English Language Learners
Valley Stream 30 believes that students who, by reason of foreign birth or ancestry, have limited English proficiency (referred to here as “English Language Learners” or ELLs), are more effective learners of both the language and the curriculum if they receive instruction in both their native language and English. The district therefore takes the necessary steps to identify ELL students and provide ELL students with an appropriate program of either Bilingual Education or English as a New Language.
NEWLY ENROLLED STUDENTS
In order to provide a newly enrolled student with the best possible education, we need to determine how well he or she understands, speaks, reads, and writes in English, as well as prior school and personal history. After registration and enrollment into the school, our School Administrators and/or TESOL teachers will administer the Home Language Questionnaire (HLQ) form to the parents/guardians in the parents’ preferred language. In an effort to assist parent/guardians, who may require assistance with the translated version of the HLQ form, translation pens are available to provide parents with immediate on the spot audio translation of the form. View and/or download the information at the following links:
INDIVIDUAL INTERVIEW
If the HLQ form reflects that a language other than English is spoken at home, a TESOL teacher will conduct an individual interview. Based upon the information gathered at the informal interview, the TESOL teacher will determine if the student will take the New York State Identification Test for English Language Learner (NYSITELL). Your child’s NYSITELL score will determine if he or she is an English Language Learner.
Parent Guide on the New York State Identification Test for English Language Learners (NYSITELL)
This brochure for parents explains that the purpose of the NYSITELL is to assess the English language level of new students whose home or primary language is other than English, and that their child’s score on the NYSITELL (Entering, Emerging, Transitioning, Expanding, or Commanding) will determine if he or she is entitled to receive ELL services and will determine the level of English language support. The results will also help teachers plan the best program for their child based on his or her strengths and needs in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English. View and/or download the information at the following links:
During the registration, process parents/ guardians of ELLs receive a parent orientation in the language or mode of communication in the parent’s preferred language as identified on the HLQ.
Parents/guardians receive the following information/resources during the orientation:
Parent Guide about Programs for English Language Learners
In this guide, you will find information about how children are identified as ELLs, the kinds of programs available for ELLs, when students can exit ELL programs and services, and how you can obtain additional information, materials, and resources from local schools. View and/or download the information at the following links:
Parent Guide about the Common Core
In 2010, the New York State Board of Regents adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) to make sure that all children succeed once they graduate from high school. This guide is designed to help parents understand how the standards will affect their child, what changes they will see and what they can do at home to help their child in the classroom. View and/or download the information at the following links:
Parent Guide on the New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT)
The fact sheet explains that the NYSESLAT is given to all students who are identified as English Language Learners/Multilingual Learners (ELLs/MLLs) by the New York State Identification Test for English Language Learners (NYSITELL), and that the purpose of the NYSESLAT is to annually assess the English language proficiency level of ELLs/MLLs enrolled in Grades K–12 in New York State schools. View and/or download the information at the following links:
Parents' Bill of Rights
An informed, empowered community of parents, guardians and other persons in parental relation is critical to ensuring that English Language Learners (ELLs) are well served. The New York State Education Department's Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages (OBEWL) have created an English Language Learner Parents' Bill of Rights which summarizes critical rights concerning educational access and programming for ELLs and their parents. The bill also includes information on how parents and students can contact our Parent Hotline or OBEWL if they have questions or complaints. View and/or download the information at the following links:
Parent Orientation Videos: English Language Learner Programs in New York State
During the registration, process parent/guardians are provided with an iPad to watch the Parent Orientation Video in their preferred language to learn more about English Language Learner Programs:
English Language Learner Parent Hotline
This Hotline was created to provide parents, guardians, and other persons in parental relation of ELLs with information about their rights and services for their children pursuant to Commissioner’s Regulation 154. It also provides a mechanism to respond to specific inquiries about the delivery of these services. The Hotline provides information to parents in 10 different languages.
Link to English Language Learner Parent Hotline
Bilingual
Bilingual glossaries are an essential and expected test accommodation for English Language Learners in the State of New York. These glossaries are used by parents, teachers, test translators and interpreters, as well as school-based instructional materials developers. English language learners should take advantage of these documents as supplements to their texts as reference materials.
ELA Glossaries - Grades 3 - 8
Arabic | Chinese (Simplified & Traditional) | French | Hindi |
Italian | Karen | Korean | Marshallese |
Nepali | Punjabi | Russian | Somali | Spanish | Swahili |
Ukrainian | Uzbek | Urdu | Vietnamese
Literary Terms & Devices for Language Arts
Chinese Simplified | Chinese Traditional | French | Italian | Spanish
Math Grades 3 - 5
Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Burmese, Chinese Simplified,
Chinese Traditional, French, Haitian, Hindi, Japanese,
Korean, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Tibetan, Ukrainian, Urdu, Vietnamese
Math Grades 6 - 8:
Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Burmese, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional,
Haitian, French, Hindi, Karen, Korean, Japanese,
Nepali, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Tibetan, Ukrainian, Urdu, Vietnamese
Science Elementary Level:
Arabic, Bengali, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional,
French, Haitian, Hindi, Japanese,
Korean, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Urdu, Vietnamese
Social Studies Elementary Level:
Arabic, Bengali, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional,
Haitian, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Urdu, Vietnamese
For more Information:
District Office
* Jennifer Lewner Assistant to the Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction rfrance@vs30.org
Clear Stream Avenue
* John Singleton, Principal jsingleton@vs30.org
* Mary Hevia, TESOL Teacher mhevia@vs30.org
* Roni Kunstler, TESOL Teacher rkunstler@vs30.org
Forest Road
* Erin Malone, Principal emalone@vs30.org
* Consuelo Fusaro, TESOL Teacher cfusaro@vs30.org
Shaw Avenue
* Dr. Alejandro Rivera, Principal arivera@vs30.org
* Chris Colarossi, Assistant Principal ccolarossi@vs30.org
* Debra Iadevaio, TESOL Teacher diadevaio@vs30.org
* Maria Neckonoff, TESOL Teacher mneckonoff@vs30.org
* Sebnem Ozsirkinti, TESOL Teacher sozsirkinti@vs30.org