Hubbs News
May 18th, 2021
Upcoming Events
May 26/June 1: Test center open until 5:30
June 2: GED graduation
June 10: Last day of school
June 15: Evening vaccination clinic at Hubbs (Dose #2)
June 21: First day of summer session
June 21: Childcare opens at Hubbs - sign up now!
Distance Learning Laptop Winners
Congratulations to our laptop winners this month: Halima Samu, Kristine Steenberg, and Hamza Wake (all pictured). Also Hayaat Sh Ali and Nube Galarza Gonzalez (not pictured). These students earned laptops from Hubbs Center for studying 250 hours on distance learning platforms outside of class. Well done, students!
Questions? Contact Jessica at jessica.ess@spps.org
Please Come in to Hubbs Center to Test!
Now as we are opening up more, we would like to update test scores. Students who have not tested recently (your teacher can tell you if you are ready to test again) or have never come in to test in-person, due to the pandemic closing, are encouraged to come in to test (no appointment necessary). If you only tested on-line when you registered for class, we would also like an in-person test.
Hubbs Center Testing Hours:
Monday - Thursday
9:30 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. (arrival time) every week.
Evening Special Hours:
May 26 and June 1
9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. (arrival time)
*MASKS ARE REQUIRED*
New ELL (English Language Learning) Levels Coming This Summer and Fall
The Hubbs Center currently offers ELL (English Language Learning) levels 1-6 , but that will soon be changing, to better connect with the teacher curriculum and the changing program needs. Some classes have already been a combination of two levels (ELL 2/3 or ELL 4/5, for example), so the change may not seem very different as we transition. The class names will be different, however.
Beginning this summer, the new levels for ELL will be:
ELL A1 (similar to ELL 1)
ELL A (similar to ELL 2/3)
ELL B (similar to ELL 4/5)
ELL C (similar to ELL 6)
We will also again be offering a class called "Communication." This class will be available for students in ELL B or C who want more practice with Speaking, Listening, Writing and Digital Literacy skills.
Summer Session at Hubbs Center
Summer School scheduling and more in-person classes offered on-site this summer
We are slowly transitioning to provide more classes in-person, both at Hub@Harding and the Hubbs Center. This summer, various classes will be offered in person, however, students will still be able to continue to have class on google meet or independent learning if the online option works best.
Summer School: June 21 - August 19 (Monday - Thursday)
Teachers are talking about scheduling options in class (about your specific options) over the next few weeks. Please think about what you would like to do, and let your teacher know so we can schedule you for summer classes (teachers will let advisors know). After your schedule is ready, your teacher will let you know. You can sign in to your student portal to see your schedule (you will need your email and student ID number).
- If you would like to take the summer off, please contact us again in August for scheduling for September.
- If you are not currently attending a class and are not in touch with a teacher, please contact one of the advisors:
- Ying.Vang@spps.org or (612) 756-8615 (text or voice)
- Ruth.Rodriguez@spps.org or (612) 470-5705 (text or voice).
This summer, these learning options will be available:
- Classes in-person at Hubbs Center - morning only, Monday - Thursday
- 9:30-11:30 (or 9:30-12:30) (ELL, GED Reading Lab)
- 11:30-12:30 (Math and ELL Communication)
- Classes in-person at Hub@Harding - morning only, Monday - Thursday
- 9:30-12:30 Hub@Harding (ELL A1/A and ELL B/C)
- Online Google Meet
- 9:30-11:30 (ELL, GED Reading 1,2,3, & College Pathways)
- 11:30-12:30 (Math or ELL B/C Communication)
- 12:30-2:30 (ELL A, B or C)
- 4:00-6:00 T/TH (GED Reading 2/3)
- 6:00-8:00 M/W (Math or ELL B/C Communication)
- 6:00-8:00 T/Th (ELL B or C)
- 6:00-8:00 M-TH (ELL A or B)
- Independent Learning Online (with a teacher Coach to check in with you)
- any time of day/weekend, whenever you have time
- available for ELL B and C, Math, College Pathways and GED
Summer Opportunities for Youth & Families
- Saint Paul Parks and Recreation is offering summer camps and activities at various locations across the city, including the popular Summer Rec Check program (formerly known as Summer Blast.) These full day and half day camps are designed to allow youth to connect with their peers, stay active, and engage in their community. Options available for youth and teens.
- Summer swimming lesson and sailing lesson registration is now open. Saint Paul Parks and Recreation is preparing to open Highland Park Aquatic Center, Como Regional Park Pool, Phalen Beach, and splash pads on June 12. Great River Water Park will not be open this summer. Additional aquatics updates will be available throughout the summer.
