Program Newsletter

“Learning another language is not only learning different words for the same things, but learning another way to think about things.”

-Flora Lewis

Multilingual CTE student Ahmad was proud to share his language skills in the CTE preschool class, as he feels the diversity of his experiences is valued by the teachers and the students in the program. Kudos to the amazing program teachers who worked hard to set the tone for celebrating diversity in their classrooms! Here are videos of the Swahili lesson.

If you're considering coming to CTE as a non-native English speaker, it's important for you to understand what type of support you will be getting here at the Technical Center.

Explore our Multilingual Learner Department and get to know the teachers, Marina Brzostoski and Cynthia Yopp. Thank you to EL teacher Marina Brzostoski for sharing!

Please welcome Noel Mukiza, Swahili and French Interpreter, and Jaqui Prado, Spanish Interpreter! We are excited you are joining the EWSD Interpretation/Translation team!

EL teachers are now in the process of administering ACCESS tests to EL students. For 2022-23, the ACCESS Test window is from January 5th, 2023 to March 10th, 2023. Please keep in mind that students going through ACCESS testing may be tired, the testing can be pretty exhausting for them. A pep talk, snack or a little wiggle room can be helpful.

A big thanks to Victoria Tibbits at the Essex Free Library for securing a grant to give a copy of the book EL Viaje Mas Caro to every EL teacher in EWSD. Now, EMS Teacher EL Teacher Hannah Prescott and ADL EL Teacher Courtney Power-Freeman will be distributing 180 copies of the book to teachers at their schools to read in PLC groups. If you'd like to learn about this amazing story, here is the link to purchase the book and a short video about how the book was made.

Polylino is a digital picture book service that supports early childhood education and literacy in classrooms and childcare centers. Teachers and parents can choose from a large virtual library of books that can be read aloud in English and a growing collection of books read aloud in dozens of different languages. A big thank you to EL Teacher Stephanie Segretto for her work on this project!

To enter the lottery (open 1/17/23 - 2/28/23) please visit the EWSD PreK website at https://www.ewsd.org/prek. Please share these translated flyers with community members! If needed, one of our interpreters can help with sign-up.

The ML Advisory Council meets once a month and is currently in the process of learning about the EWSD Equity Policy and setting goals for this year that align with the policy. If you or someone you know is interested in being a part of the ML Advisory Council please reach out to an interpreter or liaison, or email tparks@ewsd.org. This is a hybrid meeting (you can join on Zoom). Interpretation can be provided if needed, and we often have delicious home-cooked food!

Do you like to write, perform or hear poetry? A very special monthly event is starting soon at the Essex Free Library and you are all invited! Bring your families and friends.

Event: Open Mic Poetry

Location: Essex Free Library 1 Browns River Rd, Essex Junction, VT 05452

Date and Time: Monthly, begins February 23rd, 6 pm-7 pm

Cost: Free

Refreshments Provided: Hot chocolate, tea, and coffee will be provided!

• The Arabic Quilt by Aya Khalil
• Dreamers by Yuji Morales

• Volunteer or offer assistance with USCRI please email volunteer@uscrivt.org
• Donate
• Sponsor a Refugee Family

Here is a small list of recommended books, resources, trainings, short videos and landmark cases for EWSD leaders, faculty and staff.

SIOP, or "Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol" is a powerful strategy for providing second language learners with the same high-quality, academically challenging content that native English speakers receive. Both classroom teachers and EL teachers benefit from using sheltered instruction with English Learners.

The components of SIOP are as follows:

• Content objectives clearly defined, displayed and reviewed with students.
• Language objectives clearly defined, displayed and reviewed with students.

• Content concepts appropriate for age and educational background level of students.

If you're interested in learning more about SIOP, there is a PD on Feb 23-24th called "TESOL Trainer's English Learner Institute Feb 23-24- The Principles and Practices of Sheltered Instruction".

The conference, titled We All Belong, will be held in Burlington area schools and the DoubleTree Conference Center on May 5th and 6th, 2023. This conference is FREE to all Vermont educators. Location: 870 Williston Road Burlington, VT 05403

You can learn more about our program and interpretation/translation services on the EWSD Multilingual Program web page.

If you would like to volunteer for an upcoming family event, please reach out to tparks@ewsd.org for information.

EL = Student receiving English Language services

ML= Multilingual student who may or may not receive EL services

Email: tparks@ewsd.org
Website: https://www.ewsd.org/Page/2518