For Parents of English Learners Monday, October 17, 2016 Information Night For Parents of English Learners Monday, October 17, 2016

Ice Breaker We asked students the following question: “What is the best thing about your family?” Here’s what they said…………….

Methacton ESL Department Director of Pupil Services/ESL Dr. Susan L. Angstadt High School Mr. Bruce Vogel Arcola Ms. Mindy Cressman Mrs. Shelby Serrano (aide) Skyview Mrs. Darline Primavera Mrs. Irene Dobbs (aide)

How Students Qualify for ESL -Home Language Survey at registration -PA laws require that Methacton check the English Language proficiency of all students who live in a home where another language is spoken. English Language Proficiency tests WIDA ACCESS Placement Test (W-APT)

ESL Schedule Grades 5-12: - 1 or 2 classes each day; receive credit for English and/or Reading -ESL only, average 30 minutes per day (less often for advanced level students) -Some beginning students have an ESL assistant in their regular classes for extra help -Students also receive support with content area subjects

ESL Curriculum Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing Academic Language (Math, Science, Social Studies) Help ELLs meet grade-level state standards in all subjects

WIDA ACCESS 2.0 for ELLS Standardized English proficiency test; computer based Taken every year by all ESL students in Pennsylvania Measures students’ progress and effectiveness of ESL program Listening, speaking, reading and writing; Tiers (levels) A, B, C Will be given between January 23 and March 17, 2017 Parents receive a report in the summer Test results are used for planning instruction, placement decisions, and for exiting students from the ESL program.

Exiting the ESL Program The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires students to achieve the following before they can exit the ESL program: 1. ACCESS score of 5.0 or higher on a Tier C test 2. PSSA & Keystone Exams (gr. 3-11) Score of Basic or Above 3. Grade average of at least a “C” in major subjects/satisfactory grade-level work.

When your child is absent… …please call the school. Methacton High School 610-489-5000 ext. 25037 Arcola Intermediate School 610-831-5314 Skyview Upper Elementary School 610-489-5028 Call the night before or the morning of absence Give child’s name, grade, and reason for absence If child is out more than 3 days, provide doctor’s note to school Pennsylvania state law and school district policy allow only 5 absences for trip days. Any additional absences may result in consequences required by the Commonwealth of PA compulsory attendance laws and/or MSD policy.

REASONS FOR ABSENCE: Personal sickness Medical appointments Death in the family Religious Holidays Educational travel (forms in school office) Subpoenaed pre-approved absence and court appearance

Language Line You are encouraged to contact your child’s teacher at any time with questions or concerns. In America, parent-teacher communication is important for student success. In you need a translator, we offer a translation service called Language Line. - can be used for phone and face-to-face conferences. -this is a FREE service to you! If you need papers that are sent home to be translated, please let your child’s teacher know. You can use Google Translate if you need to translate information for your child’s teacher.

School Messenger System Notifies families of school closings and early dismissals due to weather. Families of all students registered in school are automatically enrolled. School Messenger system will send you a phone call, text message, or email. Listen for Pennsylvania, Montgomery County, Methacton School District # 316 On the radio (KYW 1060 am) On television (Lower Providence Township Community Access Channel on cable channel 28) Check the Methacton School District website (www.methacton.org)

Late Opening Schedule Early Dismissals “2 hour delay” – bus will pick up 2 hours later than usual Early Dismissals When school closes early because of bad weather, the buses will bring the children home early. You will get a call when schools are closing early. If you do not get a call, text message or email, please contact your school office.

E-Alerts The Home and School organization at your child’s school sends messages using this system. You can register online on the Methacton School District website. Go to the Family Resources tab. The registration page can be translated to your home language. The tab to do this in at the top of the page in the middle.

Website Translation

Parent Portal You can use this online tool to check your child’s grades and homework assignments. You can sign up on the Methacton School District website on the Family Resources page. The keyword for signing up is METHACTON.

Early Dismissal Procedure Send child in to school with note explaining why child will be leaving early and at what time. At Skyview and Arcola, the parent must come to the office to sign their child out for the day. At the high school, the child gives the note to the Attendance Office in the morning. The parent may come into the building to pick up the child or simply wait outside the high school.

Lateness (Tardiness) Parent must call the office in the morning. When the child comes to school late, they must report to the office before going to their classroom. Students are expected to arrive at school on time. School hours: Skyview 8:35 am – 3:15 pm Arcola 8:05 am – 2:45 pm High School 7:35 am – 2:20 pm Three unexcused late arrivals at the high school or Arcola will result in an office detention for the child.

School Safety All school buildings are locked. Visitors must press the button at the school entrance door and go directly to the office. Visitors must show a driver’s license or Pennsylvania photo ID. The RAPTOR Screening System will print a badge for the visitor. All visitors must wear their badges when they are in the school. You must let the school office know when you move, if your child will be taking a different bus, or if there is a change in after school care.

Your Child’s Health In Pennsylvania, children must have a physical exam and a dental exam when they enter school for the first time. They must also have physical exams in 6th and 11th grades and dental exams in 3rd and 7th grades. Free or inexpensive health insurance is available for children through the CHIP program.

Buying Lunch Each day the student has a choice of 4 different entrees for lunch. They can also take a milk, a fruit/vegetable or juice. Children may also buy snacks. The menu is on the school’s webpage. You can send money for one week, for two weeks, or for a month in an envelope marked with your child’s first and last name.

Prices Breakfast costs $1.90 Lunch costs $2.85 at Skyview and Arcola. Breakfast costs $2.55 at the high school. Lunch costs $3.05 (meal) and $2.85 (entrée) at the high school. NO child will go hungry. If lunch or money is forgotten, the cafeteria staff will give the child a meal, and payment must be sent the next day.

POINT of SALE (POS) Parents can deposit money in the student’s cafeteria account. Each day when the student buys the food, the cost will be deducted from their POS account. Students use an assigned student identification number as their PIN number to buy food with their account.

Free or reduced price meals Your child can get free or reduced price meals IF your household income is within the limits on the Federal Income Chart shown on the application OR IF the children receive Food Stamps. You do NOT have to be a U.S. citizen to qualify for free or reduced meals.

English Language Program for Adults Lower Providence Community Library: Every Tuesday night 7:00 p.m. Practice speaking English with other adults in a small group setting. Requires some knowledge of English, not for beginners. Free Sign up at the library or call (610) 666-6640   Literacy Council of Norristown: Day and evening classes from September-May Call or visit their website for more information: www.lcnlit.org (610) 292-8515 Montgomery County Community College: Different levels of ESL offered: beginner, pre-intermediate, intermediate, upper intermediate, and advanced. www.mc3.edu (215) 619-7396

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