In the spring of 2025, Katz Dalsey Academy launched a new initiative centered on an important community need: helping parents learn English. The goal of the program is to support families as they navigate everyday situations where language can be a barrier.
Parents meet at Katz Dalsey twice a week for classes that range from grammar and foundational English to real-life skills such as writing resumes, ordering at restaurants, and managing daily routines. Sessions are held on campus and typically last between one hour and one hour and fifteen minutes.
Mrs. Vega, the Community Parent Involvement Specialist at Katz Dalsey, shared why the program is so meaningful to her.
“When I became the Community Parent Involvement Specialist in 2023, I immediately saw my own family reflected in many of the families we serve,” Vega explained. “I was born to Vietnamese refugee parents, and growing up, I saw firsthand how language barriers can limit school involvement. That experience gave me a deep understanding of the challenges many of our families face today.”
She added that direct conversations with families helped shape the initiative.
“As I built relationships with parents and reviewed family surveys, I kept asking: What support do our families need most?” Vega said. “Time and time again, families shared a desire to strengthen their English skills so they could better navigate daily life and support their children academically. From those conversations, we expanded into Adult English classes, Financial Literacy workshops, Nutrition classes, sewing classes, and more.”
Several teachers support the program, including Ms. Heredia, Mrs. Diaz, Ms. Leonelli, Ms. Peichl, Ms. Nunez, and Ms. Whomsley. Classes are offered in both large and small group formats, and childcare is provided to ensure accessibility for families.
The program operates on a drop-in basis and supports families across a range of language levels. It is structured into three sessions: Fall, Winter, and Spring, with each ending in a celebration recognizing growth and commitment.
What stands out most is the progress of the parents and the trust being built within the school community. The hope is to continue expanding the program so even more families across the network can be supported.
The program runs from mid-September through the end of May each year. Families can register using flyers shared on ClassDojo, sent home with students, and in the future posted on the school website. Each flyer includes a QR code for registration.
For questions or to be added to the September waitlist, families may contact the front office at 856-365-1000 ext. 650 or email jtran-vega@camdencsn.org.
The English program continues to reflect Katz Dalsey Academy’s commitment to strengthening family engagement and supporting the needs of its community. As participation grows, the school remains focused on creating spaces where families feel welcomed, supported, and empowered.