HELPING OTHERS TO ACCOMPLISH THE AMERICAN DREAM

On April 21, 2006 , Irving.Net, through its partnership in computer and English literacy, conducted its 3rd annual ESL (English as a Second Language) graduation ceremony. There were students enrolled in the program from Mexico , Cambodia , Cuba , and even Egypt just to name a few. These graduates that received certificates spent many hours both in the classroom where they participated in teacher directed instruction and also in the computer lab utilizing the computer based instruction. Used as a supplement in the computer lab was the highly talked about IBM Reading Recognition Software which Irving.Net was granted use of through its partnership with IBM. Many students have advanced as many as two (2) literacy levels since entering into the program.

Irving.Net has been instrumental in a variety of areas for so many of the students. For example, last year's graduate, Maria, who overcame many obstacles stemming from the illness of her son reenrolled in the program this year. Her English has improved so much that she has now secured better employment and wants to continue classes once again next year. She feels that she has now found a permanent family in Irving.Net which is a shared emotion of many of her classmates. There are students whose goal is to learn English so that they can successfully pass the citizenship exam and therefore share all aspects of the “American Dream” with every other citizen of this country. Since graduation, Abdalla and others have enrolled in computer training classes so that they can build the skills necessary to apply for various jobs. All of the students have vowed to always remain closely communicated so that they can continue to be that support mechanism for each other. The students have promised to continue their goals of life long learning and of accomplishing higher levels of English literacy within themselves, their families and their community. Irving.Net is so proud of all of these students and along with our partners, The Irving Independent School District, The Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce, The City of Irving, and North Lake College , we would like to send out a well deserved “congratulations” to these students.

Irving.Net would like to send out special thanks to Frank Brightwell, the manager of the Crystals Pizza, www.crystalspizza.com located on 183 and Beltline in Irving TX for supplying pizza and sodas for all of the graduates and their families.

I Fratellis on MacArthur Blvd. also graciously donated pizza. Irving.Net is dedicated to improving literacy within our students, families, and community. To become an Irving.Net volunteer, please call our office at (972) 273-6956.

CONGRATULATIONS 2006 ESL GRADUATES