English language learners in the Martha’s Vineyard public schools have increased almost sixfold over the past decade and now make up more than 19 per cent of the total student body.
The Community Ambassador Partnership is an interagency group that formed in the wake of the pandemic to coordinate communication with the Island’s substantial Brazilian community.
In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, Brazilian contractors, health agents and translators have begun working together to get the word out about new rules on job sites.
For the past eight weeks, a group of 15 Brazilian natives have been meeting at the Oak Bluffs Public Library to learn beginners level English language skills.
Although now in its second generation, the Brazilian community is still largely perceived as an island unto itself, isolated from the mainstream Vineyard community.
The women wear dresses and high heels. The men are decked out in dark slacks or double-breasted suits. The parking lot is so full that cars are lining the driveway to the Masonic Hall and pulled up on the grassy shoulders of Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road.
For members of the Island's Brazilian population, one of the
most frightening prospects is a visit to the hospital. Rather than a
lack of health insurance, what keeps many away is the fear of not being
understood.
At 7:15 a.m. Sunday at the Rod and Gun Club in Edgartown, more than
100 people had their eyes set on a 20-inch TV screen in the corner of
the room. Brazil was playing Germany in the final game of the World Cup
in Yokohama, Japan. In the room, yellow, green and blue flags and soccer
jerseys to match made it clear this was not the place to cheer for
Germany.
A federal civil rights investigation of the Oak Bluffs and Tisbury
schools has cited both for failing to meet the instructional needs of
their growing population of Brazilian students.
The investigation was triggered by a parent complaint in November
which alleged that the schools' lack of trained teachers,
interpreters and appropriate materials was shortchanging Brazilian
students.
