La Campana
Spring 2013
Center For Language Assessment shares news of
Bethlehem Area School District’s ESOL program,
English for Speakers of Other Languages
http://www.bethsd.org/esol/
A Note From Our ESOL Director:
In reading La Campana, I realize that the Bethlehem Area School District is
extremely fortunate to have so many talented teachers who promote excellence in
learning. Their students are their priorities, and student success is the fuel that
energizes these teachers’ commitment.
This year, the ESOL department will bid farewell to five fabulous ESOL teachers. These five retirees have collectively taught for 186.63 years and have shaped the lives
of approximately 5,226 students. WOW! Some of these very students will be high school
graduates this year and because of our retiring teachers will be able to pursue their
dreams. I congratulate our current 2013 graduates and our five, fabulous ESOL
teachers who will start new chapters in their lives. I wish them only the best of what
life has to offer! You will be greatly missed, but you can be assured that you leave with
this knowledge as stated so eloquently by Harriet Tubman, “Every great dream begins
with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience,
and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” For our retiring
teachers, you have changed the world, and for our graduates…
the sky’s the limit! Reach for your star!
Doris Correll
BASD ESOL/
St. Luke's Univ.
Health Network
Congratulations to
these ESOL
students who have
successfully
completed the
ESOL School- to
Work program at
St. Luke's
University Health
Network.
School-to-Work Past & Future
The 2012-2103 students of the ESOL School-to
Work program at St. Luke's University Health
Network welcomed the 2013-2014 students at a
breakfast at LHS. A program alum, Victoria
Montero, is the coordinator of Adolescent Career
Mentoring Programs. Watch for her and our STW
students in the Northampton Community College
TV commercial. You can also find it at:
We ♥ Our ESOL Health Care Workers!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyttiNIbgik
Leadership Day
at Lincoln
On Friday, May 3rd,
Lincoln held Leadership
Day. Students showcased
their "Leader in Me" skills
by sharing culture and
information about
different countries.
Shivna Tailor in grade 5
created this bulletin board
about India. She proudly
displayed a sari which is worn on special days. As
many as 200 guests came through our school with
passports. Students stamped passports as they greeted
guests.
Where was the teacher of those three
scholars/Spanish tour guides in the Lincoln
hallway? Their teacher is Mrs. Bosak, and
she was in the classroom mixing pitcherafter-pitcher (10 in all!) of Simply Sangria
to keep up with the thirsty visitors .
¡Visit
a!
Españ
We ♥ Our
Exited
Students,
Too!
Sheila
Guerrero won
the Freedom
House of
Business
award for the
Most
Outstanding
Cooperative Education Student. She was
very surprised and happy when presented
with the certificate at an award ceremony.
Her award was announced at graduation,
and she will also receive a small cash award.
Sheila said her mother was going to be very
proud of her.
Wilmary Maldonado and Trinidy Diaz Ruiz
are explaining the
"Running of the Bulls"
to community partners.
The 3rd and 4th grade
ESOL students worked
on a bulletin board
about Spain. They
served Kid Friendly
Sangria and spoke to
guests about Spain.
They also handed out
recipes for the drink.
The Center for Language Assessment (CLA) Office is happy to announce.....
Hispanic Center
Lehigh Valley
recently held their
annual banquet and
honored Doris
Correll and Linda
Lopez. Doris,
Supervisor of ESOL
received the
"Outstanding
Educator Award",
and Linda received
the "Orgullo
Hispano" award. Linda Lopez, CLA Administrative Assistant
Doris Correll and Mary Colon
Other community award winners
were also recognized by the
Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley.
The Center is located at 520 E.
4th Street. Inside is the Basilio
Huertas Senior Center, Youth and
WIC (Women, Infants, and
Children) program, and a Food
Pantry. For more information,
please call 610-868-7800 or go to:
http://www.hclv.org/
Banquet Fun: Doris Correll and Vivian Robledo
Multi-Talented
Language Guide
Mariangeli Vasquez,
Language Guide at
James Buchanan and
Admin. Asst. at Center
for Language
Assessment, will soon be
a recording star. She will
be the reader of the
Three Kings Day poem
on the upcoming CD
from The Bach Choir of
Bethlehem. Watch for Mariangeli Vasquez's voice will be
the next edition of La heard as the poetry reader on the
Campana for the story! upcoming CD to be released by the
Bach Choir of Bethlehem.