- Saint Paul Public Schools Summer Learning Programs give Saint Paul students opportunities to learn new things and strengthen current academic skills. Prepare for the upcoming school year through active, fun, hands-on activities, and make progress toward graduation. All programs are free.
Governor Walz Announces 3 Phases to End Restrictions
Right now Governor Walz is addressing Minnesotans and announcing the next three steps in easing COVID-19 restrictions. Most restrictions will end May 28 and the statewide masking mandate will end July 1 or before.
Here is a summary of the steps:
May 7:
- No limits/masks for outdoor events, except masks at large venues with over 500 people.
- No early bar and restaurant closing time.
May 28:
- Remaining limits end, including restrictions on indoor events expect when there are more than 500 people.
- Capacity restrictions end but businesses must have a safety plan guided by a universal state guidance document.
July 1 or earlier:
- Statewide masking mandate dropped no later than July 1, but earlier if we reach 70% vaccination.
Click here to see the updates on the Minnesota Stay Safe Plan page.
Need Internet? Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
What is the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program?
The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that provides a temporary discount on monthly broadband bills for qualifying low-income households. If your household is eligible, you can receive:
- Up to a $50/month discount on your broadband service and associated equipment rentals
- Up to a $75/month discount if your household is on qualifying Tribal lands
- A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50)
Only one monthly service discount and one device discount is allowed per household.
The FCC has announced that consumers can begin applying for and enrolling in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program on May 12, 2021. The program will end when the fund runs out of money, or six months after the Department of Health and Human Services declares an end to the COVID-19 health emergency, whichever is sooner.
If you are interested, contact your internet provider and ask about this program.
If you have questions, please email: broadbandbenefit@fcc.gov.
Digital Literacy Tip of The Week
For more digital literacy tips, CLICK HERE
Other Training Programs Available from our Partners
Online Dietary Aide Training -- Register by JUNE 2
What you will learn and practice
- Food Safety and Infection Control
- Introduction to Nutrition
- Special Diets and American Foods
- Communication with Residents
- Northstar Digital Literacy
- Financial Coaching
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a person born outside of the United States
- Must be interested in working as a dietary aide after graduation
- Conversational English skills
- Computer or tablet with reliable internet access (let us know if you need assistance with this)
Class Duration: June 7 - July 1
Days: Monday - Friday
Time: 10am - 2pm
To apply: contact Lynn Thompson at lthompson@iimn.org or (612) 460-8659
Business Professional Pathways Program-- Immediate Openings
- Train for positions: customer service representative, administrative professional medical scheduler, person banker, and more
- Expand your technology skills for today's workforce, including Microsoft Office
- Get insights and guidance from business professionals, college professors, and industry experts
- Participate in first-round interviews with employers to kick-start your career
- Learn skills in customer service, professional communication, computer proficiency, and business principles/terminology
Classes are Monday - Friday from 9am to 1pm
To apply: contact us online at gesmn.org/training, call (651) 379-5837, or email outreach@gesmn.org
Warehouse Training: June 7- 24
Certification-based classroom and hands-on training is provided in:
- OSHA-10 safety
- Bobcat skid steer loader
- Compact excavator
- Tool Cat utility vehicle
- Forklift
- Scissor lift
- Boom lift
If you are interested, call (612) 341-3358 or CLICK HERE
Meet the Hubbs Staff
This week's staff member highlight is Ruth Rodriguez! Ruth is the Volunteer Coordinator at the Hubbs Center. She helps connect community volunteers, as well as interns, service-learning, and work-study students from local colleges and universities to assist teachers in classes and support our learners. This newsletter is coming to you through work with one of those interns! This past year, Ruth began to help in the intake office also, advising students, assisting with class scheduling and other tasks. She also speaks Spanish, and is available to interpret and help our Spanish-speaking learners. After working for St. Paul Schools Adult Basic Education (ABE) for 29 years, she still really enjoys her job, helping our amazing students and volunteers work toward meeting their educational goals. Fun fact about Ruth - when she was in college, she studied abroad in Spain for a year, and enjoys travel and learning about, and experiencing other cultures. She has traveled to Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Italy, Switzerland, France, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, China, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and Mexico. Now, all she has to do to visit other cultures is travel to the Hubbs Center!
Office phone: (651)744-7611 or google voice/text: (612) 470-5705
Email: Ruth.Rodriguez@spps.org
Critical Thinking Puzzle
Want to enhance your critical thinking skills? Here is a worksheet to tease your brain and make you think. Not only will it make you smarter, but it's fun too! This is an excellent resource to use outside of class to develop your thinking skills. An answer key is provided under the worksheet.
Questions? Contact Us
Email: ABEinfo@spps.org
Website: spps.org/hubbs
Location: 1030 University Avenue West, Saint Paul, MN, USA
Phone: (651) 290-4822
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sppsabe