Students at the Math for Work and Life class

Students at the Carlos Rosario School started the new semester with three new class options. The classes focus on specific skills that students can use in the workplace and their lives.

The Math for Life and Work class was created with the goal of increasing students’ numeracy, said teacher Kristine Stoesz. This course will prepare them to solve math challenges in their lives and at work, and even help them getting the jobs that they want.

Most of the students in this class are hoping to go to college in the future, and they see math as an essential tool in their educational journeys. One of the students, Cristina, hopes that the class will help her with parenting.

“I have a son and he’s in pre-K,” she said. “Maybe in the future he’ll need his mom to help him with math.”

The English as a Second Language program added the ESL Hospitality class for level 5. Students are learning how to talk to customers as servers or cashiers, explore job opportunities in restaurants, bars and hotels, and understand workplace rights and policies. At the end of this class, students may get a customer service certification.

With this addition, the ESL program now offers three tracks at some of the levels: ESL Life Skills, ESL Health and ESL Hospitality.

Finally, the Technology Academy also expanded its program with IT Fundamentals. In this class students get the foundational IT skills required to pursue a career in the technology field. It is a preparatory class for Computer Support Specialist Training.