We ♥
trophies!
I know
what that word
means!
This is
what "proud"
looks like!
Oh......the
stress!.
Don't
worry. It
will be
okay.
Let
the games
begin!
You
feed, I'll watch
PVO.
Yeah!
Girls' Day
Out at
PVO!
Our
ESOL kids are so smart!
Fountain Hill + Medals = Smiles
Okay,
PVO PVO PVO PVOteam,
PVOlet's
PVO
show'em
PVO PVO PVO PVO PVO
what PVO
TJ can do.
PVO PVO PVO PVO PVOLet's
PVOgo!
PVO PVO PVO PVO PVO PVO
PVO PVO PVO PVO PVO PVO
PVO PVO PVO PVO PVO PVO
PVO PVO PVO PVO PVO PVO
PVO PVO PVO PVO PVO
PVOPVO PVO PVO PVO PVO
PVO PVO PVO PVO PVO PVO
PVO PVO PVO PVO
PVO PVO PVO PVO PVO PVO
PVO PVO PVO PVO PVO PVO
PVO PVO PVO PVO PVO PVO
PVO PVO PVO PVO PVO PVO
Middle School Middle
School Middle School
Middle School Middle
School Middle School
Middle School Middle
School Middle School
Middle School Middle
School Middle School
Middle School Middle
School Middle School
Middle School Middle
School Middle School
Middle School Middle
School Middle School
Middle School Middle
School Middle School
Middle School Middle
School Middle School
PVO PVO
PVO PVO
PVO PVO
PVO PVO
PVO PVO
PVO PVO
PVO PVO
PVO PV
PVO PVO
PVO PVO
PVO PVO
PVO PVO
PVO PVO
PVO PVO
PVO PVO
PVO PVO
PVO PVO
PVO PVO
PVO PVO
PVO PVO
PVO PVO
PVO PVO
PVO PVO
PVO PVO
PVO PVO
PVO PVO
PVO PVO
PVO PV
PVO PVO
Student/Author/Rapper/Basketball Player PVO PVO
PVO PVO
Victor Cordova, 9th grader at Colonial Academy PVO PVO
PVO PVO
is turning his life around , wrote a book, and
signed copies of his book at an event at the
school. In "Victor's Rap" he writes:
"Everything is possible; just give it your best.
Don't show fear when your heart's
banging on your chest."
PVO PVO
PVO PVO
PVO PVO
PVO PVO
PVO PV
PVO PVO
Fond Farewell: Spotlight on Mrs. Blazusiak
Birthplace: Allentown, PA
Family: Jean Brigo (mom) Tom Brigo (Brother), Joe Fulfs (fiance) , John Blazusiak (son), Kate Blazusiak (daughter-in-law) Hannah (granddaughter)
Where have you lived and for how long: Salisbury Township for 30 years, Allentown before that
Mrs. Blazusiak's Education:
Grade School: Sacred Heart in Allentown
High School: Central Catholic in Allentown
College: Kutztown University
Post-College: Kutztown University
# of Years Taught (total): 38 years
# of Years Taught in BASD: 20 Years
Schools/Subjects/Grades Taught: Spanish (Central Catholic High School)
Spanish ( Lehigh Carbon Community College)
ESOL For Adults in the Bethlehem Community for BASD
ESOL at Donegan
What has changed since you began? Everything
What has stayed the same since you began? Teaching, especially ESOL,
is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life
What are your plans for retirement? Babysit for my
granddaughter, Hannah, spend more time with my
mom, enjoy time with my friends, and travel more
Favorite teaching experience: Watching ESOL Pre-production
students go from being shy and afraid to speak to teachers and
other kids to blossoming into confident speakers of English with lots of friends and
speaking to their teachers like all the other children in the class is very rewarding. It's just great to watch how quickly they learn.
One more thing to share:
The friends I've made here at BASD will be friends I'll keep for years to come.
