SLPS ESOL ExcELLence Newsletter
Issue 6, 2020-2021
Teacher of the Month
Julie Molloy, ESOL Teacher at Mullanphy
Honorable Mention
Addie Boeving, ESOL teacher at Mullanphy, for staff supports.
Jessica Himsworth, Classroom teacher at NCNAA K-8, for student, parent, and staff supports.
Jessica Martin, Itinerant ESOL Teacher, for student supports.
Julia McDonnell, ESOL teacher at Dewey ES, for staff and student supports.
Nicole Misra, ESOL Teacher at Soldan HS, for student supports.
Seal of Biliteracy & Pathways to Biliteracy Awards 2020-2021
Submitted by Dr. Gonazalez Del Castillo, ESOL Program Director.
The deadline for the Seal of Biliteracy and Pathways to Biliteracy award applications has been extended until Friday, March 19, 2021. Completed applications should be sent to the ESOL Office, Attn. Erna Kadic (erna.kadic@slps.org).
About the Seal of Biliteracy:
The Seal of Biliteracy recognizes graduating seniors who demonstrate proficiency in English and any of the world’s languages. Native English speakers studying a foreign language as well as English language learners acquiring English and maintaining their native language are eligible for this award. The award becomes part of the student’s transcript. It can benefit students when applying to certain Missouri universities and when applying for jobs at certain Missouri businesses.
About Pathways to Biliteracy:
To encourage students to become biliterate and attain proficiency in English and any of the world’s languages, the Saint Louis Public Schools offers 2 Pathways to Biliteracy awards: Emerging Bilingual (available to students completing PreK-4) and Developing Bilingual (available to students completing 5th and 8th grades).
For more information about the Seal of Biliteracy and Pathways to Biliteracy, CLICK HERE.
Language Access Support during Parent-Teacher Conferences
Submitted by Dr. Gonzalez Del Castillo, ESOL Program Director.
Remember to use language access supports to ensure meaningful communication with ELL families during Parent-Teacher Conferences. Telephonic interpretation will be used to support all district languages during Parent-Teacher Conferences.
- Use ELL Alert in SIS and ELL Family Directory to identify ELL parents’ language needs.
- For Parent-Teacher Conferences conducted between 7 am and 3:30 pm, continue to utilize the district language access team to support your communication with ELL parents. Click Here to access the list of district translators/interpreters and their contact information.
- For Parent-Teacher Conferences conducted outside of the above-mentioned time frame and for languages not represented on the district language access team, use site-specific telephonic interpretation code provided to your principal (ESOL center schools) or your ELL contact person (non-center schools) at the beginning of the school year.
- When telephonic interpretation is used to support a conference conducted via Zoom or Teams, access interpreters using the telephonic interpretation access code and put the interpreter on the speakerphone.
- When telephonic interpretation is used to support a conference conducted over the phone, access interpreters through a 3-way call.
ABC Welcome Books
Submitted by Tuyet Nguyen, ESOLParent Specialist
Thank you for creating such awesome Welcome Books for our ELL students! Before I send the books to RICOH to print, I am asking for a confirmation from an ESOL teacher from each school that 1) the pictures used in the book do not include SLPS students or 2) for the pictures that do include SLPS students and they can be identified, that their name is on that slide and a signed media release form ponied to the ESOL Office. I appreciate you helping me with this part.
Next Parent Event: Virtual Math Hour
Friday, Mar 19, 2021, 09:00 AM
undefined
ACCESS for ELLs Update:
Thank you for your efforts in administering ACCESS for ELLs this year!
Submitted by Heather Tuckson, ESOL Coordinator
Just a few friendly reminders:
- Please continue to reach out to families with virtual students who need to complete ACCESS. You may include your school social worker in these efforts and request home visits for students you are struggling to reach.
- The ACCESS for ELLs testing window closes on March 19th. Please return all of your testing materials received in your WIDA boxes back to the Assessment Office by end of day March 19th. Headsets should be bagged and stored in a secure location for future ACCESS testing.
