesture so much.

When a person is hungry, this increases fatigue and irritation. Hunger also has an impact on the amount of information the brain can retain. Fueling the brain and body is essential, which is why having snacks available for our students is incredibly important.

The Cost of Providing Snacks

In a typical week, the PVLA and CCC Adult Education sees approximately 200 students attending classes. Not all of these students eat a snack every week, but having them available is beneficial.

The cost of providing snacks, including granola bars, fruit snacks, chips, and water, among others, averages about $265.00 per month.

When the numbers are broken down, it becomes apparent that providing snacks for students each month is only about $1 per student—and that’s incredibly affordable.

The funding for these delectable treats comes from generous donors. In 2023, our Snack Sponsors included the following:

Tammi Gotschall

Larry and Vicky Barcell

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

Richard and Mary Lou Stamm

Dee Condon

Duane Matson

Sylvia Coffey

So far for 2024, our Snack Sponsors are the following:

Angie Biester

Richard and Mary Lou Stamm

In addition to our Snack Sponsors, our students also contribute to the Snack Fund. We have a jar in the snack corner, and students will contribute what they can. It all ensures that there are snacks to keep our students strong while studying.

$1 Truly Can Make a Difference

$1 may not seem like a lot, but it can provide one student with a snack—and that’s a pretty big deal. As the amount of the donation increases, the number of students that are impacted also goes up.

To become a Snack Sponsor, we ask that you make a minimum donation of $260, but if that amount seems out of range, anything you donate will ensure that students have the fuel they need to keep learning.

If this sounds like an opportunity you’re interested in pursuing, there are a variety of ways you can donate funds. You can head to our online donation site and choose an amount that fits into your budget.

We also have a PayPal donation site where you can become a Snack Sponsor.

Should you prefer the “old fashioned” method of sending a check, you can mail it to:

PVLA

3020 18th St, Box 3, Suite 4
Columbus, NE 68601

Snacks Make an Impact

It’s been said before, and I’m going to say it again: Food is a love language.

Despite the rising cost of groceries, it doesn’t take much to make a student’s day. For just $1, you can ensure they have a snack that will keep them focused while they are learning.

Got questions? Fill out the form on the right-hand side of this blog or send an email to pvlacolumbusne @ yahoo.com (don’t forget to remove the spaces).