Staff Summer Picnic

Yesterday the staff gathered at Castle Island to enjoy the beautiful (but extremely hot) weather and celebrate the end of the year. The picnic was a huge success!  We found a shady spot with a fantastic cross breeze that was big enough for the entire staff to have a little shade. We ate delicious wraps from Haley House and hot dogs and lobster rolls from Sullivan’s!  Staff had a great time playing “Family Feud” and Trivia. I wouldn’t have expected quite so much “calling out” and so few “raised hands” from teachers! Staff also enjoyed the glow sticks and funny sunglasses that added a touch of whimsy.

It was such a fantastic way to bring a little closure to the school year but the respite won’t be for long! Summer classes begin next week for some of our ESOL students!

Thanks to all staff for feedback around the Development presentation this week! It’s so wonderful to hear all of your creative ideas. Stay tuned to the blog for further updates this summer!

The End of the School Year

We have reached the end of another school year! It’s been a week–long series of endings, beginning with our student picnic last week. It was such a bittersweet goodbye. We’re excited for the students who have completed their GED, students are moving up a level in ESOL or have earned their High School Diploma but we’re sad to see them go, at least for the summer! We’re looking forward to Graduation for our high school and GED students in September and some of our ESOL students will be back in July for our summer program!

The ESOL summer program will focus on vocabulary and computer skills (this is the big one for our students) among other things! When learning a new language, a 3 month break can be a detriment for the students so our ESOL summer program seeks to fill that gap. I know we will be so glad to start seeing students’ faces again in a few short weeks! 

2012 Annual Student Picnic!

Yesterday, NDEC students and staff celebrated the end of the school year during our Annual Student Picnic! Due to the unpredictable weather this past week, the picnic was held in the building. The student lounge was converted in to a buffet and bingo room. Other classrooms provided space for a variety of fun activities. Students and staff alike had a great time talking and playing games together. Students especially loved the Musical Chairs game and Bingo!

It was so much fun to watch the students and staff enjoying musical chairs! We have some very good dancers here! Bingo drew the most crowds and students won a lot of prizes. Another favorite was a soccer challenge in our long hallway. To win, you had to kick the ball down the hall and under a chair, which served as a small goal. We discovered that some of our students are talented soccer players, others, including some staff members, are not.

It was such a great day! It’s always nice to see the students and staff relaxing and enjoying each other’s company after a long school year!

New England Eye Institute Will Visit NDEC on Monday!

This Monday, June 4^th, the New England Eye Institute will be visiting NDEC to provide screenings and further care for our students. They last visited us in March and provided screenings. They’re back to give those students that require more services a more comprehensive eye exam. What a fantastic program! The New England Eye Institute “NEE On-Sight” van provides eye screenings and care at many different locations including schools and senior centers. They go to the people who need them most!

Their mission is to provide “eye care accessibility to all”. They provide a variety of services including eye exams, eye glasses, low vision rehabilitation including occupational therapy and case management. We really appreciate their willingness to visit our students and give them quality care! We especially thank Jennifer Kaldenberg from the New England Eye Institute for helping us to coordinate this follow-up visit.

It’s so difficult for our students to learn in class and find good jobs when they suffer from eye-sight related difficulties. How wonderful that the N.E.E. Institute can come to them! We look forward to having them on-site with us this coming Monday!

ABE Showcase a Success!

Thursday was the MCAE’s ABE Showcase at the State House. It was so wonderful to meet with other ABE providers and legislators who are passionate about providing opportunities for adults to continue their education.  Representative Alice Peisch spoke briefly about the importance of adult education in the state of Massachusetts and later, MCAE honored Representative David Nangle as the Legislator of the Year. MCAE also honored two students who have overcome many obstacles and great odds to succeed. One student, who was previously incarcerated, will be attending college next year and majoring in human services. Another student finished ESOL courses and has attained her C.N.A. certificate. She is now studying for the G.E.D. and hopes to someday become a nurse.

