ELD Department News
Keeping you in the know!
Welcome to the 2015-2016 Academic Year!!
My hope for this year is for our ELD Department to continue great work; over the last few years, we have created welcoming, rigorous, and exciting educational environments where students and their families feel honored, supported, and celebrated. I am truly energized when I think of our year ahead, and I hope you are, too! I read a thought provoking article this summer, Sewing Seeds of Hope, in Educational Leadership (June 2015), and I believe it provides some powerful advice when thinking about programming and nurturing culture:
- create a culture of optimism;
- sow seeds of hope;
- honor and celebrate success;
- create a sense of belonging;
- listen to students and their families; and
- expect greatness!
I truly believe our students, teachers, and families are capable of greatness - and I can't wait to get started . . . I so look forward to reconnecting with you!
Mark Your Calendars!
- August 25, 2015: 12:00-3:00
- October 1, 2015: 12:30-3:30
- December 9, 2015: 12:00-3:00 (ACCESS 2.0 Training)
- March 9, 2016: 12:00-3:00
- May 2016: 12:00-3:00 - Date TBD
ACCESS for ELLs Assessment Window
January 11, 2016 - February 12, 2016
ELD Walkthrough: For ELD teachers in their 1st, 2nd, or 3rd year teaching ELD in DCSD.
- August 24, September 21, October 26, November 16, December 14, January 25, February 22, March 7, April 18, May 16.
- 3:30-5:30: Secondary only 3:30-4:00, K-12 4:00-5:00, Elementary only 5:00-5:30
- Coming soon . . . Register through InspirED
- Location TBD
Support Sessions: Support Sessions will be held throughout the year, and you will receive calendar invitations for each of them. Support Sessions are NOT required, and you must have permission from your principal to attend. It is also not expected that you attend a certain number as they are intended to support you throughout the year as needed. Support Sessions are drop-in, open-house style sessions. If you intend to attend a Support Session, please RSVP; support sessions with no "RSVPs" will be cancelled. Upcoming Support Sessions are scheduled for:
- September 1, 2015 (Early Childhood Center, Castle Rock, 12:00-3:00)
- September 22, 2015 (Early Childhood Center, Castle Rock, 12:00-3:00)
Administering the W-APT and October Count Deadlines
- If a language other than English listed on the enrollment form, you must first assess, and then collect a body of evidence.
- You have 30 calendar days to assess new students prior to October 1st, and 2 weeks following October 1st.
- Only new to DCSD (or students who were not assessed in DCSD) are assessed with the W-APT. DO NOT assess continuing students who have been assessed in DCSD unless they left the district prior to this academic year.
- For students who have enrolled at the beginning of the year, all paperwork must be received at Wilcox no later than September 11, 2015. For students who enroll after the first weeks of school, please send paperwork as soon as possible.
- Please print and send all paperwork for October count via district mail - we will let you know when scanning is necessary.
Thank you for your diligence in the accurate and efficient identification of ELs!