From The Department of ELLs...
An Invitation: ESL Focus Training Kickoff, September 22
Meet the New ESL Focus Trainings for 2016-2017!
In response to a fresh charge from our new Interim Executive Director, Dr. David Kauffman, we have made a few changes to these trainings. On one hand, our focus has narrowed in that we will be directing it towards addressing the needs of two very specific student groups, newcomer and long term ELLs. On the other hand, we are broadening our agenda. We hope you will be able to join us!
Here's what you can expect from the trainings. Our purpose at each training is to:
- Model a strategy that purposefully address the needs of both long term and newcomer ELLs in a grade level, content-driven context.
- Ensure that strategies address specific domains of language acquisition such as writing or (structured independent) reading.
- Provide a supportive and collaborative platform for teachers to connect with colleagues and other district personnel in a more personal setting
- Share and celebrate successes and collectively problem-solve issues
- Notify teachers of new district initiatives, professional development opportunities, research updates, and resources
- Expand attendance by offering the option of attending via Google Hangouts and alternating north/south locations.
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY! NEW INFO! ESL Focus Training - Kickoff
The kickoff will be held at a central location, Kealing Middle School, in the library.
And we are happy to announce that teachers WILL receive a stipend for attending either in person or via Google Hangouts. Please be sure to RSVP to this flyer to facilitate planning on our end.
- After September 22nd, dates will alternate north and south locations to address the challenge of Austin's traffic gridlock.
- Locations are being confirmed for future dates and will be announced in advance.
- Light refreshments will be served.
- Bring a question, a success story, or an artifact from your classes to share.
If you choose to attend via Google Hangout: We are trying to accommodate our teachers by offering this as a way to participate. Please help us by following this protocol:
- You will receive a phone call to go over the protocol for attending the meeting. Let us know if you have any questions at that point and do a guided, initial practice accessing the hangout.
- You must physically be at an Austin ISD campus between 5:00 and 6:30 pm in order to get credit and the stipend for attending via Google Hangouts.
- You will receive an email to join the Hangout on the actual day of the training, September 22nd, about 15 minutes before the training begins, about 4:45. Thank you for being prompt!
- Be prepared to share a question, a success story, or an artifact from your classes.
Future ESL Focus Trainings: (All are on Thursday.) Locations "TBD" will be announced later.
NOTE: It is now required that teachers register in HCP at least 2 days in advance of the trainings in order to allow time for our clerk to enter you into the new system (BOLT) that accounts for attendance at after-hours trainings.
HCP Course numbers for future trainings are not available as of today, but will be published in time for registration hereafter. (We will use the RSVP feature on this flyer to enter your information for the September date.)
- October 13: Travis High School
- November 17: Webb Middle School, Library
- December 8: Bedichek Middle School, Library
- January 19: TBD
- February 16: Lanier High School, Gold Room
- April13: Crockett High School, Library
- May 18: TBD
Thursday, Sep 22, 2016, 05:00 PM
Kealing Middle School, Pennsylvania Avenue, Austin, TX, United States
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Google Hangouts Option
Please bear with us as we put procedures in place for this! WE apologize for the long, wordy instructions. PLEASE CALL IF THESE INSTRUCTIONS ARE NOT CLEAR (number below.)
Learn more about Google Hangouts here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYYszx8SYlY
To join via Google Hangouts:
- Log in from any Austin ISD campus using your AISD credentials.
- You will receive a phone call from Barbara Adkisson the day of the training so that we can account for anyone attending via Google Hangouts and provide instructions and answer any questions you may have.
- You will receive an email invitation to join the hangout. Click on the invitation and you will be taken to the next screen where you can join.
- If the above doesn't work, you can join by accessing Google Hangouts from your Google Drive. See instructions by clicking on the link at the bottom of this flyer.
- During the training, your attendance from an Austin ISD must be monitored:
2) We will check for your participation through the chat room feature at various times.
If you are not familiar with the platform (Google Hangouts), please feel free to contact our team with any questions. You will also be called before the training to see if you have any questions and make sure you are set up and ready to go.