Gillespie Literacy Council

08/11/2026

📚 **Fall Literacy Classes Begin in ONE Week!** 🍎

The Gillespie Literacy Council is excited to welcome students for our Fall 2026 semester beginning **Tuesday, August 18**! Whether you want to improve your English, prepare for the GED, study for U.S. Citizenship, or practice conversational Spanish, we have a class for you.

✨ **Classes include:**
• English as a Second Language (ESL)
• GED Preparation
• U.S. Citizenship
• Beginning Conversational Spanish
• Advanced Spanish Conversation & Grammar

💲 **Tuition is just $10 for the entire Fall semester**, and all tutoring is provided by dedicated volunteers.

📍 **Location:**
Former FISD Middle School Campus
College Street Building
110 W. Travis Street, Fredericksburg
(Enter from Orchard Street)

To register or learn more, contact:
📞 JoAnna Vernetti Troppy – 956-457-4341
📧 [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

**Learning opens doors. We hope you'll join us this fall!** Please share this post with friends, family, neighbors, or coworkers who might benefit from these classes.

08/04/2026

📚 **Fall 2026 Classes Begin August 18!**

The **Gillespie Literacy Council**, in partnership with the **Fredericksburg ISD Community Education Program**, is offering affordable classes this fall.

Classes include:

• English as a Second Language
• GED preparation
• U.S. citizenship preparation
• Beginning Spanish
• Advanced Spanish conversation and grammar

💲 **Tuition is only $10 for the entire fall semester.**

📍 **Location:**
Former FISD Middle School Campus
College Street Building
110 West Travis Street, Fredericksburg
Enter from Orchard Street

**English, GED and Citizenship Classes**

Morning classes:
Tuesdays, 9:00–10:30 a.m.
August 18–November 17

Evening classes:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays, 6:00–8:00 p.m.
August 18–November 17

**Beginning Spanish**
Wednesdays, 5:00–6:00 p.m.
August 19–November 18

**Advanced Spanish Conversation and Grammar**
Thursdays, 5:00–6:00 p.m.
August 20–November 19

All tutors are volunteers. Classes will not be held if FISD cancels classes because of weather.

For more information, contact:

**JoAnna Vernetti Troppy**
956-457-4341
[email protected]

**Karen Vanek**
713-962-4037
[email protected]
Se habla español.

Please share this post with anyone who may be interested!

02/28/2026

No Gillespie Literacy Council Classes during Spring Break March 16-20, 2026

01/26/2026

Gillespie Literacy classes cancelled Tuesday morning and evening due to weather and road conditions.

01/09/2026

01/05/2026

Spring Classes Start January 13 at New Location

The Gillespie Literacy Council, in conjunction with Fredericksburg Independent School District Community Education, announces its new location for the Spring 2026 semester. Classes will meet in the former FISD Middle School campus, College Street Building, which most recently held sixth grade classes. Rooms 114, 115, 116 and 117 have been repurposed for the Literacy classes to start the 15-week spring semester on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

The former FISD Middle School is located at 110 West Travis Street, Fredericksburg, Texas. However, convenient parking for the literacy classes is available at the end of the 200 block of W. Orchard St. in the former bus turn around west of the campus. The entrance to the classroom building is immediately north of the parking area and west of the football field.

Classes for Basic Literacy, English as a Secondary Language, U.S. Spring Classes begin January 13

Citizenship, Conversational Spanish, and GED Preparation will be offered. There is a $10.00 tuition cost for the entire semester. All the classes are handicapped assessable, and free childcare will be provided during the evening classes.

The weekly schedule is:
ESL, Basic Literacy, Citizenship and GED Classes will meet weekly as follows:
Tuesday Mornings 9-10:30 am. beginning January 13, 2026
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, 6-8 p.m. beginning January 13, 2026

Conversational Spanish classes for beginners and advanced grammar: Wednesdays 5-6 pm. beginning January 14, 2026

The Gillespie Literacy Council provides tutoring for adults on a one-to-one basis or in a small group, so each adult student is allowed to learn at the student’s own pace.

The Gillespie Literacy Council is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that was founded in 1989 to promote literacy. The Gillespie Literacy Council admits students and tutors of any race, color and ethnic origin to all programs and activities.

For more information, email [email protected], call 956-457-4341 (English) or 713-962-4037 (Spanish) or visit the website:

Non-profit organization located in Fredericksburg, Texas

12/31/2025

The Fredericksburg Book Festival, on January 17, is free and open to the public. Adults and children can enjoy author presentations, book sales and signings, Typewriter Rodeo, free trolley rides between venues and an appearance by Pete the Cat. Please plan to attend.

10/21/2025

The Wednesday evening classes for ESL, citizenship and GED are moving to the Golden Hub. 1009 North Lincoln, Fredericksburg, from 6-8 p.m. for the rest of the semester.

The classes were being held at the Pioneer Memorial Library but had to be moved after a change in the library's hours.

We hope to see you this week!

10/07/2025

Michael Allshouse, GED student, and JoAnna Vernetti Troppy, Volunteer Executive Director of the Gillespie LIteracy Council.

09/08/2025

📚✨ Today is International Literacy Day! ✨📚

At Gillespie Literacy Council, we celebrate the power of reading, writing, and lifelong learning to change lives and strengthen our community. 💙

Pick up a book, share a story, and join us in celebrating literacy today!