Language & Cultural Services
LCS Bulletin - April 2019
The Bulletin is published the first Friday of every month. We would love to share your upcoming events, educational strategies, or anything that our LCS community needs to know.
Submitting information is easy; email Lisa Cole, and be sure to add your full name, title, phone number, headline, and content. Include the who, what, where, when, and why in the body of your article so our readers will have all of the information they need. Add LCS Bulletin in the subject line of your email (so I can search and not miss anything!).
The deadline for the May publication is April 22nd . We look forward to your submissions! If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Cole.
We Are Excited to Announce the Tulsa Public Schools Annual LCS Summit on July 30-31, 2019
The LCS Summit celebrates the linguistic and cultural diversity that exists, not only within our district, but also across the state of Oklahoma. Sessions will focus on cultural competence; engaging community resources; best practices for English learners (ELs), dual language, immersion, or world languages; Native American heritage; immigration and/or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA); or any variety of topics that support the educational achievement of diverse student populations. Registration for the LCS Summit is FREE and open to all education stakeholders; you can register here. If you have questions, please email teamlcs@tulsaschools.org
If you are interested in facilitating a learning session, we invite you to submit your session proposal now through May 3. TPS staff presenting at the summit will be compensated at the rate of $26 per presentation hour. For details regarding proposal guidelines and more information, please see the LCS Summit call for proposals.
Take a Break! Brain Breaks for English Learners Increase Focus, Motivation, and Engagement
By: Erick Herrmann (commentary)
We have all experienced those moments in the classroom where our students are noticeably sleepy, overwhelmed, or beginning to get disengaged. Often, these times come when we are presenting complex information, when students have spent significant time with students in one place, or towards the end of the day when students are tired from having been focusing on learning throughout the day. For our English learners, this cognitive exhaustion may be compounded by the fact that they are not only learning a lot of new information, but also learning that information in a new language. All students, but perhaps English learners in particular, can benefit from "brain breaks." READ MORE
McLain High School Students in Educators Rising Program Visit The University of Oklahoma
By Jessica Lanterman
Academic Coordinator of World Languages & Immersion
Eight students from McLain High School who have been participating this semester in the Educators Rising program with Jessica Lanterman, Academic Coordinator of World Languages & Immersion, had the opportunity to visit the University of Oklahoma in Norman. The program is for juniors and seniors who are interested in becoming World Language teachers and was made possible through ACTFL (the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) thanks to a grant that Dr. Borden of O.U.’s World Language Education Department received. The students got to meet professors, one of the deans, and they received information about how to get scholarships in order to become teachers and graduate debt free. They heard an inspiring message encouraging them to take advantage of study abroad opportunities, experience the world and its rich cultures, connect with people, and then to go on to share their heritage, experiences, and background with their students in the future. They also got a tour of the University of Oklahoma campus and learned about a summer opportunity to experience OU for a week for free. Kudos to their awesome Spanish teacher, Ms. Bianca Loza-Hernandez, for encouraging them to take part in this program! We can’t wait to see what the future holds for these juniors and seniors!
TPS Indian Education
WIDA eLearing Springtime Giveaway!
Have you and your colleagues tried a WIDA self-paced eWorkshop yet? Or did you begin an eWorkshop and not complete it? Now’s the time! We’re giving away some springtime prizes to help you finish this school year strong.
Here’s how it works:
1. Log in to your WIDA Secure Portal Account and click on the eLearning Tile. Choose the right eWorkshop for you (see attached WIDA Self-Paced eWorkshops flyer for course descriptions and more information.).
2. Complete at least one self-paced eWorkshop (including the survey and certificate) between September 1, 2018 and May 31, 2019 to be entered for a chance to win (one entry per person):
- Grand Prize: Registration plus travel and lodging to the 2019 WIDA Annual Conference in Providence, Rhode Island (1 winner)
- Registration to the 2019 WIDA Annual Conference in Providence, Rhode Island (1 winner)
- $50 gift card to the WIDA Store (2 winners)
3. WIDA will select winners and will receive notification via email by mid-June 2019.
4. LCS will provide travel funding if a TPS winner is selected!
For instructions on how to get TPS PD points for completing these modules, click here.
If you have questions or do not have a WIDA login, please reach out to Lisa Cole, ELD Coordinator.
Saying Goodbye
By Andrea Jantz
ELD Teacher, Carnegie ES
How do you have closure with students who move away? Sometimes we don’t even get a chance to say goodbye, much less have closure. But this year when Cindy, one of my Chinese students, was planning to move away, I knew far enough in advance that I was able to make a photo book for her. A few weeks before she left, we spent our class time quickly running around snapping photos with her favorite teachers and school staff. I had fun seeing what things she wanted pictures of such as the cafeteria which is something she doesn’t have in her Chinese school, the composites on the wall showing past Carnegie students, and the PE equipment. She has a very shy personality, and we decided that a photo book would help her to talk about her cross cultural experiences as she moved back to her Chinese school. While we don’t always have the time to make a goodbye gift for our students who move away, this newcomer had a special place in my heart and making a photo book was a fitting way for me to say goodbye.
