ESL classes enhance community at Cy Falls HS

As a Cypress Falls HS graduate and former student at Truitt MS and Hairgrove ES, Cypress Falls HS AP Roberto Lopez recognized a need in the community to increase parental involvement with the Spanish-speaking population.

“I thought, ‘Why not offer parents something that will give them a reason to come to our school(s)?’” Lopez said. “I felt compelled to give back to the community and recognized this as that opportunity.”

Lopez arranged a partnership between Cypress Falls and the Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) to offer ESL classes that are free of charge and only require attendance.

The seeds for the program were planted in the summer of 2014, when Lopez met the HCDE coordinator at a training.

“I shared the vision of working on increasing parent involvement at Cy Falls,” he said. “We exchanged business cards and a few weeks later an HCDE representative was at our school. In the fall of 2014, we started with an informational meeting for all those parents interested in becoming involved in the program.”

With the support of his campus administrators and assistance of campus secretaries, hundreds of letters were sent home to inform parents of the upcoming classes.

Cypress Falls held a student orientation and registration in the spring of 2015. The unprecedented turnout resulted in eight to 10 classrooms filled to capacity with adults who either wanted to learn English or obtain their GED.

“In addition, HCDE has granted the staff at Cy Falls to incorporate topics related to successful communication between schools, students and parents,” Lopez said. “Last year during the classes, we presented two topics both in English and in Spanish. The parents were very appreciative.”

Classes for the current semester have already been filled, and Lopez said the age of participants ranges from teenagers to early 70s. Approximately 20 students signed up for the GED classes, with 80 registrants for the ESL classes.

“Many of the students have children that attend Cy Falls High School,” Lopez said. “A waiting list is already in place for next semester. Maybe this is one way to narrow the achievement gap?