September 10, 2007

Welcome Back!

We hope the first day of classes went well and that you had a restful Labor Day weekend!  As you know,  the ELL theme for this year is a World of Welcome - and that extends to making you feel welcome too.  Please let us know what we can do to assist you in any way throughout the year.  We are here to help you. 

Aesop's Fables?

Implementation efforts are on schedule for the Aesop, the District’s new automated service for reporting absences and requesting substitutes.   Updated information was sent out last week through other district channels. 

Substitute ELL Teachers

If you know of any great substitute teachers, please send their name(s), licensure, and any contact information you have to (anh.tran@spps.org). 

Translation Services Update

Starting last year, we began providing principals and lead clerks at each school with a list of interpreters, so that interpreters can be contacted directly. The ELL Department Translation Services Office no longer accepts interpreter requests or schedules interpreters for schools.

Individuals on this “on-call” list have been set up by the Human Resources Department as temporary SPPS employees. On-call interpreters must be paid through the Payroll Department. School staff must contact the principal or school clerk before scheduling interpreters, since they need to be in SPPS payroll before they can work in your school.

Please be advised that most of these individuals are not “professional” interpreters but rather bilingual people who have met our requirements. Their role is to interpret for parents, not to work with students. If they need to work with the students, please make sure there is a licensed staff person in the room with them.

If you have any questions, please contact Alejandra Bosch, Translation Services Coordinator, at 651-767-8334 or alejandra.bosch@spps.org

Elementary TOSA Opening

We currently have an opening for an elementary TOSA.  If you are interested in applying, please go to the Human Resources website for more details.   This position is now posted.

Collaboration Guidelines

The ELL/Mainstream Collaboration Guidelines are available on-line in the Collaboration Guidelines page. 

Eligibility Chart

The updated ELL Eligibility Chart has been posted.  A PDF Form is also available.

Testing Accommodations Chart

The updated ELL Testing Chart has been posted.   A PDF Form is also available.

Refusal Forms

Please keep in mind that there is more that one type of refusal form.  There are four types of refusal forms:

• Correction: The ELL Service Refusal Form:  This form is for all ELL programs.  It is valid for only one year.  Individual schools who should contact their TOSA for more information.  Parents can change this form at will. 
  
  ELL Service Refusal Forms should be distributed by request only and are not valid until the signed copy has been received by Bonnie Lawrence (bonnie.lawrence@spps.org) at the Student Placement Center.

• The Language Academy Refusal Form:  This form is for  students who are eligible for LA but do not wish to participate in the program.  It is signed once and is valid from year to year.  Parents can change this form at will.  It is typically signed at the Student Placement Center. 

• English Language Center Refusal Form: This form is for  students who are eligible for ELC but do not wish to participate in the program.   It is signed once and is valid from year to year.  Parents (and students 18+) can change this form at will. It is typically signed at the Student Placement Center.
  

• ELL Test Refusal Form:  This form is used by parents who do not wish to have their children participate in ELL testing.  Please keep in mind that NCLB requires 95% participation in ELL testing.  A few students refusing testing may be enough to put small schools on AYP for test participation.  Please explain this to parents requesting their students not participate in ELL testing. 
  

Refusal Forms

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Pre-LAS 2000

The PreLAS 2000 Data Summary sheets are due to Bonnie Lawrence at the Student Placement Center (SPC) by Friday, September 21st.  If you have any questions about submitting the data, please contact Bonnie at Bonnie.Lawrence@spps.org.  If you have any questions about the testing, please contact your TOSA or Anh Tran (anh.tran@spps.org)

MATH/AT: Everyday Math Improving Student Achievement for ELL, Gifted, SPED & other Support Teachers

All Gifted Services, ELL and Special Education Support Staff NOT doing collaborative teaching during the entire Math period in a classroom will participate in a 6 hour Professional Development to identify how to use the implementation expectations and the documents Saint Paul Public Schools has available. Participants will interact with the multiple algorithms, the Everyday Math Games, and with the Flexible Group Learning Activities that are part of our curriculum documents. MCA preparation and best practices will also be embedded in this Professional Development opportunity.

Elementary Team Position Form

The Elementary Team Position Form handed out during the Opening Week Meetings is available on-line.  

Language Through Content & Collaboration Professional Learning

ELL is offering a professional learning experience on teaching language through content and collaboration at the secondary level.  Participants will understand the benefits for ELL students in teaching language through content as well as the benefits and challenges of collaboration.  Use PDExpress to register for this exciting experience.  There are two options available.