4 Simple Ways to Support English Learners’ Comprehension
Simple strategies—like providing visual cues—that teachers can use to help English learners improve their understanding in any class. Read more here.
April Professional Learning
ELD Professional Learning Seminar (stipend)
April 11 3:35 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. or 4:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.Description: Practice and Application strategies.
ELD Super Strategies Saturday (stipend)
April 13 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Description: Creating language-rich classrooms through practice and application
ESL Study Group
April 16 3:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.
Congratulations Star Student of the Month, Webster Freshman Anna Zermeno!
Last month, our exemplary member of the freshman class at Webster High School, Anna Zermeno, was selected as the Star Student of the Month. Anna is a leader on the girl’s soccer team with an outstanding work ethic, great attendance and a 3.5 GPA. She is described by her teachers as an awesome leader who is always giving her best. Anna was nominated by her ELD teacher, Mary Holden. Congratulations Anna! You can find Anna’s story here.
Help us recognize outstanding Hispanic high school students in Tulsa Public Schools. Don’t forget to nominate your students for the last 2018-2019 Star Student of the Month!
Some reasons for nominating a student may include, but are not limited to academic success, high school involvement, and civic leadership. El Nacional Media will select the outstanding student making a difference in their classroom, school and the community. The selected student will be featured by El Nacional Media in their newspaper, website and social media platforms provided and produced in Spanish by El Nacional.
Nominations for our May Star Student of the Month can be submitted until Monday, April 29th. Nominators should submit the Student Nomination Form to jramos@elnacionalmedia.com. Nominations can also be completed online here.
If you have any questions, please contact Maricarmen Mitchell
Watch the April ELD Department Meeting Here!
Browse Ellevation Strategies
Need Language Assistance? Contact the TPS Language Assistance Services Team
Language Assistance Request Information
When should I submit a request for language assistance services?
Language assistance services for Tulsa Public Schools should be provided for any event or communication (behavioral, IEP, discipline, after school events, Etc.). Interpreters and document translation are available to school staff at no charge to facilitate communication with parents and guardians who may have limited English proficiency.
How do I request for an (oral) interpreter?
An interpreter request can be submitted through our Language Assistance Portal. If you are needing interpreters for multiple dates as well as multiple languages. Please remember to submit one request for each language and each date needed. The note section is for additional information. Ex: John Doe will be responsible for the equipment, please drop it off to him at the EC, Rm 3. Also, please remember to specify in the request if it is related to Special ED (IEP, MEEGs, etc.) as these request are processed by another department. Requests for interpreters must be submitted at least 5 days prior to the event. Requests submitted in less than 5 days are not guaranteed to be provided with an interpreter.
How do I request a for a document to be translated (written)?
A translation request can be submitted through our Language Assistance Portal . Please remember to submit one request for each document that you need translated. You may include needed additional languages in the note section. Requests for document translation take approximately 10 business days depending on the length and complexity of the document. Requests submitted in less than 10 days may not be completed by the time requested.
Another useful resource is TransAct Parent Notifications, a website with libraries of educational forms translated in over 20 languages, including Tulsa PS forms.
For more information about language assistance contact:
Language Assistance Services Team
2819 S. New Haven Ave.
Tulsa, Ok 74114
Suite 127
T: 918-746-6112 or 918-746-6701
F: 918-746-7510
Email: languageassistance.org
Are you curious about how others have been able to successfully implement ReadyRosie with their students and families? Learn how teachers across the country are using ReadyRosie to engage families - from classroom integration and family workshops to home learning. View this pre-recorded webinar where you can get lots of ideas on how to make ReadyRosie work for you!
April Tasks for ELD Teachers
- Complete ELAPs for new students
- Verify that ELD services, modifications, accommodations, and goals are current in Ellevation.
- Complete consult monitoring
- Review data audits
- Print testing accommodations for OSTP. Screenshots and instructions on pp. 50-54 in the Ellevation Guidebook.
- Complete Oklahoma School testing Program (OSTP) preparation (refer to ELD Guidebook).
- Follow up with teachers on FEL Monitoring. FEL Monitoring Window is March 11- May 3. Refer to pp 93-96 in the ELD Guidebook and the April Virtual Department Meeting. You can find all of the department meetings and PowerPoints along with other helpful ELD materials at the http://bit.ly/eldonline
End of Year Checklist for ELD Teachers
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Language & Cultural Services
Email: coleli1@tulsaschools.org
Website: www.tulsaschools.org
Location: 2819 S New Haven Ave, Tulsa, OK, United States
Phone: 918-746-6842
Facebook: facebook.com/tpsmultilingual
Twitter: @tpsmultilingual