Newcomers Newsletter – Issue 26

Students and a teacher sitting around a table

Thank You Teachers!

Teachers are very important. They help students learn reading, writing, and more. They also care about students and how they feel. Teachers listen, help with problems, and make students feel safe. In newcomer classrooms, students share their languages and culture. They are happy to work together. At Lincoln, Ms. Gleason, Ms Horn, and Ms Apte make learning fun and help students feel strong and happy. You can find Phoenix teachers, Ms Samit, Mrs. Ottesen, and Ms. Loftis working hard every day to help students grow and dream. On the other side of Kalamazoo at Loy Norrix, Ms Kruger, Ms Felix, and Ms Zabik are helping students learn and having fun, too.

We say thank you to all teachers for their help, kindness, and hard work. You are special! 


Headlines

Group Work and Presentation

In geography class, Ms. Loftis gives students worksheets with questions about pollution. After that, she asks them to work in small groups to answer a few of the questions together. To help them learn better, she allows the students to use tools like Google or AI to search for information and find the correct answers. 

When it is time to present, each group writes down their answers and explains them to the class. While presenting, they try to use simpler words or synonyms to explain any difficult terms. They also include pictures in their presentations to help others understand their ideas more clearly. 

This teaching method helps students learn in a deeper way. It breaks down complex topics into smaller, easier parts. It also helps students practice teamwork, research skills, and public speaking. Most importantly, it makes sure they truly understand the topic—not just memorize the answers. Thanks, Ms. Loftis! 

two students using their laptops
a girl pointing at the board

A student standing in front of a white board with writing

A student writing on a white board


Headlines

Library Time Fun 

Students in Ms. Gleason’s class are having so much fun reading their books in the library. Every Monday, the students go to the library. They are encouraged to choose books they like to read. 

The library is always a fun time of the day for the students. They can choose books they like and read with their friends on the blue carpet. They can read books at home with parents and siblings, too!

Many students enjoy reading picture books or graphic novels. They also like reading about sports, animals, and musicians. 

Students get to choose from many different kinds of books. The library has something for everyone! The library also has books in many different languages. Happy Reading!

 

hands holding books

standing next to a book shelf

Students seating down, listening to a teacher reading a book


Headlines

Talking Science

At Phoenix High School, students learn about the environment by reading, writing, and speaking using scientific words and phrases. Students present topics and share facts about glaciers, pollution, climate change, and more. They use pictures, draw diagrams, and create posters. They use technology, too. Students learn science better when they can see and talk about it.

Learn science words to talk about climate change with the high schoolers!

environment: natural features of a place like weather, land, animals, and plants

glacier: very large piece of ice that moves slowly over land

pollution: making the air, water, and soil dangerously dirty

climate change: long term change in temperature and weather

A student looking to the right, towards the white board


Teacher teaching and students watching

Students looking a a screen together.


Around Town

A Caring Classroom

Newcomer classrooms are welcoming. Students work together and make friends. They are a community. Students respect themselves and others. They listen to each other, and they listen to the teacher. Everyone knows learning English is hard work, so they help each other.

Teachers welcome all students. They are kind and hard-working. Most importantly, they set an example for the students to help each other learn and to try new things. Ms. Samit, at Phoenix High School, is a newcomer herself. When she shares her stories, students listen to her and learn from her experience. Her stories set an example and help students share their own stories.  Thanks, Ms. Samit!

Students sitting around their desks

Students standing up

Picture of teachers


Ads and Resources

Children’s Nature Playscape

302 Academy Street, Kalamazoo, MI, United States, Michigan 

https://www.kalamazooplayscape.org


Kalamazoo Public Schools Calendar

Logo of Kalamazoo Public Schools
DateActivities
May 16Lincoln Field Day Trip to K
May 26Memorial Day; All Buildings Close
May 28Loy Norrix Graduation
May 29Kalamazoo Central Graduation
May 30Phoenix Graduation
June 4KLIP Graduation

Contact and Acknowledgements

Lincoln Lower Elementary

Austyn Sabin
sabinA@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Lincoln Upper Elementary

Prajakta Apte
aptePS@KalamazoopPublicSchools.net

Lincoln Kindergarten

Courtney Horn
hornCB@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Milwood Middle

Kawther Mohammed
mohammedKS@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Phoenix High School

Mariam Samit
samitM@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Melissa Ottensen
ottesenMA@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Kalamazoo Central High School

Ayat Rizeq
rizeqAN@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Loy Norrix High School

Bright Egwim
egwimBO@Kalam9zooPublicSchools.net

Jen Kruger
krugerJL@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Julie Zabik
zabikJA@KalamazooPublicSchoofs.net

Oakwood Adult ESL

Maria Garcia
garciaMD@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Coordinator of Multilingual Services and World Languages

Dr. Wessam Abdelaziz
abdelazizWi@KalamazooPublicSchools.net

Acknowledgements

Teaching Volunteers

  • Angela Abdul-Nour
  • Emiliano Alvarado Rescala
  • Emma Becker
  • Camila Benavides
  • Magic Brouwers
  • Cate Cotter
  • Courtney Cotter
  • Hannah Crawford
  • Enrique Delzer


  • Nick Gouveia
  • Gerardo Herrera-Sanchez
  • Olivia Holmes
  • Hayden Johnston
  • Alondra Lopez
  • Lauren MacKersie
  • Anthony Mares-Viveros
  • Kimberly Martinez
  • Allie Nutt
  • Anna Phyo
  • Emily Tiihonen


Instructor

Candace Bailey Combs

Design Director

Kathryn Lightcap

Layout

Calia Scivally

Editor

Mphumelelo Khaba