Graduation

It may be only October, but Friday was a graduation day for two proud ICS students. Outside the trailer that houses ESOL (English for Speakers of other Languages) classes, sixth-grader Manizhah Mohammadullah was celebrating.

"I'm really happy," she said, " 'cause I do not want to be here."

It may be only October, but Friday was a graduation day for two proud ICS students. Outside the trailer that houses ESOL (English for Speakers of other Languages) classes, sixth-grader Manizhah Mohammadullah was celebrating.

"I'm really happy," she said, "ll spend her weekly language periods learning Spanish.

Friday, ESOL teacher Francie Wallace sat the class - Manizhah, three students from Burma, one from Bosnia, and one from Liberia - in a circle to talk about Manizhah's accomplishments in writing and computing, and to say goodbye.

"I am very glad you're leaving," Ms. Francie congratulated, "even though we'll miss you."

Manizhah's friend Assata Glenn, from Liberia, smiled. "I am not glad," she said, leaning over on the couch to hug Manizhah.

Later in the day, Flynn Hamilton recited his multiplication tables flawlessly, up to the 12s, for his last day of remedial math. He, too, no longer needed the help of a class designed to support students who have catching-up to do in language or academics.

This week he'll start a new afternoon elective: school band. Friday afternoon, math teacher Mary Ellen Sheehan said a warm goodbye, and asked him about his plans.

He hadn't chosen an instrument yet, but he was thinking drums.