EL Happenings
Volume 4 Issue 1
Feature-Focus on Culture
Perry Township welcomes families from diverse cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds because the Perry community celebrates diversity as one of our strengths. We strive to provide equitable access, quality resources, and an inclusive environment to all of our students. Many families have their first contact with Perry Schools with our amazing front office staff all over the district. One shining example of this tremendous service to our families is found at Southport's 6th Grade Academy.
This is why this month’s focus is Southport 6th Grade Academy's Maria Shacklock, guidance secretary. She greets families with a smile as they come into enroll, ask for help, or navigate their new school. Maria makes sure that all families are supported whether that means having materials translated, helping families with filling out paperwork, or helping them understand school requirements. She does a phenomenal job making sure that families feel welcomed and wanted in our school! Her motto is "Think, Stay, Be" Think Positive. Stay positive. Be positive. She treats everyone that walks into her office like they are her top priority. Thanks Maria and all of the fantastic office staff that support our families in the phenomenal way that they do!
Teacher Takeaway
There are almost 200 languages that can be translated. Click on the picture below and you will see a list of language codes. You would choose the ISO 639-1 Code column.
For example, if you type the English word in A2 and want the Burmese translation in B2.... in B2, you would type =Google Translate(A2, "en", "my") and sheets would translate it for you. Keep in mind that some of our students may not be strong in reading their native language and multiple meaning words may not have accurate translations. This is still a new resource that can be a game changer for some!
Would you rather just copy a sheet that is already done and drag the formula down a column? Feel free to make a copy of this sheet and make changes for yourself:)
Compliance Corner
This year has been off to a great start! While everyone is welcoming returning students, many buildings are also serving new students and families to Perry Township. Your EL teams have been placement testing and identifying the needs of those students. Once students are identified and placed, your EL team will develop each student's plan and communicate that with teachers through an ILP (Individual Learning Plan). You should be able to see those by August 19, 2019, in Skyward. Please talk with your EL teachers if you need access to an ILP or have questions about the process.
The IDOE has created a series of videos to introduce the English Learning Program. Please check out the first three videos in the series discussing legal requirements and enrolling and placement of English learners.
Parent Liason Update
District EL Coaches
Nichole Seal
Email: nseal@perryschools.org
Twitter: @NicholeSeal2
Email: jtidd@perryschools.org
Twitter: @JJTidd