RBERN West Newsletter
October 2021
RECENT NEWS
Extension of Special Administration of the NYSITELL
See full text on NYSED website.
NYSED OBEWL Sept-Oct Newsletter
In this edition, you can find the following articles:
- Letter from the Associate Commissioner
- Classroom Practices for Multilingual Learners
- ELL Advisory Council and Safe Reopening & Using the American Rescue Plan Funding
- Science Initiatives
- Parent Communication Guidance from US Department of Justice
- World Language Updates
NYS Diploma Requirements: Translated Materials for Families
Translated materials to support students’ and families’ understanding of the NYS Diploma Requirements are now available in the following languages: Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified), French, Haitian Creole, Karen, Russian, Spanish, Urdu, and Uzbek (Latin).
NYSSB Guidance on Exemptions due to COVID-19
A: Yes. Students who received an exemption from an ELA Regents exam during the COVID-19 pandemic, including June 2020, August 2020, January 2021, June 2021, and August 2021 administrations of the exam, have earned a point toward criterion 1A of the NYSSB. To be eligible to receive these exemptions, students must have been enrolled in and received credit for the course that normally culminates in the corresponding Regents exam.
Q: How are such exemptions noted on the End of Year Data form for reporting purposes?
A: There is no special notation for NYSSB criteria that are met by exemptions. Seal Coordinators will mark the criterion met on the End of Year Data form as normal.
Q: May a student who received an exemption from the ELA Regents Exam (June 2020, August 2020, January 2021, June 2021, or August 2021) under the COVID guidance issued by NYSED use said exemption to earn a point for criterion 1A toward the NYSSB?
A: Yes. Students who received an exemption from the ELA Regents Exam (June 2020, August 2020, January 2021, June 2021, or August 2021) under the COVID guidance issued by NYSED have earned a point for criterion 1A toward the NYSSB. These exemptions follow the student through graduation.
Q: May an ELL who received an exemption from two Regents Exams other than English (June 2020, August 2020, January 2021, June 2021, and/or August 2021) under the COVID guidance issued by NYSED use said exemption to earn a point for criterion 1A toward the NYSSB?
A: Yes. ELLs who received an exemption from two Regents Exams other than English (June 2020, August 2020, January 2021, June 2021, and/or August 2021) under the COVID guidance issued by NYSED have earned a point for criterion 1A toward the NYSSB. These exemptions follow the student through graduation.
Q: May an ELL who received an exemption from the spring 2020 NYSESLAT exam under the COVID guidance issued by NYSED use said exemption to earn a point for criterion 1B toward the NYSSB?
A: Yes. ELLs who, during their 9th-12th grade years, received an exemption from the spring 2020 NYSESLAT exam under the COVID guidance issued by NYSED, have earned a point for criterion 1B toward the NYSSB. This exemption follows the student through graduation.
Provision of Educational Services for Recently Arrived Unaccompanied Children and Youth
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Immigration and Education PD Series
FREE and VIRTUAL Professional Development Modules designed to facilitate conversations and hands-on learning activities centered around supporting immigrant and
refugee students, families, and educators at school.
The last day to sign-up for a spot in one of the two CTLE courses offered below is Friday, October 1st.
Introduction to Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education
Please register for this PD opportunity hosted by our partners at the Long Island RBERN.
NYSTESOL 2021 Conference
Have you registered yet for the NYS TESOL 51st Annual Conference? This year's conference will be hybrid, with a virtual day on Thursday, November 4th and in-person days on Friday, November 5th and Saturday, November 6th at the Sonesta White Plains in New York (formerly the Crowne Plaza).
The conference theme is Looking Forward: Educational Empowerment and Transformative Education. They are offering three full days of workshops, plenary speakers, and practical sessions. This year will also have virtual, international site visits, an administrator ENL boot camp focusing on ENL regulations, and speed networking sessions. Plus, be sure to join for the dinner and dance party on Friday night! There is currently a LIMITED NUMBER of seats available so don't delay!
You have the opportunity to earn up to 6 CTLE credits per day of attendance. 2022 NYS TESOL membership is included with ALL conference registrations. Please share this conference information with anyone in your network who may be interested in attending! If you have any questions, please email pres@nystesol.org.
