See the calendar for details on current project schedules. Langley Park McCormick after school Arts/Reading program Adult ESL classes English Conversation Program Little Terps Co-ed Soccer Program Langley Park McCormick after school Arts/Reading program The after-school Art and Reading program allows volunteers from campus to work every Friday afternoon with elementary children outside of school hours on culturally and creatively enriching activities that the children can learn from and have fun with. We aim to help the students of Langley Park McCormick improve their prospects. Some details on the school: 22% of the students are classified as "limited English proficient" 100% of the students are classified Title 1, meaning that family incomes are very low the school's art program only lasts about a month out of the year, during which one teacher has to teach all 800 students test scores are extremely low compared with state standards many parents work multiple jobs, or don't speak English, so they cannot sit down and read with their children or help them with schoolwork Each session of the program consists of a free drawing segment, a reading segment, and a special project that will change from week to week. Planned activities include origami, a step workshop, musical instrument demos, sculpture, painting, and Indian and Israeli dance. No knowledge or experience with the arts is required of the volunteers from campus. We arrange carpools as possible, but the school is also within walking distance of stop #6 on the Adelphi South Shuttle-UM route. If you are interested in this project, please contact our Arts Coordinator at arts@beyondthesewalls.org. Adult ESL classes Prince George's County runs adult English as a Second Language classes for the community of Langley Park, where there are many people (the majority of whom are from El Salvador) with limited English skills. Unfortunately, the ESL classes are under-funded, and the teachers must turn away quite a few students and still end up coping with oversized classes. Beyond These Walls aims to help improve the ESL program by providing volunteers to bring the student to teacher ratio down to a reasonable level. Volunteers work with students at all levels of English proficiency from illiteracy up to basic writing. Spanish speaking volunteers are always a great help but there is no language requirment to help out. The students are generally very grateful for the help and it is a rewarding and unique experience. Try it and you'll see! ESL classes are held at the same location as the arts program, Langley Park McCormick Elementary (stop #6, Adelphi South Shuttle-UM). Please contact our ESL Coordinator at esl@beyondthesewalls.org if you are interested in this opportunity. English Conversation Program One of the best parts of ESL is the conversations we as volunteers have with the students. Unfortunately, there is not a great amount of time for relaxed conversation on ESL school nights. In response, we invite ESL students to campus for an evening of conversation with volunteers in small groups. Students get a feel of the University of Maryland and have an opportunity to practice English freely and comfortably. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact our ECP Coordinator at ecp@beyondthesewalls.org. Little Terps Co-ed Soccer Program Spring 2003 was the first semester of this free after-school program at Langley Park McCormick Elementary School. Over 40 kids, ages five to twelve, participated in a series of drills and games twice a week. BTW volunteers coached and organized the league. This semester, come join us on the soccer field. Contact our Head Soccer Coach at soccer@beyondthesewalls.org for more information. Beyond These Walls Mission Projects News Calendar Galleries Reflections Supporters Officers History Constitution Links Feedback