McPhee, Toni

100 languages spoken in the households that make up Des Moines Public Schools. 6,100 ELL students. 156 committed and dedicated staff and teachers, including bilingual outreach staff at 50 different locations in the community. ELL is a program for students who have traveled to Iowa from another country that are not fluent in the English language. This program provides students the opportunity to speak a new language and learn how any other student in DMPS learns. Get to know three of East Highs own ELL students.

Fatuma Abdullahi:

Q: How old are you?
A: Abdullahi is 16 almost 17 years old.
Q: When did you come?
A: She came to the United States eight months ago and moved to Michigan. From there she moved to Iowa.
Q: Where did you come from?
A: Kenya
Q: What do you do for fun?
A: “I normally ride my bike, and I like to play piano.” She also likes to eat pizza and Angela (pancakes) and listen to music like Selena Gomez and Jason Derulo.
Q: What do you like most about East?
A: “My childhood friends go to East.”
Q: Why did you come to Iowa?
A: Abdullahi lived with her uncle in Kenya for six years. She then followed her mom and siblings who lived in the United States already.

Kevin Argueta:

Q: How old are you?
A: Argueta is 15 years old.
Q: When did you come?
A: He arrived to the United States eight months ago.
Q: Where did you come from?
A: Argueta came from El Salvador.
Q: What do you do for fun?
A: “I like to play soccer and go to the park with my brothers.” Argueta might plan on playing soccer for East as well.
Q:What do you like most about East?
A: “ East is a really good school.”
Q: Why did you come to Iowa?
A: “ El Salvador is very dangerous, a lot of delinquiency like shootings and petty crimes.”

Amani Shaldbi:

Q: How old are you?
A: Shaldbi is 17 years old.
Q: When did you come?
A: “I have been here for six months… it took me three days to get here.” She with her mom, dad, two brothers, and three sisters.
Q: Where did you come from?
A: Shaldbi is from Sudan.
Q: What did you do for fun in Sudan?
A: “We played volleyball, we go dancing and we just read the book.”
Q: Why did you come to Iowa?
A: “My family needed money, and Sudan is not safe. We help other people in Sudan, too. If people need money, they call me and we send them the money.