After school Spanish at Hillsboro elementary
Staff writer
Hillsboro Elementary School started a Spanish class as part of its after school programs. The class was offered to students from second to sixth grade, and 36 kids signed up to take the language.
The school sent home a note in the Communicator asking for any volunteers to teach after school programs.
"Juana Prichard responded and it sounded wonderful," said Mike Moran, HES counselor.
Prichard is originally from Mexico City. She and her husband, John, have worked in Mexico City as missionaries through the Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church returning every three years. The couple and their children Katie, 10, and Jeffrey, 9, returned to Hillsboro in July and plan to stay. They will be working with young families and helping with Christian education at Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church.
"I wanted to use what I have, and I thought I could teach Spanish to the kids," said Prichard.
Some of the kids already know some Spanish, according to Prichard, but she hopes that the kids will at least come away with knowledge of most common words.
"This age is one of the best ages to learn," said Prichard.
On the first and second of November Day of the Dead is celebrated in Mexico. The holiday is a time to remember loved ones that have passed away, and Prichard compares it to Memorial Day in the U.S. She plans to have a celebration next week for the Mexican holiday.
"It's another chance to share a little bit of the culture of Mexico with the kids," she said.
Prichard says she has had some parents interested in learning Spanish, and she invites them to attend the class with the children.
The class will continue through the second week of January. At that point, Prichard is looking forward to talking with Moran to evaluate how the class is going and hopes to continue sharing her knowledge with anyone who wants to learn.
"We've had quite a response," said Moran. "I want it to be successful. We may have to put half the kids on Tuesday and half the kids on Thursday."
Prichard says that splitting the kids into two groups is an option, but with her children helping, and assistance from parents, she thinks the class is working out very well. She says that most of the kids in the class want to keep taking Spanish on both Tuesday and Thursday.
Any parents who would like to offer help with snacks or games should contact the elementary School.
