Brunswick Schools and Brunswick library connects English as a second language families with resources

BRUNSWICK — Brunswick Schools partnered with the Brunswick Library to provide local families who speak English as a second language with resources relevant to them through a program at the library on Wednesday. Brunswick Schools Coordinator of Student Services Beth Dagostino said the district serves about 150 families who come from many different language backgrounds. "From a student support perspective, we want them to be successful," she said. "We also need to support the families because when you come from a foreign country, nobody tells you how it operates here, so you have to navigate that." The services available to these families are scattered in Medina County, Dagostino said. The goal is to create a community with the library and other outreach programs to meet the needs of families, ensure student success and allow them to feel like they are a part of the community. "This event takes a concrete step toward removing barriers so every family in our community feels welcomed, informed and connected," Superintendent Jason Niedermeyer said. "The Brunswick library is a tremendous community partner, and we are grateful for their commitment to serving our families. Events like this one show what is possible when schools and community organizations work together with a shared goal of supporting every student and family." For instance, Project: LEARN of Medina County offers adult English-language learning classes at locations throughout the county. For more information, visit projectlearnmedina.org. "We're here to help our adults participate in anything that they need in their day-to-day lives, but also at the job level and at the academic level," Sherry Baldwin from Project: LEARN said. "We just try to find out what students need and try to meet their needs." The Brunswick Library has a citizenship corner where patrons can check out citizenship kits filled with study resources. The library also has a world language section consisting of books, magazines and DVDs from 19 languages. "Strong family connections are a cornerstone of student success," Niedermeyer said. "When parents have access to the right tools and resources, they are better equipped to support their children's learning and build meaningful relationships with our schools." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.