Salem Public Schools Offering Free ESL Classes to Families Through DESE Grant
SALEM (Feb. 26, 2025) – One of the four core principles of the Salem Public Schools 2023-26 Strategic Plan is to empower educators.
The District is also empowering families.
Sixteen parents and caregivers attended the first session of Salem Public Schools Adult English as a Second Language (ESL) class Monday night at the Bates Elementary School.
Andre Fonseca, Director of Multilingual Learner Education at SPS, expects attendance to grow after Monday, something he and the ESL instructors welcome.
“We want to leave it open to those who could benefit,” he said. “Any family in the District who wants to learn English is welcome.”
The twice-weekly classes were made possible by the Multilingual Newcomer and Homeless Support Grant (Grant No. 0348) from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), which provides support for school districts impacted by an increase in new multilingual learners.
Funding varies based on the enrollment of multilingual learners and covers the costs of hiring instructors.
Consistent with the Strategic Plan core values – elevate learning, empower educators, center belonging and strengthen the foundation – Superintendent Dr. Stephen Zrike applied for the grant at the suggestion of parent/caregiver leaders in Latinos for Education, with which SPS works closely.
English is taught by Victoria Shams of the Latino Leadership Coalition and former principal at the Nathaniel Bowditch School, and Susi Hammond, former family engagement facilitator at SPS, both of whom are fluent in Spanish; and Megan Martins, a multilingual learner educator at Bates Elementary who is fluent in Portuguese.
The ESL classes, which continue through Wednesday, June 4, are expected to be offered next fall and spring at SPS contingent on the receipt of Grant 0348.
Salem’s parent/caregiver ESL class is one of several initiatives the District offers to multilingual learners. On five occasions each school year, the English Learner Parent Advisory Council (ELPAC) holds Multilingual Learner Family Nights and online sessions to check in regularly with families.
The next multilingual learner family night is Monday, Mar. 10 at the Saltonstall School (6-7:30 p.m.).
About Salem Public Schools
Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district in Salem, Massachusetts. Salem is a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Our leaders and our teachers are all passionate about education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement with equity and social-emotional needs as the lens we view all of our work through. We respect and value the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our students and their families, and have a strong commitment to the Salem community. Salem Public Schools staff serve all of our students, regardless of ability or language. Salem Public Schools enrolls approximately 4,000 students across its eleven schools.
