RBERN West Newsletter
December 2021
RECENT NEWS
Additional Flexibility in the Timelines for Using Funds Associated with Approved 2019-20 Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Funded Grant Programs
The New York State Education Department (NYSED) recognizes that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted Local Educational Agency (LEA) budgeting and spending, as many LEAs were not able to engage in planned activities during the 2020-21 school year due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The U.S. Department of Education (USDE) has granted NYSED’s request for waivers to allow remaining Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) funds to be added to existing federal funds to address the impact of lost instructional time and provide additional academic supports in the 2021-22 school year as schools work to make a full return from the pandemic.
State Assessment Ordering Reminders
The Grades 3-8 Mathematics Tests will be available in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Haitian Creole, Korean, Russian, and Spanish in PBT format. Five of these languages will also be available for the Mathematics Tests in CBT format: Chinese (Simplified), Haitian Creole, Korean, Russian, and Spanish.
The Spring 2022 Grade 4 and Grade 8 Science Tests will be available in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Haitian Creole, Korean, Russian, and Spanish
Alternate Language Accommodation for English Language Learners for Grades 3-8 ELA and Mathematics
Reminder Concerning ELL (English Language Learners) Alternate Language Computer Based Tests:
- Students receiving CBT in an alternate language, will automatically receive a paper English copy to use as an accommodation. The student records their responses in the Nextera Test Delivery System.
- Alternate Language CBT tests are directed to scorers who can translate that language, so the student may write their responses in their native language.
- If an ELL student is taking a computer-based test in English, they will NOT receive a paper copy of the alternate language test. They may use bilingual dictionaries and glossaries. The test is not directed to scorers who can score alternate language tests so the student would write their answers in English
- How the ELL student takes their CBT test is based on their ELL status.
- For additional guidance, please refer to the School Administrators Manual (SAM)
NYSESLAT
For any new building principal that may not having access to order NYSESLAT, please call MetriTech’s customer service at 800-747-4868 to have the building administrator information updated and new ordering credentials emailed.
Enrollment and McKinney Vento Reminders
RBERN West is in regular communication with WNY resettlement agencies to keep up to date on immigration and refugee arrivals, populations, and needs. Currently, we are seeing an increase in Afghan arrivals. Due to housing difficulties, families are being temporarily and permanently placed all over WNY.
For questions and concerns related to homelessness under McKinney Vento please work with your district liaison and directly contact:
New York State Technical and Education Assistance Center for Homeless Students (NYS-TEACHS) 1-800-388-2014 (Helpline for questions about school-related issues)
Resettlement agencies have shared some difficulties in enrolling students when a birth certificate is not available and parents cannot prove relationship. Please see A Guide to Understanding the New Rules for School Registration for acceptable documents when enrolling families with limited access to traditional documentation.
Regional Information Meetings to Discuss Graduation Measures in NYS
The virtual meetings are an integral part of Phase I in the Board and Department’s review of graduation measures and will offer opportunities for stakeholders and members of the public to share input.
- The Buffalo area is encouraged to join one of the meetings with Regent Catherine Collins on January 27th from 2:00-4:30pm (register here) or February 3rd from 2:00-4:30pm (registration info forthcoming).
- Additionally, stakeholders are encouraged to participate in a virtual Thought Exchange on graduation requirement. Click HERE to Access Thought Exchange.
NYSSB One-Page Briefs for Students and Families in Multiple Languages
NYSED OBEWL November Newsletter
In this edition, you can find the following articles:
- Letter from the Associate Commissioner
- ELL Task Forces
- NYS Language RBERN
- Translated materials for diploma requirements
- Online courses to support teaching ELLs
- World Language Professional Learning Series
- NYSAFLT Annual conference
- NYSSB
- and more!
