SSC, CANHelp partner in adult literacy program

Published or Revised September 25, 2019

Paris Junior College – Sulphur Springs Center's Adult Literacy Program has announced a new partnership with CANHelp, the Hopkins County Community Action Network, which will allow an expansion of the General Education Degree (GED) and English as a Second Language (ESL) program in Sulphur Springs. "We're excited to be a part of the CANHelp community and increase our services in the Sulphur Springs area," said Adult Education Director Krista McAdamis. "The additional classroom space allows us to expand our course offerings." "We are so excited about this partnership," said CANHelp's Executive Director Adam Teer. "Because of our work locally here in Sulphur Springs, we pride ourselves in being a hub of comprehensive information and referral services. Not only do we provide free information and referral, we use our large building to provide office and meeting space to several nonprofit programs and organizations. We work to avoid sending clients back and forth across town to access services. Now, with our partnership with PJC, we have another wonderful service that people can find by coming to the 'hub' of community services." "The additional space allows us to double the time we can spend with students," said PJC's ESL Coordinator Susan Sanchez. "More classroom time leads to more opportunities for students to improve their reading, speaking and writing of English. This location also puts our students where they can easily learn about community resources and volunteer opportunities, allowing us to teach them about civic participation." The next ESL orientation session will be Friday, Feb. 15, from 9 a.m. to noon, and the next GED orientation session will be held on Friday, Feb. 22, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Both will be at the PJC – Sulphur Springs Center, 1202 W. Houston St. All new and returning students are required to attend one of the orientation sessions in order to complete the intake paperwork and the testing. Class dates and times will be given out at orientation. Classes are free to the student, but they must commit to attend class each day and meet program requirements to accomplish learning goals. All students must complete a baseline and progress test and adhere to attendance policy rules and department requirements. Sixteen-year-olds must be court-ordered and submit a copy of this document prior to the first class day. Seventeen-year-old students must submit a copy of a school withdrawal form from the last school attended prior to the first class day. Seventeen-year-olds may also be court-ordered to attend GED classes at Paris Junior College. Parents or guardians of 16- or 17-year-old students must complete release form information prior to the first day of class. In addition, adult education classes are now available online through distance learning instruction. Students who have access to a high-speed Internet connection and have at least three hours a week to work on lessons can prepare for the GED or improve their English online and accelerate their classroom learning. For further information, call 903-782-0424; email adulted@parisjc.edu; or visit the PJC website.