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

Methacton ESL Department Director of Pupil Services/ESL Dr. Susan L. Angstadt Arrowhead Elementary Ms. Stephanie Sawyer Audubon Elementary Mrs. Xenia Zacharczuk Mrs. Paula Bauer (aide) Eagleville Elementary Mrs. Theresa Allerton Mrs. Lisa Roese Woodland Elementary Miss Nicole Angello Worcester Elementary Mrs. Kathy Wahl

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 K-4: ESL only, average 30 minutes per day, typically during “Team Time” (less often for advanced level students) Some beginning students have extra ESL support in their regular classes for extra help

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 in grades 1-12; paper based in Kindergarten 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. Arrowhead Elementary School 610-489-5000 x44204 Audubon Elementary School 610-831-5329 Eagleville Elementary School 610-831-5325 Woodland Elementary School 610-831-5323 Worcester Elementary School 610-831-5327 Call the night before or the morning of absence prior to 9:00AM. 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 Educational travel (forms in school office) Subpoenaed pre-approved absence and court appearance Religious holidays

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 Kindergarten – “2 hour delay” – bus will pick up 2 hours later than usual Kindergarten – morning session 11:05 am – 12:55 pm afternoon session 1:45 pm – 3:35 pm 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.

Bus Note Procedure If a child needs to go home with a friend on a different bus, there are 2 notes required. 1. The child riding on a different bus must bring a note to school with the name of the child, date and bus number. Parent must sign the note. 2. The other parent must also send a signed note that they give permission for the child’s friend to come to their house on the bus with their child. 3. The student gives the note to their classroom teacher, then the notes gets sent to the school office for approval. 4. The teacher gives the note back to the student at the end of the school day. 5. The students then give the notes to the bus driver.

Website Translation

Parent Portal You can use this online tool to check your child’s quarterly report cards 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. You must come in to school to sign your child out for the day.

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: 8:55am – 3:30pm

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.

Volunteering in Your Child’s School In order to volunteer at your child’s school, you must obtain your clearances. Below are the instructions for completing these requirements: Complete Methacton’s on-line volunteer form. Complete the online Criminal History Report Complete the Child Abuse Clearance Certificate Complete the FBI Fingerprint Report (only if you have not lived in Pennsylvania for 10 years). Get a TB (Tuburculosis) Test More information on volunteering is available at the tables in the lobby.

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 $1.25 Lunch costs $2.65 at the elementary level. 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.

Helping Your Child Be Successful in School

Keep Speaking Your Home Language Keep speaking your native language at home. Children whose native language is well-developed, can make connections between their native language and English more easily. Concepts and skills learned in another language transfer to English. Students who are highly proficient in two languages are often better students. If students lose their first language, it may be harder to master a second language.

When you talk with your kids… Discuss how things work and why things happen. Discuss movies you’ve watched or what is happening in the news. This develops good thinking and language skills. When you are reading to your child, ask questions like: “Why is the little girl crying?” “What do you think will happen next?” “What would you do if you were that little girl?” It is also important that you give your child some type of small job at home to help them learn responsibility (make bed, etc.)

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.

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

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?