WORLD LANGUAGES
NYSED 2018 Languages Other Than English (now World Languages) Frequently Asked Questions
This document answers LOTE/WL questions on the following topics:
- LOTE Instruction
- Graduation Requirements
- Students with Disabilities
- Common Middle School Programs
- Course of Study
- Transfer Students
- Credit by Examination (Challenge)
- Locally Developed Tests
- 4+1 Pathway to Graduation
- Special Situations
World Language Checkpoint Exams
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Upcoming OBEWL World Language Workshops
Roadmap to College for ELL Parents and ELL High School Seniors
Saturday / December 11, 2021 / 10am – 1pm
Chinese, English, Haitian-Creole and Spanish
AUDIENCE
- Parents and families of ELL High School Juniors and Seniors
- ELL High School Juniors and Seniors
DESCRIPTION
In this workshop, we will review and discuss:
- NYS High School Graduation Requirements
- Parent and Family role/s in supporting / assisting your child throughout the college application process
- College Application Timeline
- Financing a college education
- Student eligibility for financial aid
RESOURCES
Literacy Buffalo Niagara
The mission of Literacy Buffalo Niagara is to develop literacy skills by providing free tutoring in Erie and Niagara counties through engagement and training of diverse community volunteers.
Their vision is that all people in Erie and Niagara counties are literate.
Latinx KidLit Book Festival
A virtual celebration of Latinx KidLit authors, illustrators and books.
For educators, students, and book lovers!
Recorded Webinar: Educational Experiences of Afghans
Blog Post
Dari and Pashto: Afghan Languages Fun Facts & Books (Language Lizard)
There are over 40 different languages spoken in Afghanistan!. In fact, the majority of the country identifies as bilingual. While the lingua franca of Afghanistan is Dari, both Dari and Pashto are considered the official languages of the country.
Flippity.net
Educational Activities and Games with Flippity
This is a free website that provides a wide range of templates that you can fill in with your own content to create activities to share using a link or QR Code .
These can include activities such as:
- Flashcards - Add text, images, and videos to create a flashcard set
- Quiz Show - The Flippity version of a Jeopardy game
- Scavenger Hunt - Create your own "Breakout" style game
- Fun With Words - Make artistic versions of words
- Matching Game - Create a memory game with words and / or pictures
- Manipulatives - Create a set of click-and-drag objects.
Thanks to Collette Farone-Goodwin from Mid-State RBERN for sharing!
How to Support Your Child’s Social-Emotional Health: 8 Tips for Families (Colorín Colorado)
LIU - Online Advanced Certificate in Childhood Education for ESOL Teachers
Based on the success of the past cohorts, we have extended the opportunity for ESOL certified
teachers to earn a Childhood Education certificate (Grades 1 – 6) through our NYSED-approved,
17-credit online advanced certificate program.
- Receive a 45% tuition reduction as part of the cohort.
- Start with 2 courses Spring 2022, continue in Summer 2022 and finish in Fall 2022.
- Successful completers will be recommended for NYSED certification through LIU Hudson.
For further information, please contact Dr. Lea Rutmanowitz at Lea.Rutmanowitz@liu.edu
How poetry helps this young Afghan refugee ’empty’ her pains and share her dreams (PBS NewHour)
Explainer: How Are Refugees Resettled In The U.S.? (Newsy)
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
40 Under 40: Finune Shaibi, Director of Accountability and Assessment, Clarence Central School District
Source: Buffalo Business First
Honoring Our Indigenous Roots
The 3rd grade dual language team at Bilingual Center #33 introduced students to this rich history, including the petroglyphs left behind by the Taínos that can still be found all over Puerto Rico. Students analyzed the Taino symbols and created their own. The students also received a special visit from El Batey Puerto Rican Center Founder and Executive Director Beatriz Flores who presented on Puerto Rican Bomba dance and drumming. A special shout out to Linda Mauras and Justin Ostrowski for empowering their students with the knowledge of their culture and traditions.
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: rbernwest@e1b.org
Website: www.rbernwest.e1b.org
Location: 355 Harlem Road, Buffalo, NY, USA
Phone: (716)821-7531
Twitter: @RBERNwest