LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV)--The Little Rock School District's Baseline Elementary School is taking one more step to make the learning experience smooth and successful.
Like most schools, Baseline is covered with colorful and inviting decorations as they welcome students into the new school year.
But something is different on campus this year. There are two bilingual professionals to make sure the English as a Second Language students are equipped for success.
This school year marks the first they'll have the staff members.
"Baseline has the highest ESL population in the district. We have 44 percent Hispanic and Latino students. So we felt it was great need to effectively communicate with our parents," says principal Katina Ray.
Ray says it was crucial to add these two to their staff, "Their primary role is to work with the parents in effective communication. They translate everything that goes home. Everything that leaves our building is translated in English and in Spanish."
Jennifer Gonzalez came from Chicago to serve as a parent facilitator.
"The easiest way to describe it is multi-tasking! Because you've got to be in every place in the building. You've got to be helping anybody possible that needs help,"says Gonzalez.
"It actually feels really good, you know? The students look up to me and they tell me 'Oh you speak English AND Spanish! I speak Spanish and English too!' You build a relationship and it makes you feel good when you're helping them out," says Jonathan Campos.
Campos is the ESL Aide this year and will be more involved with the students, while Jennifer Gonzalez will work with the parents and teachers on communication.
Gonzalez says, "When I first got here the teachers were like 'oh you're going to help me so much! Are you going to be here all day? And the parents say 'you're going to be here all year to help?!' And I'm like, yeah!"
With the help of Gonzalez and Campos, now each student pre-K to fifth grade at Baseline can feel confident they're getting the education they deserve.