It was truly an inspiring day. The NDEC students who attended had a great time touring the State House and “manning” our table. Thanks to everyone who helped out!

Massachusetts Coalition for Adult Education Showcase

This Thursday, May 17^th, the Massachusetts Coalition for Adult Education or MCAE will be hosting a Showcase at the State House. Adult Basic Education programs from every corner of the state will gather together to meet and speak with legislators about the importance of programs like NDEC!

The Showcase will also feature an Outstanding Student Award and Special Recognition Awards. What a special opportunity to recognize a student! Many students come to school to learn English or attain their G.E.D. while they also work hard to hold down a job and support their families. They truly understand the value of a quality education!

We at NDEC are excited about the idea of meeting with our local legislators to explain why our program is so successful and why our students matter so much. Our students attain their G.E.D. and go on to attend a host of different universities and colleges including Brandeis, Boston College, Roxbury Community College, Bunker Hill Community College and UMASS Boston. Some have even traveled across the world to come to America for a better life. They are a few of the 912,310 immigrants that currently live in Massachusetts. They learn English, get their Citizenship and G.E.D. and change their lives. Without programs like NDEC, our students would struggle to build their confidence and self-esteem. Attending school every day, working collaboratively with passionate teachers in small class settings and finding meaningful, gainful employment helps our students to not only succeed but thrive.

We’re so glad to have the opportunity to share their stories and talk about our program. We hope to see you there!

Social Media gets a Re-boot at NDEC!

Facebook and Twitter have a brand new look! Please check them out at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Notre-Dame-Education-Center/53875917072 and https://twitter.com/#!/NDECBoston. Make sure to “Like” our page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter! Make sure to update your privacy settings if you wish your personal information to remain private. You can be access your privacy controls through your Facebook Settings.

This Blog will also be changing things up starting next week. Expect stories about our students and our Center as well as stories about Adult Basic Education, ESOL and changes to the GED. This is a pivotal moment in the United States for public and private education alike. Read this Blog to stay informed on the discussion. Remember, your support makes a difference!

If you have ideas for topics and stories for this Blog, send me an email at ngerety@ndecboston.org!

2012 Hope Alive Gala a Success!

Thank you to all of our friends, volunteers, students and staff who joined us for our 2012 Hope Alive Gala. What an inspirational evening! Students told us stories of their accomplishments, their dreams and the teachers that motivate and support them. Our Mary Shaughnessy Inspiration Awardees Ann Marsney-Berkeley and Charles MacLaughlin reminded us of the reason we support and believe in the students and staff of NDEC. Ann’s and Charles’s stories, so passionately told, were perfect examples of the culture of our Center. It truly is a place for students and staff to connect and grow together to make dreams come true.

We need friends like you more than ever! Education is the critical ingredient for success for our students. Thank you for your support. You make a difference! 

2012 Hope Alive Gala Next Week!

Our 20^th Anniversary Hope Alive Gala Event will be next Thursday, April 12^th from 6:00-9:30 pm at Venezia’s Restaurant in Dorchester. Jordan Rich of WBZ Radio will be on hand to lead us through the evening’s program during which we will honor our Mary Shaughnessy Inspiration Award Recipients Ann Marsney-Berkeley and Charles MacLaughlin and recognize our Honorary Host Committee members: Mayor and Mrs. Menino, Senate President Therese Murray and Atty. Jeanne McKnight! We look forward to listening to the stories of our students, a delicious dinner and a unique Silent Auction with some items donated by our staff! Donna Pomponio, our High School Diploma Program coordinator, will paint a beautiful pet portrait for the lucky winning bidder and one winner will go home with a beautiful hand carved giraffe statue made by Charles MacLaughlin, high school teacher and honoree!

We’re so excited to kick off our 20^th Year with students, staff and friends of Notre Dame Education Center! Get ready for a fun-filled evening among friends!

Save the Date for our Hope Alive Event!

We anticipate a joyful Gala Celebration for our 20^th Anniversary!

 

Please look for more details in mid-February about the evening’s events and festivities!