Category Archives: Local Information

Fall ESL Classes at FAESL – New Student Lottery Information

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Framingham Adult ESL will have a limited number of spaces for morning and evening classes for the Fall 2018 semester.

  • If you are interested in taking a MORNING English class at Framingham Adult ESL you must come in person to
    St. Tarcisius School (BRACE building)
    560 Waverly Street, Framingham
    Thursday, August 16th, 8:45 – 10:00 AM
  • If you are interested in taking an EVENING English class at Framingham Adult ESL you must come in person to
    Fuller Middle School Cafeteria
    31 Flagg Drive, Framingham
    Thursday, August 16th, 6:30 – 8:00 PM
  1. Come on August 16th to submit an entry card (with your name, address, etc).  Everyone who submits a card will have their name included in the lottery.
  2. The lottery will be on Monday, August 20th.  Don’t come to the school on Aug 20th.  You can watch the lottery online (Facebook Live) on your phone, tablet, or computer.
  3. If you are one of the winners of the lottery, you will be asked to come back on a different day for testing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • If I want to participate in the English class lottery, do I have to come to the school?
    YES – You must come to the school on Thursday August 16th to submit an entry card.  BUT, this should not take too long because there will be no lottery or testing on that day.
  • Will there be 2 separate lotteries?
    YES – If you come in the morning of Aug 16th (to St. Tarcisius), your name will be part of the lottery for MORNING classes.  If you come in the evening of Aug 16th (to Fuller School), your name will be part of the lottery for EVENING classes.
  • On August 16th do I need to arrive at the school before 6:30PM (or before 8:45 AM for morning classes)?
    NO – You can come any time between 6:30 and 8:00PM (or between 8:45 and 10:00AM for morning classes).  ALL the names collected during that time will have an equal chance in the lottery.
  • Do I need to watch the lottery (on Facebook Live) on August 20th?
    NO – When you come to the school on August 16th, you will submit an entry card with information (phone, email) on how to contact you.  If your name is selected in the lottery, the school will contact you.
  • If my name is selected in the lottery, what happens next?
    You will be asked to come to the school for testing.  After testing, you will be assigned to one of these:

    • a regular English class (6 hours each week)
    • or – a volunteer-led, once-a-week prep class (2 hours)
      If you stay in prep class with good attendance, you will automatically be on a priority list for a regular class and will not need to participate in any more lotteries.
    • or – a waiting list
      (You get a space in class as soon as possible and do not need to participate in more lotteries)
  • When are the classes?
    • Regular morning classes are on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings from 8:45 to 10:45
    • Regular evening classes are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 9:30
    • Prep classes are on one of those mornings, or evenings, each week
  • I can’t come on August 16th.  Can I come on the 15th (or some other day)? Or can someone else come to submit an entry card for me?
    NO – Unfortunately, the only day you can come to submit your name for the lottery is on August 16th, and you must come in-person.

Enjoy a Free Movie Outside

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  Lots of free movies will be shown outside this summer all around MetroWest and Greater Boston.  Movies usually begin at sundown.  If the weather is “iffy”, it’s good to check for cancellations before you go.

Here are some locations with outdoor movie nights this summer:

Memorial Day Weekend in Boston

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 See 37,000 flags on the Boston Common, visit the huge Museum of Fine Arts for free, and more…

Poison Ivy

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  Do you know what poison ivy looks like?  It’s a plant that is very common in MetroWest. You should know how to recognize poison ivy so that you can keep it away from your skin. It has oil on its leaves that can give you a very itchy rash.

Poison ivy always has groups of three leaves.  The leaves start off more red and shiny in the spring, and when they are grown the leaves are green and have uneven edges.

Take this little quiz to see if you can recognize it.
Here is information about poison ivy and what to do if you get a poison ivy rash.

Watch out for Ticks

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  This is a nice time of the year to take walks in the woods, or in more natural areas (around lakes, or maybe outside your own home). However, when you do, you should be aware of ticks – on yourself and on your children.

Ticks can be tiny, but dangerous.  Some ticks can give you lyme disease.  It’s important to be
aware of the information to avoid tick bites, and what to do if you get a tick bite.

Learning English is like Running a Marathon

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  • It requires LOTS of practice, and sacrifice (you would often rather be doing something different)
  • There are difficult moments along the way, and probably times when you think about giving up
  • It feels easier if you can find ways to enjoy it, such as having other people to support you and do it with you
  • It takes a long time to reach your goal, but when you do, you get a great sense of pride and achievement
  • Even after you finish, you can always continue to improve

Congratulations to the runners of the 2018 Boston Marathon, including Framingham Adult ESL student Cristina, who finished her 16th Boston Marathon!  And also special congratulations with much gratitude to Michelle Gibson, who dedicated this marathon to raising money for our school.

Are You a U.S. Citizen? Prepare to Vote

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  The next national elections will be on November 6, 2018.  In Massachusetts, we will vote for one senator (currently Elizabeth Warren), and our representative to the U.S. House of Representatives.  We will also vote for state governor (currently Charlie Baker), our state senator and representative, and other state officials.

If you are a U.S. citizen, and are at least 18 years old, you can vote in government elections – local, state, and national. BUT – you must be registered to vote.  It’s quick and easy.  You need to register before you can vote for the first time, and update your address every time you move.

  • In Massachusetts, and most other states, it’s easy to register online at VOTE.GOV
  • There’s more detailed information on how to vote at USA.gov
  • Here’s an example of the mail-in voter registration form in Massachusetts
  • You can also get assistance at the Clerk’s office in your City Hall or Town Hall

Are you almost a citizen?  MIRA and many organizations in Massachusetts provide services to help you become a citizen.  (Framingham Adult ESL offers citizenship classes)