If you are a current NYS TESOL member, be sure to use the email address associated with your account in order to receive a discounted rate. You can also book your Sonesta Hotel room for a reduced rate using the code here.
RESOURCES
Ups and Downs
Mulu-tsehay Bogale Belete is a well-known educator of English Language Learners in Western New York. She taught for many years at the Buffalo Public School’s Newcomer Academy and at Lafayette International High School. Mulu devoted her unwavering attention on instructing students identified as newcomers. She also served as a Coordinator in the Bilingual Education Technical Assistance Center (BETAC) at Erie 1 BOCES. However, this brief review of her most recent positions doesn’t even scratch the surface on all of her professional accomplishments achieved during her lifetime. Her most recent undertaking is the creation of a bilingual book of poems in Amharic and English entitled: Ups and Downs.
Julie Horn, former Assistant Principal for Lafayette High School writes, “The poet shares the unforgettable and challenging moments she encountered as a black immigrant woman – who persevered. Hard-work, trials, a forward focus and faith made the poet indefatigable and cause her to continue her pursuit for an abundant, thriving life for all mankind. Ups and Downs is a stirring collection of poetry which conveys the struggles of immigrants and refugees navigating the conflicts between reality and expectations, including the linguistic and cultural adaptation process, in order to achieve their dreams.”
In preparing this article, Mulu shared with us the title of one of her poems – “That Immigrant African Woman” located on page 111 of the book. The first stanza in her poem reads,
That immigrant African woman filled with strife
Who never gives up in her life
Makes me happy and smile
Feel strong and agile
The book of poems written by our Ethiopian American colleague was done to help fund Orphaned Ethiopian School Children who need school supplies as they survive the on-going crisis caused by the civil war. We invite you to e-mail the author directly at Unitedwestand1621@gmail.com if you would like to purchase the book. The cost of the book is $20.
Supporting Young English Learners at Home
SUNY Buffalo BXE Winter Intensive Institute
SUNY Buffalo State has successfully hosted both Summer and Winter Intensive Institutes in Bilingual Special Education. This past summer, they worked with several teachers from Rochester, Buffalo, and East Ramapo!
They will host another Winter intensive institute for teachers to obtain their bilingual extension. The program will be 100% online with a start date of November 1st.
Global Book Hour with SUNY Buffalo State
The Global Book Hour (GBH) integrates geography, vocabulary, music and visual arts into a weekly one-hour session held at the Community Music School of Buffalo.
Each week focuses on a different part of the world, and all activities center on “travel” to this location. Children and their families participate in the weekly activities and continue learning through suggested activities made available at the session and online.
Come join us on Thursdays: 4:00 -5:00 pm
10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/4 & 11/18
Community Music School: 217 E Delavan Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14208
Afghan Humanitarian Parolees: Benefit Eligibility in New York State
Following the formal withdrawal of American troops and the emerging humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, New York State began welcoming Afghan evacuees. Afghan nationals admitted as refugees, SIVs, and SQ/SI parolees are eligible for the full range of federal benefits administered through the Office of Refugee Resettlement. Those who enter the U.S. on a temporary basis under a provision called “humanitarian parole” are eligible for a more limited range of support. The below outlines the most common public benefits available to Afghan nationals residing in New York State, who entered the United States under humanitarian parole.
RBERNing Questions Podcast from Mid-State RBERN
New NYSED CRSE Resources - Topic Briefs & Roadmap
Community Spotlight
The RBERN Team Reunites!
Want to share the story of an unsung hero?
About Us
The Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network West is part of a statewide system of support, funded by the NYSED Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages (OBE-WL).
Mission: Collaborate with educators, parents, and community members to promote academic excellence and ensure high school graduation for all multilingual learners.
Vision: A community that provides access to an excellent and equitable education for multilingual learners that prepares them to be prosperous participants of a free and democratic society.
Email: dnovak@e1b.org
Website: www.rbernwest.e1b.org
Location: 355 Harlem Road, Buffalo, NY, USA
Phone: (716)821-7531
Twitter: @RBERNwest