23 English language learners across nearly all schools and grade levels were recognized at a ceremony on November 13 at Pulaski Road School in East Northport. These students, each of whom previously did not speak fluent English, achieved a “commanding” level on their New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT) and successfully “graduated” the ENL program. 
During the touching ceremony, sixth grader Pamela Anzora, twelfth grader Ricardo Avila and fifth grader Brianna Martinez Almendarez spoke about the pride they feel at this accomplishment and how grateful they are to their teachers for making school “their home.” Spanish speaking graduates also spoke in their native language to ensure their families could share in the ceremony and hear their speeches. 
“We are so incredibly proud of these students for overcoming all obstacles to achieve this recognition,” said Chairperson for World Language and ENL Jennifer Nesfield. “When you bring together caring and dedicated teachers with determined, hardworking students, you can achieve almost anything. These students are proof of that and I cannot wait to watch them accomplish remarkable success in the future.”
The graduating students included those whose native languages are Spanish, Urdu and Turkish.