Fond Farewell: Spotlight on Mrs. Gabriel
Birthplace: Detroit Michigan
Family: 1 brother, Don; 2 children: Brian and Dan
I have lived in Laurys Station, Pa for 20 years
Elementary school: Buchanan, Clearview Middle school: Nitschmann, High School: Liberty and Freedom College: Shippensburg University
Grad school: Lehigh University and Moravian College
My Teaching History: 40 years; Preschool-8th grade.
BASD: 35.67 years; Holy Infancy, Buchanan, Farmersville, Calypso,
Asa Packer, Hanover; ESOL K-8th, 3rd and 4th grades, Kindergarten
What has changed: The increased use of technology.
What has not changed: The dedication of the teachers
doing what they really were meant to do---teach.
Plans: travel, volunteer, learn something new
I have great memories of students and colleagues and
the friendships we shared-- including meeting my husband
at my first teaching assignment.
Here are excerpts from a favorite poem of mine:
A Teacher's Creed
I believe I have been called by God to teach.
I believe in children...young and old...black and white, many colors...rich and poor,
diverse....each in need of learning.
I believe I have the power to lead those in need of learning
to the threshold of their own minds.
I believe in my giftedness to use each of the tools available no matter how new
or old..for the light of knowledge in the eyes of another is my goal.
.I believe the love I give to my students will someday be reflected in their lives.
I believe the gift of teaching is not measured simply by marks, enrollment,
or the end of the school year.
I believe if I have taught and touched one person...
I have used my gift to me justly..and can humbly say...
I believe in teaching....
I AM A TEACHER!!
-Author unknown
Fond Farewell: Spotlight on Mrs. Rodriguez
Birthplace: Puerto Rico
Family: One daughter, one son, four grandchildren
Grade School and High School: Colegio Santa Cruz
(Catholic Private School)
College: University of Puerto Rico
Post College: Immaculata College
Total of years taught: 42
Years taught in BASD: 26.5
BASD Teaching Position: Broughal Middle School 7th & 8th grade
A few highlights:
1997: helped to develop a play based on Puerto Rican folklore at Broughal
with Touchstone Theatre.
1997: invited and hosted Pittsburgh Hall-of-Famer baseball player Roberto Clemente’s
widow, Vera Clemente, at Broughal. His widow, Vera Clemente, spoke to the Broughal
students, telling them that her husband was proud of his heritage and worked hard to be
an example for all Latinos. Over 200 people attended the event.
2001: as ASPIRE coordinator at Broughal, she directed a show. "My
students came to me and wanted to have an assembly to showcase
their dancing," Rodriguez said. "But I told them that we couldn't
just dance. We had to put some meaning into it.
What has changed since I began: Since I began teaching in BASD,
most students with special needs are included with regular
students. There are more extra curricular activities. Broughal has a Family Center to
help kids and parents with special needs and to encourage the
community to become more involved.
My plans for retirement: Spend quality time with my family
and quiet time with myself.
Fond Farewell: Spotlight on Ms. Thrash
Birthplace: Hazleton, PA
Family: Brother - Brad, Daughter - Victoria Chiem from Vietnam,
Son - James from Peru
Where have you lived: Hazleton, PA for 12 years, Lansdale, PA for 6
years, Recife, Pernambuco Brazil for 3 years, Lehigh Valley for 35 years
Ms. Thrash's Education History
Locust St.
Elementary
in Hazleton
North Penn
High School
in Lansdale
Bloomsburg
University
Kutztown
University
and DeSales
University
Number of Years Taught (total): 38 Number of Years Taught in BASD: 35
Schools/Subjects/Grades Taught: Escola American do Recife - Kindergarten and Gr. 4,
BASD: Gr. 3-William Penn, ESOL Gr. K-9 at Donegan Elementary, Marvine Elementary,
Fountain Hill Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Broughal & Northeast Middle Schools
What has changed? Since I began teaching in BASD, ESOL has changed from bilingual transitional - regular education to inclusionary instruction. which has allowed our
students to thrive in "mainstream" classes while maintaining their bilingualism.
What has stayed the same since you began? The dedication that our ESOL teachers
have to our ELLs and their families has always been evident.
What are your plans for retirement? I hope to become an adoption escort / companion
to unite children with forever families. Some day I would like to move to Panama,
and I pray that I'll have grandchildren.
