Forest Park, IL...Proviso Township High Schools District 209 will now offer English as a Second Language courses (ESL) at Proviso East and Proviso West High Schools in order to support student learning and ensure that students are able to excel in their home schools.

According to the 2000 U.S. Census, close to 1 in 5 United States citizens spoke a language other than English at home. While this does not imply that those people do not also speak English, the census found that roughly 10% spoke English either less than fluently or not at all. The primary language of these individuals was Spanish. Similarly, PTHS 209 has seen an increase in the number of students needing English language support.

ESL programs at PTHS 209 have advanced to meet the needs of young people in the community who must learn English in order to achieve educational proficiency standards.

“We are absolutely committed to making sure each of our children succeed to their full potential,” said PTHS 209 Director of Special Programs, Marianne Fidishin. “As part of that commitment, we are excited to introduce an ESL Program at Proviso East High School starting with the 2009-2010 school year. Offering the program at Proviso East and West allows students to learn in their neighborhood schools with their friends, familiar teachers, in a familiar environment. Students will receive the utmost support as they make this transition. We look forward to this new offering as an improvement and expansion of our district’s educational programming.”

In the past, most ESL students were served at Proviso West. But starting in August, all students will begin to participate in ESL courses at their home schools (seniors were given an option). Proviso East freshmen, sophomores, and juniors will return to study ESL at East.

If you have any questions about the ESL programs being offered at PTHS 209, please contact your student’s principal.  If you have further questions, please contact Ms. Fidishin at 708-338-5919.

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