- If you have students who do not have a Pre-ID label, you can reference the Test Administrator's Manual p. 13 to support you in completing the demographic Information.
- If you have students out of the district attending virtual classes, please forward these special cases to Heather Tuckson.
- Please forward any Refusal to Participate in ACCESS to Heather Tuckson as soon as possible, to ensure adequate time to follow up with families.
Many of you are working with ELL students and families who used services from the International Institute. Please see message below about ways to support their work
Were you aware that while you were making your purchases at Schnucks Markets, you could have been raising funds for the International Institute and our immigrant clients? Most purchases - small and large - can result in a donation to the charity of your choice through the eScrip program. Wow!
The giving potential is huge. Last year, the International Institute received several hundred dollars from purchases utilizing the eScrip program. Imagine the results if we make a concerted effort to register more participants!
eScrip is a simple way for you to support your favorite school or charitable organizations every time you shop at no additional cost to you. All you have to do is choose up to three organizations from the eScrip web page. We'd love for you to select International Institute St. Louis. If you have more questions about the eScrip program, here's a great FAQ page.
With over $450 million donated to charitable organizations in the US, International Institute of St. Louis is thankful to be a participating organization. Every little bit counts! Be sure to set up your eScrip account today.
The Sheltered Instruction Observation Model (SIOP)
Submitted by Amanda Wiesner- Groff, ESOL Coordinator.
Co-teaching for ELLs
Submitted by Heather Tuckson and Elena Okanovic, ESOL Coordinators.
Teacher collaboration and co-teaching are proven strategies for helping students with diverse needs achieve academically. Co-teaching for ELLs PD provides step-by-step assistance to making collaboration and co-teaching work for general education teachers and English language teachers to better serve the needs of English language learners.
Throughout the year, participants are provided with opportunities to learn theory, apply knowledge, and reflect on their current practice with their coaches. Want to learn more or know of someone who would like to join you on a co-teaching journey, contact Heather Tuckson or Elena Okanovic for more information regarding next year's co-teaching cohort.New American Alliance Cultural Competency Series
Shared by Dr. Gonzalez Del Castillo, ESOL Program Director.
The New American Alliance, an online resource database managed by the International Institute of St. Louis, is offering a 2-part cultural competency training series generously funded by Missouri Foundation for Health. The series will include Part A: Cultural Competency: Developing Effective Intercultural Communication and Part B: Confronting Implicit Bias. The training offers a practical framework to better understand and appreciate cultural differences and to build cooperation and collaboration across cultures. Participants will gain insight into the role of bias in an individual’s practice and develop skill sets to widen their worldview and improve communication within multicultural settings.
This series is ideal for anyone who works with immigrants or refugees and is provided free of charge. Teachers, social workers, health care personnel, and those from other fields are welcome to attend. Please especially pass this info on to any colleagues in the St. Louis County or St. Charles County area.
The training will be held March 10 and March 17 from 12-1pm. While it is recommended to attend both sessions, this is not required. Please note that this training will only be available live and will not be recorded.
Register for Part A: March 10 12-1pm: Developing Effective Intercultural Communication
Register for Part B: March 17: 12-1pm: Confronting Implicit Bias
For any questions, contact Jacquelyn Ballard, ballardj@iistl.org
New WIDA Self-Paced eWorkshops Available!
Take advantage of two new interactive and engaging learning opportunities! The following Self-Paced eWorkshops are available now to educators in participating WIDA member states:
- The WIDA ELD Standards Framework: A Collaborative Approach
- School Improvement Planning for Multilingual Learners
Ready to get started?
- Log in to your WIDA Secure Portal account. Don’t have an account yet? Visit your Member/State page to learn how.
- Click the “WIDA eLearning Center” tile in the Portal to view available eWorkshops. Complete an eWorkshop and print your certificate.
- Enjoy relevant, practical content that you can put into action with students and colleagues right away.
Learn more on the WIDA Self-Paced eWorkshops webpage.