September ELL Memo

I can't believe that September is here! I hope you all had the chance to rest and rejuvenate over the summer months! I know that we are heading into a school year that looks and feels very different and that there are likely a lot of questions around what this will mean for our work of supporting and advocating for ELL students. September has many "To Dos" (see below) and as we find our way through I am here to help troubleshoot, find solutions and answers to the questions and challenges that may come up! Please do not hesitate to reach out! There are also some great resources and ideas for welcoming our students back!

• Assess all newly referred ELL/ESD students to determine language levels.
• Create new ELL/ESD files for students who meet the requirements for ELL/ESD funding. Each file must start with a Student Profile Form, Citizenship Documentation, Initial Assessment and include a Service Record form on the front of the file.
• An Intake package (Student Profile Form, Initial Assessment, Citizenship Documentation) must be sent to the coordinator at Learning Services before a student can be added to the ministry 1701 list for ELL/ESD
• Go through the files of continuing ELL/ESD students to make sure all documents are in place and that the student is in attendance in September. Ensure Citizenship Documentation has not expired. Add Category Change forms etc…as needed.
• Ensure all ELL/ESD students are added to the Ministry 1701 for ELL/ESD list by the clerical staff at the school by the September 30th deadline
• Complete verification form when it is sent out. Ensure your list (ministry 1701 list at school) and names on verification form match. The deadline to add students is the end of September to receive funding.
• Prepare and send out letter home to parents of ELL/ESD students advising them of the support their child will be receiving (see template)
• Set up a schedule of support outlining when you will be meeting with students with time allotted.
• Start a consultation record log that will document the support you are providing on a consultative basis to ELL/ESD students (Adapted resources, teacher meetings, checkins, inclass, editing etc…)
• Complete or update an Annual Instructional Plan (AIP) for each student. When complete, add to ELL/ESD folder. AIPs are working document and should be updated and added to as the student progresses throughout the year. Deadline is the end of September of the current school year.
• Begin to work with ELL/ESD students and their teachers. Seek out opportunities to create inclusive, collaborative learning support for ELL/ESD students within the classroom.

ALL ELL/ESD students must see the ELL teacher by the end of September. Evidence of

this contact must be added to the ELL file for compliance purposes!

An important reminder and wise words from @JoseMedinaJr89

This great article by Tan Huynh outlines the importance of creating welcoming spaces for ELLs and some simple ways to do it!

Create a selfie Kahoot and share with your students as a way for them to get to know you and then have them create a class selfie kahoot as a way to build community and connect with each other! Click below to link to a blog by Carol Salva on Selfie Kahoots and some other great resources!

This 26 minute video is full of ideas on how to connect with students both face to face and virtually. From Tik Tok to memes this video is full of ideas and links of where to get templates!