Option 1:  One full day and 3 afternoons:

• September: Full Day (Sept. 12) 8:30-3:30 Collaboration
• September: 1 Afternoon (Sept. 19) 3:30-6:30 LTC
• October: 2 Afternoons (Oct. 10, 24) 3:30-6:30 LTCC

Option 2:  Three day plan:

• September: 1 full day (Sept. 20) 8:30-3:30 Collaboration
• October: 1 full day (Oct.17) 8:30-3:30 LTCC
• November: 1 full day  (Nov. 7) 8:30-3:30 LTCC

Spotlight:  Adams Spanish Immersion

Each week for the coming few weeks, we are planning to spotlight on Dual Language Programs.  Since the programs each vary slightly, we thought it might be a good idea to explain them.  This week, we start at the beginning - of the alphabet that is. 

Adams is actually our oldest "dual language."  Adams Spanish Immersion is an elementary school that provides children with an opportunity to be fluent in a second language. Adams' students are surrounded by Spanish all day long and learn to speak and comprehend the language much as a child learns to speak for the first time.

Adams is the K-6 elementary school component of the articulated K-12 Spanish Immersion Program in Saint Paul.  Adams is the only school in the district that has a school-wide focus on Spanish language and cultures.

Spanish and English dominant and bilingual students are provided the appropriate language support they need to develop into bilingual, bi-literate individuals who are cross-culturally competent. Explicit language and content goals are included in the K-6 curriculum map developed by members of the Adams staff.  Curriculum and instructional practices address the needs of the current student enrollment and align with the school’s immersion philosophy. 

The Adams teaching staff reflects the rich geographic and linguistic diversity of the Spanish-speaking world.  Adams is a dual admissions school both Spanish-speakers and non-Spanish speakers are admitted in kinder and first grade.  The program uses a 90/10 immersion education structure; 90% of the day in kindergarten is in Spanish, 10% of the day is in English. This is consistent through sixth grade.

Adams Website
Adams ELL Website

Being bilingual nourishes the children who will nourish the world! ¡Ser bilingüe alimenta a los niños, quienes alimentarán al mundo!

Information from the Mexican Consulate in Minnesota

Several emails have already been sent to those that asked to be added to this list.  If you would still like to be added, please send an email to Greg Anderson (greg.anderson@spps.org).  The last email that went out dealt with grant opportunities. 

Ramadan Begins Next Week

The Muslim month of fasting called Ramadan begins on September 12 or 13, 2007 and ends on October 12 or 13, 2007.

Significance of Ramadan

• Muslims are required to fast during the month of Ramadan, from dawn to sunset as one of the five pillars of their faith.
• Fasting became mandatory for Muslims in the year 624 A.D.
• The common greeting Muslims use to welcome the month is to say Ramadan Kareem, or Noble Ramadan.
• Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The beginning of fasting shifts every year by about 10 or 11 days.
• Muslims fast 29 or 30 days during the Month of Ramadan.

People Exempt from Fasting

• Children who have not reached the age of puberty are not required to fast. However, many children start fasting at a young age to practice and also be part of the festive family atmosphere
• The sick until they recover
• Pregnant and breast feeding women
• Travelers
• Elderly seniors who are unable to withstand the demands of the month
• Women and girls during their menstrual cycle

What Happens during Ramadan

• Families break the fast together at the mosque or in their homes.

• The meal for breaking the fast at sunset is called Iftar.

• The fasting is usually broken with dates, water, juice, oatmeal and other light food. Then people have heavier meal later.

• Muslims also pray together an extra prayer called Taraweeh at night. This prayer lasts up to an hour and half each night of Ramadan

• Muslims eat a pre-dawn meal called Suhuur before sunrise

What Schools Should be Aware of during Ramadan

• Major tests should be planned around the month if working with students who observe the fast.

• Some students’ sleep time may change during the month as they wake up for the pre-dawn meal or perform the taraweeh prayers at night.

• Students should be held accountable to the same standards as other times except in extreme physical activities

• Younger students may fast some days and not fast others depending on their ability

• Mature female students do not fast during their monthly period

• Students may feel more thirsty and hungry in the first days of the month.

• Avoid major family or school events during this month if Muslim families are involved.

• It is recommended to set space for fasting students to stay during meal times
  

If you have questions or concerns, please, call Abdisalam Adam at (651) 767-8388
If you have questions, please contact Abdisalam Adam at (651)767-8341

¡Colorín Colorado!

Colorín Colorado is a free web-based service that provides information, activities and advice for educators and Spanish-speaking families of English language learners (ELLs).

Colorín Colorado is an educational initiative of WETA, the flagship public television and radio station in the nation's capital. Major funding comes from the American Federation of Teachers, with additional support from the National Institute for Literacy and the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs.

ELL Outlook e-Newsletter

The ELL Outlook™ is a bi-monthly e-newsletter published by Course Crafters dedicated to providing the latest research, news, program models, and interviews with ELL researchers, educators, and policymakers. The ELL Outlook™ focuses on the education of ELLs (K-12) across the United States. Our goal is to help educators more successfully address the needs of the growing ELL population.