“Now it’s Your Turn” Proposition

W e have known them since birth and they have strived

to give their 110% in everything they do for us. Our
parents have had one thing in mind since your birth:
“I want to give my child the life that I never had.” For years, they have taken care of us
through sickness and health, and have supplied an amazing guidance through our
Elementary, Middle, and High school careers. Some parents even go as far as to give us
support, and in some cases, give us financial assistance to pursue a secondary education
after high school. Many parents come from other countries just to pursue the
“American Dream.” While a few of those parents work hard everyday with well paying
jobs, others do not have such opportunity. They work just to give us a proper education.
According to countless interviews with parents, some did not have the opportunity to go
to school. Many were forced to work to help support their families back in their
impoverished countries. Some of us take for granted the stuggle that our parents,
guardians, or peers do for our success.
Many people whose primary language is not English give valid excuses for why they
can’t or wont attend school. Some consist of: “I don’t know where they give classes,”
“The classes probably cost to much and I can’t afford it,” “I work all day and can’t attend
the classes,” “I am too old to learn anything new,” and the most common, “I never
learned how to read and write.” Without their questions being answered, some just give
up on pursuing their dreams. Some feel hopeless and stupid, and feel as if they can
never learn. They are forced to take the hard-working labor jobs that do not require any
special skills, just hard labor. They come home tired and dreading the next day at work. I
do not believe they came to America, just to become our everyday contractors,
construction workers, landscapers, maids, and nannies. They aspire to be our nurses,
our doctors, our lawyers, and our business owners. It’s time to turn this around.

This is where you come in, you can make all the difference in you
parents’ and peers’ lives!
We answer all the valid excuses and give the people closest to you, a sense of hope
and desire!

“I don’t know where they give classes”

 The City of Alexandria offers it’s residents, AND non-residents, the
opportunity to take ESL AND GED classes to adults 18 and older.
 They offer the classes at 3 locations:

o T.C. Williams High School

 3330 King Street, Door #3 Alexandria, VA 22302
Phone: 703-824-6845

o William Ramsey Elementary School

 5700 Sanger Avenue Alexandria, VA 22311 Tel: 703-
824-6950

o Adult Learning Center

 25 South Quaker Lane, 2nd Floor, Room 27 Alexandria,
VA 22314 Tel: 703-461-4179

“The classes probably cost to much and I can’t afford it”

 $65 (Must live or work in Alexandria City)
 $235 (if non-resident or no proof of address or employment in
Alexandria City)
 Book payment ($26 to $75) due at registration
 Put it this way: $65 pays for cable or phone bills, or for all you gamers
out there, PS3 and XBOX 360 games. Can you do without one of
these things for the success of your parents and peers?
 Now, if you live out of state and do not want to pay the $235,
reasearch local ESL or GED classes. 9 times out of 10 they will be
around the same price.
 “I work all day and can’t attend the classes”
 I understand the notion that they work all day and believe that class
times are limited. This is not true.
o At T.C. Williams High School, classes are Tuesday and
Thursday from 7 to 9 PM

o At William Ramsay Elementary School, classes are Monday

and Wednesday from 7 to 9 PM

o At the Adult Learning Center, classes meet 8:45 a.m. to 12:00

p.m., Monday through Friday.
 As you can see, they have classes from all time frames and that
shouldn’t be a problem.

“I am too old to learn anything new,”

 According to an article on http://www.briansbrainstorm.com,
named “When Do We Stop Learning?,” humans will never stop
learning as long as they Read or are read to, Reflect on what you have
learned in the week, and create a network with friends and family.
Keep up to date with everything that is happening around you. After
the heart, the brain is the most essential organ we have in our bodies
and it is important that we use it to its full potential!

“I never learned how to read and write.”

 Going back on what was said before, many of the people we come
encountered with never learned how to read and write because of
unfortunate circumstances. We live in an age of advance technology
that can point us in the right direction. There are many programs that
can assist with the Elementary teachings we were given in our
primary education careers. I know of one that a close family member
supplied and it’s on the website:
http://www.gratisjuegos.org/descargar/abrapalabra-2-cds-full/.
Though it looks like a childish game, it teaches the basics and gets
people ready to further their education. This program is geared
specifically towards native spanish speakers.
 Additional Important Information
Register for all ESL classes at T.C. Williams High School.
Bring:
 A photo ID (Residents may be able to to take classes also,
call the phone number for the institute you want to attend.)
 Proof that you live in
 Alexandria City (such as a utility bill, VA driver’s license, or
lease)
 A recent TB (Tubercolosis) test
 New students must take a one-hour placement test to
determine class level.
o Instruction in Levels 1-7 focus on reading, writing and
speaking English
o Once completed with each level and attend a few
advance classes, you would be eligible to take GED
classes.
 Pay with check, credit card, or money order. (No cash,
please!)
 For the spring semester registration starts April 1- April 5
(might not be accurate, call institute that will be attended)
 Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis
Essential Websites
 http://www.acps.k12.va.us/adulted/alc/ (Adult learning
Center Information)
 http://www.acps.k12.va.us/adulted/ace/esl-brochure.pdf
(Brochure on Classes)
 http://www.gratisjuegos.org/descargar/abrapalabra-2-cds-
full/ (Reading and Writing computer program for native
speakers)
 Closing Remarks
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change
the world. -Nelson Mandela

The “Now it’s Your Turn” Proposition is simply this: your

parents and peers have given you your education, now it’s time for
you to give them there’s. They have helped you, now you help them.
Together as one we can change the world. We can become a more
informed and educated society. I have gotten three people to commit
to go to school or go back to school. I am only one man, but with your
help we can overcome obstacles and prove the illiterate stereotypes
wrong! Read this and share this, become the voice of your family.
Give back to your family as they have always given to you. The change
starts with you!

I am willing to help you get started and help you on the right path.
My Contact information is as follows:
Kevin Larios
Kll2911@email.vccs.edu
Cell: 571-970-7128
Home: 571-522-8766