Favorite teaching memories: Early in my career I had a boy who had spent his first five
months in America without uttering a word. Other students were sometimes
reluctant to speak. However, I had never experienced such a long silent
period until this child entered my life. I was quite concerned until the day he
raised his hand and began explaining the process of growing flowers from
seed to bloom. I realized that he was like a sponge absorbing every detail.
No longer fearful of being misunderstood, he chose when he was ready. Favorite humorous teaching memory: Barbara was a little German girl in my kindergarten
class when I did my student teaching in Brazil. Every day she would grab my hand
and say "Ich liebe Sie, teacher, Ich liebe Sie!" Not knowing German and only able
to read her intonation, I thought she was saying, "I have to go
to the bathroom, teacher, I have to go to the bathroom!"
Every day I would lead her to the bathroom. When I met her parents
and told them, they giggled and told me that Barbara was saying,
"I love you, teacher, I love you!"
As I leave teaching I want to say, "I love you, children, I love you!"
Fond Farewell: Spotlight on Mrs. Lucrezi
Birthplace: Borger, Texas
Family: Fred, husband; Anthony, son
Sisters: Mary Ann, Virginia, Carole, Cathy
Mrs. Lucrezi's Educational Background
St. John's
Elementary
School-Borger, TX
Phillips
High
School-Phillips, TX
Texas Tech
UniversityLubbock,
TX
Lehigh
University;
Universidad
de Turabo
BASD
1977-2007: Donegan Elementary Sheltered English, Gr. 3; Gr. 1,2,5;
FLES (Foreign Languages in the Elementary School); Reading Recovery;
ASPIRE Touchstone Theatre Don Quixote Project
2007-2009: Regional Academic Standards Academy, Read 180, Physical Education, ESOL
2008-2013 Language Evaluator/District ESOL (Nitschmann, Colonial
What has changed? In 1977, Donegan sat high on the hill, and we had
'pods' with no walls, instead of classrooms with walls. Halloween was a
special time of year. We marched in the city parade on Sunday and
always hoped and prayed that all of the students would make it back on
the bus for the ride back to school. (We never did lose anyone!) On the
day of Halloween at school, students went home at lunch for an hour
and a half to put on costumes for the parade and party in the afternoon. Teachers
stayed at school and had a BIG buffet lunch before we dressed up in costumes for the
afternoon's festivities. In 2000, the old Donegan was demolished and the new Donegan
was built at the foot of the hill. Halloween isn't celebrated the way it used to be.
What hasn't changed? The challenge of trying to find a way to connect the new
material to be learned to what a student already knows, and the rewards
of seeing a student make those connections never gets old!
A favorite teaching memory? I have great memories about José, Jessica,
Angel, Christhia, Brenda, Victor, Jesus, Jack, Patricia, Miguel, etc., but
they could fill a book. Therefore, I will share something that will fit on
this page: ESOL Power Vocabulary Olympics. It has been completely
thrilling to see our ESOL students all come together and compete in PVO. Seeing their
enthusiasm and pride in showcasing their new vocabulary is priceless. ¡Viva PVO!
Retirement Plans: Kitchen & yard adventures with my husband, see our son graduate
from college, travel, play tennis, teach Young Playwrights Lab, have fun 365 days a year
with my family and friends, and return for PVO 2014!.
Summertime Free Fun!
Books! Books! Books! @ Bethlehem Area Public Libraries
North Side: 11 West Church Street Bethlehem, PA 18018 (610) 867-3761
South Side: 400 Webster Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015
(610)867-7852
Have you seen the bookmobile? It is a library on wheels!
Look for it in your neighborhood:
Mondays: Hanover Township
Tuesdays: Bethlehem Township
Wednesdays: Fountain Hill
Thursdays: Westgate Mall
Free Saturday Morning Family Entertainment
Peas & Qs 11 a.m. Saturdays
Steel Stacks
former site of
Free Books!
The Reading Room
Northampton
Community
College
South Side Campus
Bethlehem Steel
Wednesdays 11 AM - 7 PM
Some Saturdays
http://www.artsquest.org/pages/details.php?53880
http://copsnkidslv.orgreading_room_html.html
Free Family Movies
in Bethlehem Parks
(All movies start
at sundown.)
June 8
The Sandlot
Northdale Park-City Line LL
Lansdale Ave.
June 25
Madagascar 3
Elmwood Park
Dellwood St.
