Category: Resources

KEEP COOL IN NYC!

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Many people like summer sunshine, but too much heat can be dangerous and unhealthy. Hot and humid weather can cause heat illness and even death. If you or someone you know has these symptoms, you need to cool down quickly!

  • Heavy sweating
  • Muscle cramps
  • Light headedness, feeling faint
  • Headache
  • Decreased energy
  • Loss of appetite, nausea

Luckily, New York City has increased the number of ways to Keep Cool during heat emergencies. The parks department has concentrated on water features, drinking fountains, and tree cover as ways to beat the heat outside.

Here’s a link to a map of all the places where you can cool off:

https://www.nycgovparks.org/about/health-and-safety-guide/cool-it-nyc

Spray showers are fun and feel great for kids. The sprinklers are turned on when the temperature reaches 80 degrees F. These are indicated on the map as well as the beaches and outdoor pools that are open to all. NYC even provides free sunscreen at the pools.

There are thousands of drinking fountains across the city – even some for pets!

 The map also shows the parks with thick tree coverage, as well as the shadiest blocks to walk.

Another option: If you’re looking for a fun and safe way to beat the heat, consider requesting an official hydrant opening. You can go to your local firehouse and they might open and close a hydrant safely for you.

And if you’re not an “outdoors person,” NYC has many cooling centers.  They are located in air-conditioned facilities that offer people relief from the heat, such as:

  • Libraries
  • Community centers
  • Senior centers
  • NYCHA facilities

   To find a cooling center:   https://maps.nyc.gov/oem/cc/

Most important: drink lots of water even if you’re not thirsty, wear loose light-colored clothing, and avoid sun and strenuous outdoor activity between 11 AM and 4 PM.

Enjoy the summer in the city!

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INDEPENDENCE DAY!

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Independence – n., freedom from outside control

Federal – adj., of or being a form of government

Parade – n., a great show or display,  a public procession

Demonstrate – v., to show clearly

Patriotism – n., love for one’s country

Reflect – v., to realize, to consider

Expat (Expatriate) – n., a person who lives in a foreign country

Embassy – n., the official residence and offices of an ambassador

Homesick – adj., longing for home and family while absent from them

Colonies – n., an area over which a foreign nation has control

Highlight – n., something which is especially interesting

Spectacular – adj., striking, sensational

On July 4th, Americans all over the world celebrate Independence Day. In the United States, it is a federal holiday, so many people don’t have to work. Parades, picnics, and barbecues take place during the day, with fireworks lighting up the sky at night. Americans demonstrate their patriotism on July 4th, reflecting on their freedom and the things they love about their country.

American expats living out of the United States still observe the 4th of July. American embassies all over the planet host parties and events. Individuals celebrate with their friends, and many get a little homesick.

The holiday marks the separation of the 13 colonies from the rule of Great Britain. The Declaration of Independence (the document) was completed on the 4th of July, 1776.  But it was not signed until August!

A highlight of Independence Day in New York City is the evening fireworks display, this year to be held near the Brooklyn Bridge, on the lower East River. The spectacular display is the largest Independence Day celebration in the nation. For more information and where to watch the fireworks: https://www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/where-to-watch-the-4th-of-july-fireworks

Happy Independence Day!

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Let’s VOTE!

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Vocabulary

Privilege: n., a thing or a right that is given to you

The voting booth: n., the private place where you vote

Make your voice heard: expression, to give your opinion

Funding: n., financial support

A good wage: n., expression, fair and acceptable payment for a job 

Job security: n., expression, being sure of keeping your job

Polling place: n., where you go to vote (the public place)

Candidates: n., people who are running for election

Factual: adj., ideas based on truth

Trusted experts: n., people who tell the truth and whose opinions you value

Elections… ballots… nominees… what does all this mean for you?

Voting in America is a right, a privilege, and – always – extremely important.

This document explains it all to you:
Click to access 2024_NFY_Voting-Guide.pdf

Why?  

You may feel that you do not have much money or power, but in the voting booth, your choice is equal to everyone else’s.  As an American citizen, you are able to make your voice heard about what really matters to you.

Reasons to Vote:

■ You care about clean air and clean water. The government makes laws that can protect or hurt the environment. 

■ You have family members in another country who want to move to the U.S. The government makes rules about who can move here and how easy it is. 

■ You are in school or have children in school. You want the school to provide a good education. The government makes rules about teacher training, programs, and testing. It decides what kinds of programs receive funding.

