ESL

The English as a Second Language Program (ESL) at Lead Mine elementary School provides students who know another language with an opportunity to learn English in a small-group supportive environment. Emphasis is put on whole language instruction including listening, speaking, reading, and writing. As a pull-out program students come to the ESL classroom for ESL class and the remainder of the school day is spent in the regular classroom with their peers.

The learning program used in Wake County Schools is “Avenues” by Hampton-Brown. This program is an inclusive program that incorporates phonics and phonemic awareness as part of the learning process. Each unit has two stories that can be fiction, non-fiction, or poetry. There are song components as well as opportunities to write. Another element of the ESL program is the Ellis computer program which is designed to teach English as a Second Language.

We have one part- time ESL teacher, Mrs. Maria Kaack, a Certified ESL teacher. She is available to facilitate communication in Spanish with parents who do not speak English. We also have other bilingual staff to assist with the needs of our community. Mrs. Kaack is a former Lead Mine fifth grade teacher with 21 years of classroom experience.

She is at Lead Mine 50% of the time on the following days: Tues./Thurs. and a half day Wednesday.

Parent participation is vital to the success of all students. We encourage parent participation in conferences and other activities in the school. Support is given to parents to assist them with completion of documents at the beginning of the school year and with any other concerns that they may have during the school year.

The ESL classroom is equipped with a telephone for parents to call if they have any concerns or questions. The telephone number is
919-676-5017. Messages are left on this telephone if there is inclement weather, emergencies, etc. Parents can also leave messages that will be responded to at our earliest convenience.

Lead Mine is proud of our diversity. We welcome students and parents who speak another language to our school community.

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