Program Newsletter
EWSD Multilingual Learner Program Newsletter
Quote
“If you would like to greet someone who is Nepali, you can say “Namaste”. You can say Namaste for both hello and goodbye. The word “Namaste” is often said along with a bow and putting your hands together”.
-Prem Bhattarai EWSD Multilingual Liaison
CJC & Multilingual Program Collaboration
Prem Bhattarai and Karen Dolan co-facilitated a meeting between the Essex Community Justice Center and the EWSD Multilingual Liaisons, Interpreters, and Spectrum partners. The CJC will offer paid training to our team in a partnership designed to increase culturally sustaining conflict resolution with families in the EWSD community. More information will be sent out soon through email.
Performances at Family Event
Would you like to be a part of the Dec 8th family event? This time, we are planning to invite everyone to share a cultural dance, performance, or song during the presentation time. Please let me know if you, or someone you know, would like to do a performance. Cindy Rancourt has already volunteered to do some Korean drumming with friends!
So far, we have the EHS Library reserved for Dec 8th from 5:00 pm-7 pm. The event will be similar to last time where all families receive a book like this, there will be a presentation and/or performance, and we'll have a potluck (some food/drinks are catered). We will still do the raffle and the children's section.
Useful Resources & PD Opportunity
Useful Resources
- Here is a resource from WIDA with some great information about identifying ELLs with Specific Learning Disabilities, and what to consider.
- Here is a resource called "Tools and Resources for Addressing English Learners with Disabilities" from the US Department of Education with charts to help distinguish between learning difference and English Language acquisition.
TESOL PD: Separating Difference from Disability with Students Learning English as an Additional Language
This four-week course, designed for K–12 practitioners working with limited English language learners in general education, bilingual education, ESOL/ELL education, and special education, addresses specific issues in assessment, intervention, and identification strategies that are most effective in separating difference from disability. Participants will learn what tools and strategies are available and appropriate to use. Responses to intervention models for English language learners will also be explored, focusing on the interpretation of data gathered during the general education intervention problem-solving process, prior to conducting an evaluation for special education.
TESOL is authorized by IACET to offer 4 CEUs for this online course.
ACCESS Testing
The ACCESS test window is 1/5/23-3/10/23. We have already ordered the ACCESS tests and uploaded the student lists. Thank you to all EL teachers for ensuring data is accurate in the PowerSchool ELL Data Entry screen, as well as ELLevation.
Software for EL Students
Multilingual Book Software- Polylino
Polylino has a library of books in our students' home languages. Students can access a wide variety of books online that are read to them both in their heritage language and English. The student accounts allow home access. Thank you to Stephanie Segretto for discovering this great resource!
Lexia ELD
We now have Lexia ELD for EL teachers in the EWSD! Lexia English Language Development is an adaptive blended learning program that supports Emergent Bilingual students’ English language acquisition through academic conversations. It is closely aligned with WIDA standards. Thank you to Kristina Natal for testing out this software and recommending it to others!
CTE Diversity Day
Native American History Month
Thank you to EWSD EL Teacher Stephanie Segretto for sharing these resources about Native American History month!
The Arabic Quilt
Projects in Progress
Robocalls for Bus Cancellations
Ticketing System
Noor Bulle (Multilingual Liaison for BSD & EWSD) and Tamara are working on a video about the SysAid ticketing system. We will be sending the video to EL teachers, Interpreters & Liaisons soon, along with a survey.
Trauma Support for Refugee/Immigrant Families & Students
Thank you to everyone who completed the TST-R (trauma support for refugees) survey. Betsy and Tamara are meeting with AALV and Connecting Cultures in late November to talk about the next steps.
Multilingual Program Advisory Council
The Multilingual Program Advisory Council has met twice so far. The Council consists of parents, staff and Multilingual Liaisons, and the Multicultural program. Anyone connected to the Multilingual Program can request to join. The goal for this year is to build the council and identify community agreements, by-laws, procedures, values, and goals. If you or someone you know would like to be a part of the council, please reach out to Tamara at tparks@ewsd.org.
Previous Newsletters
Here is a list of our previous newsletters.