ESP Hosts Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune at the Ohrenberger School

City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune, ESP Boston Executive Director Emily Pierce, Ohrenberger Principal Terrance Johnson, BPS Chief of Multicultural and Multilingual Education Joelle Gamere

ESP Boston and Principal Terrance Johnson welcomed Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune for a visit to the Ohrenberger 3-8 School in West Roxbury on December 6th! Councilor Louijeune met with a group of 3-6th graders who joined the Ohrenberger community this fall as part of the Boston Public Schools' Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE) program. These students fled difficult situations abroad and are now diligently working to learn English and catch up to their peers. 

During the visit, the students proudly introduced themselves in English to the visitors while the Ohrenberger’s dedicated staff created a festive atmosphere. The O! served traditional Haitian breakfast pastries to all attendees while helping SLIFE parents gain access to important resources like the communication tool ParentSquare. In Haitian-Creole Councilor President Louijeune encouraged the students to embrace their new community and to empower themselves by acquiring the English language as quickly as possible. However, she also reminded them to always honor the culture, traditions and stories they brought with them. 

Council President Louijeune addressed the SLIFE students in both English and Haitian-Creole.

ESP Boston is working with Principal Johnson to design and fund a Saturday Program that would provide the Ohrenberger’s SLIFE cohort with supplemental math, literacy and social-emotional support. Congratulations to all our friends at the Ohrenberger School on a wonderful chance to share your school's story.

What a welcome the Ohrenberger students provided Council President Louijeune, her staff and all visitors to their school.