July 9
Rise of the
Guardians
Higbee Park
530 Spring St.
July 16
Back to the Future
Clearview Park
Abington Road
July 24
Wreck-It Ralph
Bernie Fritz Park
Memorial Ave.
July 30
Jurassic Park
Friendship Park
East North St.
Read Books Online in the Summer
Ask your teacher for your password.
Go to Raz-Kids.com, and READ!
ESOL STAFF
IMPORTANT SCHOOL TIDBITS
IMPORTANTES BOCADILLOS ESCOLARES
Report Cards
will be mailed to the homes
Notas de Progreso
seran enviadas a los hogares
Doris Correll, Coordinator
Susan Lucrezi, ESOL Teacher/Evaluator
Carole Schachter, ESOL Teacher/Evaluator
Linda López, Secretary/Notary
Mariangeli Vásquez, Secretary
Asa Packer/Hanover
Diane Gabriel
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR
LIBERTY & FREEDOM
ESOL GRADUATES!!!!
We are so proud of you! We wish you much success and
best of luck in the future. Please keep in touch and
share with us all of the exciting events in your life!
If you are going to college, study hard.
If you are entering the work force, work hard.
Whatever you do, do it well.
For those students whose parents confirmed their
participation in our ESOL summer program at
Marvine and Northeast, the first day is:
MONDAY, JUNE 17th
fe
a
S
e
B
and
n!
u
F
e
Hav
Nitschmann
Susan Lucrezi
Buchanan/William Penn Calypso
Connie VanBlargan
Carole Schachter
Clearview Antonietta Velleca
Farmersville
Annette Zito
Fountain Hill
Danielle Frank
Michelle Sanchez
Mary Velez
Freemansburg
Olga Diaz
Kristine Maurer
Lincoln Michelle Bosak Suzanne Lutz
D
Miller Heights
Suzanne Lutz
Thomas Jefferson
Annette Zito
Broughal
Anthony Figueroa
David Miller
Carmen Perea-Cross
Ada Rodríguez
East Hills
Gary Schaefer
Sandy Thomas Freedom
Karen Lynn
onegan
Louise Blazusiak
Lorie Schwarzbach
Janice Williams
Governor Wolf
Leslie Thrash
Hanover
Diane Gabriel
Marvine
Karen Ohrem
Mary Velez
Donna White
Spring Garden
Jessica Drager
William Penn
Connie VanBlargan
Liberty
Diane Colom
Judith Danilovich
Samuella Donnelly
Antonio Marrero
Omar Porrata
Northeast
Thomas Mingora
Tracy Diefenderfer
Colonial Academy
Susan Lucrezi
BOARD OF SCHOOL
DIRECTORS
Michael E. Facchinetto - President
Michele T. Cann - Vice President
Basilio A. Bonilla Jr.
William J. Burkhardt
Irene Follweiler
Eugene C. Mckeon
Aurea E. Ortiz
Sudantha K. Vidanage
BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL
DISTRICT
Dr. Joseph J. Roy
Superintendent
Dr. Jack Silva
Assistant Superintendent of Education/Chief Academic Officer
Russell Giordano
Director for Human Resources
Dr. Dean Donaher
Director of Student Services
Janet Tate
Supervisor of Grants
Doris M. Correll, Coordinator English Acquisition Programs
NOTIFICATION OF NONDISCRIMINATION
It is the policy of the Bethlehem Area School District not to
discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex,
disability, color, age, religion, veteran status or any other legally
protected classification in its educational and vocational
programs, activities, or employment as required by Title VI,
Title IX, Section 504.
POLIZA DE DERECHOS IGUALES Y OPORTUNIDADES
El Distrito Escolar de Bethlehem no discriminará en sus programas educacionales,
programas vocacionales, 0 prácticas de empleos, basado en su raza, nacionalidad,
sexo, incapacidad, edad, religion, status de veterano u otras clasificaciones legales
protegidas. Esta notifiación esta de acuerdo con las leyes estatales y federales,
incluyendo Título VI, Título IX, Sección 504.
Type to enter text
BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
Center for Language Assessment
Northeast Middle School
1170 Fernwood Street
NON- PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
BETHLEHEM, PA
PERMIT NO. 504