■ You are looking for a job that offers a good wage and job security. The government guides the economy. That affects how easy it is to find a job, how much companies can pay workers, and what benefits companies must provide.

Where?

On Election Day, people vote in different sorts of places. Your voting site might be a school, a church, a community center, a fire station, or another neighborhood building. You must go to the correct polling place. The place you go to vote will depend on where you live.   

After you register to vote, you will receive a card confirming your registration and indicating your polling place.

How?

Firstly, inform yourself.  Watch television, read newspapers, and explore the internet to learn how the candidates stand on issues that are important to you.

Here are some useful links:

■ Rock the Vote  www.rockthevote.org
Targeted towards younger voters, this site seeks to inspire and inform on building political power in young people.

■ Vote 411    www.vote411.org
Countrywide, personalized information on candidates and where they stand on what you’re voting for.

■ Project Vote Smart      www.votesmart.org  
Free, factual information on candidates in simplified, straightforward language.

Prepare to vote, from anywhere > United States Coast Guard ...

Watch debates, watch television, read newspapers, and consult with trusted experts.

For fascinating fun and a bit of history, this site has information, explanations, and ads going back to the beginning of televised election commercials.

http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/

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ATTENTION STUDENTS and TEACHERS!

US Adult LiteracyLeave a comment

Of course you know about our terrifically useful resource pages, don’t you?

In case you don’t, they comprise a collection of wonderful and fun ESL learning ideas.  These links range from interactive pronunciation help to interesting reading comprehension aides to AI-enhanced writing assistance. That’s right – AI as in Artificial Intelligence!

You’ll find them enjoyable, informative, and easy to access and use.

We have carefully curated this collection, and added a few new tools to your toolbox.  Among them:

ESL Literacy Readers  Well-done, diverse reading texts with audio for all levels.

Punctuation Guide   An extremely handy and comprehensive guide to – you guessed it!  Enlightening examples of the most-used punctuation marks in the English language.

Happy English Podcast  Conjunctions, idioms, and phrasal verbs – oh my!  Fun and accessible Listening practice for all levels.

Better at Speaking Podcast  Thought-provoking and entertaining; these podcasts are frequently accompanied by video to enrich comprehension and engagement.

The above links have been selected for BOTH teachers and students.  We hope you find them helpful.

Our Resource Pages

For teachers: For Teachers – US Adult Literacy
And for students: For Students – US Adult Literacy

Or you can navigate to the resource pages on the top of our blog.

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📢 Join Our Intermediate to Advanced ESOL Classes!

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REGISTRATION IS STILL OPEN FOR THE CURRENT 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR.

Are you looking to enhance your English language skills? Look no further! Our ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes are now open for registration. Although our classes began in September 2023, we still have a few openings for daytime and weekend schedules, just for intermediate to advanced English language learners.

Daytime Classes:

  • Mondays to Thursdays (4 days)
  • 9:00am – 11:00am OR 11:00am – 1:00pm
  • Intermediate level and above

Weekend Classes:

  • Saturdays to Sundays (2 days)
  • 9:30am – 12:30pm
  • Low advanced level

If you complete the interest form for these classes that are currently open for registration, you will be added to a class mid-year, and expected to study until the end of June 2024. If you would like to start in a new class or new school year, please revisit this page or our Facebook page for updates in mid-July 2024.

Please note, evening classes and basic level courses are not currently open for registration. If you need evening classes or basic English instruction, please return to this page in mid-July 2024 for updates.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Must be a NYC resident and provide proof of address
  • Must be able to attend for the remainder of the school year in-person

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

  • Students will be given a placement test to determine English level.
  • Classes started in September 2023 and will end in June 2024.
  • Classes are free and the program will provide textbooks.
  • Classes are not bilingual, and students are encouraged to speak English only.
  • Spaces are limited! Registration will close once daytime and weekend seats are filled.

🔗 Complete the interest form by clicking the link here or on the image above. 🔗

After completing the interest form, our staff will contact you via email to invite you to an information session. Please check your inbox and spam/junk folder.

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Summer Rising

US Adult LiteracyLeave a comment

Applications for the Summer Rising program open APRIL 17 – May 1. S.R. is a FREE summer program offered through the Department of Education and its affiliated CBO Programs. Students will be able to come to school sites to participate in academic and enrichment programs. Any student from Kindergarten to 8th grade can attend. The sessions run from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM starting July 5th – August 18th. For more information, please visit https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/summer/grades-k-8  🙂 For more information, families can contact their school, or summer@schools.nyc.gov.

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