Upcoming Events
January 3 - Para Pro class starts
January 10 - Intro to Small Business class starts - (NEW start date)
January 13 - PCA Training (day 1 online)
January 16 - Holiday MLK Day - No School, Building Closed
January 17 - IT Tier 1 and Tier 2 classes start
January 20 - PCA Training (day 2 - in person skills training at Hubbs)
January 27 - No School - teacher Professional Development
February 6 - Medical Office Prep, Boiler License, classes start
February 7 - Para Pro Test Prep evening class starts
March 14 - Intro to Small Business (eve) class starts
Coffee Anyone?
If you come to school in person at Hubbs Center, you may have enjoyed a free cup of coffee in the student lounge recently. We are able to offer coffee free of charge to students because of the generosity of an anonymous donor, who understands that coffee is a great perk (this pun is intended!) for students who make it to our building during the long, cold and dark Minnesota winter. Currently, Hubbs staff members are making the coffee and cleaning up the coffee station each school day, but we need help. If you are an in-person student who is interested in helping provide coffee to your classmates, please contact Cathy, Hubbs’ assistant supervisor. You can find her by asking at the front desk, or just showing up in the student lounge when she is making coffee. Also, please consider donating to the coffee fund yourself if you can (you can give money to Karen or Rita at the front desk, or to your teacher – just tell them what it’s for). The more help we have from you, the longer we’ll be able to keep providing free coffee and tea. Helping with the coffee stand is also a good resume-builder for students seeking job experience.
Thank you for considering being part of the Hubbs coffee crew!
January 10 - March 24
Monday-Friday
11:30am-1:30 pm
Hyflex - In person at Hubbs/Online Google Meet
(only accepting new students until Jan. 17)
January 17 - March 30
Introduction to Information Technology, IT (Tier 1)
Monday-Thursday
9:30-11:30 am
In-person at Hubbs Center
Information Technology Fundamentals (Tier 2)
Monday-Thursday
9:30-11:30 am
Online Google Meet
Who is Barbara Ailts? (Teacher Barbara)
We like to meet our staff - Here is the latest inteview with one of our teachers!
1. What is your role at Hubbs?
I am a teacher at the Hubbs Center. I teach ELL B in-person, Mondays through Thursdays. On Monday and Wednesday afternoons, I teach a Hyflex class called Reading One. Hyflex is a type of class that allows students to either attend in-person or online. On Fridays, I teach a citizenship class. I also host an online orientation session for new students one afternoon a week.
2. How long have you been at Hubbs?
I actually began working with the Hubbs Center program, before it was called the Hubbs Center. In 1986 I started a program for the St. Paul Public Schools’ Community Education department designed for adult students that wanted to improve their reading and writing skills. Over time, this program merged with the Community Education GED/ESL program. Eventually all the programs came to be housed under one roof called the Hubbs Center!
3. What is your favorite part about working at Hubbs?
My favorite part about working at Hubbs is the fact that it allows me to meet and get to know wonderful people. The students are so ambitious and kind. I love seeing my current students each day and I also enjoy seeing students from the past. I love seeing the smiles in the hallways. I am constantly greeted with “Hi Teacher Barbara” and a broad, sincere smile. This is comfort food for my soul!
4. What does your typical day look like?
I prefer to arrive as early as possible so I can leisurely get my classroom set up and ready. Monday through Thursday I teach ELL B from 9:30 to 12:30. Every Monday and Wednesday, from 12:30 to 2:30, I teach the Hyflex Reading One class. On Thursdays from 12:30 to 2:30 I host an online orientation for new students. Each Friday, from 11:30 to 1:30, I teach a citizenship class online.
5. What do you like to do outside of Hubbs?
I love to be outside. I like to swim, go for walks and bike rides. I really like gardening. I plant lots and lots of flowers each spring and then tend to their needs all summer long.
6. What advice do you have for the students here?
My advice for students is to attend class as often as possible and try hard to make the time to study when not in class. Even a short 20-minute study period will help a person learn faster.
Need some tech support?
There is also a new class called Introduction to Online Learning for students who are new to online learning and/or are struggling with it. Students can contact an advisor to schedule for this class if you think it would be helpful. The class is offered monthly.
Distance Learning Laptop Winners
Congratulations to five students who have won laptops through the Distance Learning contest so far this year! Abiir Mahmoud, Halima Samu, Josephine Walter, Lunco Wako, and Arabu Berhe earned laptops from Hubbs Center for studying 150 hours on distance learning platforms outside of class. Well done, students!
If you haven't won a laptop yet, don't worry. The contest is still going, and you can earn a laptop too! This contest runs from September 1 to January 31. If you study 150 hours on distance learning by January 31, you will earn a refurbished laptop. The distance learning platforms include Edmentum, MobyMax, ReadTheory, ReadWorks, Vocab A-Z, CommonLit, Khan Academy, MyEnglishLab, MyLab, BurlingtonEnglish, Northstar, and USA Learns. Also, we will announce another distance learning contest to start in February. Look for information about the new contest in the February newsletter. Contact Jessica Ess if you have any questions (612) 405-3636, jessica.ess@spps.org.
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
Twitter: @sppsabe