Phoebus High School Freshman Academy creates language literacy program

The Phoebus High School Freshman Academy identified a need and created a language literacy program for English Language Learners (ELL) at their school. The ninth graders conducted research which indicated that the school library is not being utilized by students with limited reading skills. A survey conducted indicated that ELL students would read more if they could find more interesting literature in their native language in the school library.

The Gamma Upsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (Hampton, VA) and the Phoebus United Women of Faith partnered to provide more diverse books to add to the Phoebus library selections. More than 30 books written in three or more languages, to include Spanish, have been donated to the Phoebus High School library over the past two months as a result of this mission. These books can be borrowed by students at Hampton High, Kecoughtan High, and Bethel High thanks to the Phoebus librarians who have created an inner school district loan system as part of this program. Members from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and school administrative staff have provided significant support as part of this process over the past four months. 

“The goal is to have more local organizations donate additional resources to our school and district for our growing number of international and ELL student populations,” said Tameka Morant-Sales, Success 101 instructor at PHS.

“I am proud of our freshman students, who have received over 30 books for their project. Their work in their PBL epitomizes our purpose of greatness every day,” said Phoebus executive principal David Coccoli.