Dear Team,

As summer approaches, I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for your incredible dedication and effort this year. Your passion for bilingual education and world languages shines through in everything you do, and it's truly inspiring to see the impact you have on our students. Looking ahead, I'm excited about the opportunity to continue strengthening our current practices. We have a fantastic foundation in place, and with your continued input and collaboration, I know we can achieve even greater things for our students. This newsletter is packed with some exciting updates and resources to keep you informed and engaged. Let's use this summer to recharge and come back ready to tackle the new year with even more enthusiasm! Thank you once again for everything you do.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Michelle Pineda-Rodgers

Director Bilingual Education & World Languages

The Newcomers after school program ended the year with students proudly showcasing their language skills and development they had made over the course of the year. Students were excited to share their displays with their peers, families and community members. It was a proud moment for all of us to be able to witness the hard work and dedication of our students.

Congratulations to our High School Scholars! We were also thrilled to recognize our 12th grade students who had achieved the Seal of Biliteracy, a prestigious award that recognizes multilingualism.

Long Island's public education community gathered on May 7, 2024, to pay tribute to some of its greatest advocates. That's when Nassau BOCES presented 14 honorees with its Education Partner award before a cheering crowd at the Crest Hollow Country Club.

A strategic education partner with school districts since 1967, Nassau BOCES created the awards program to honor those who share the agency's commitment to providing the best possible education to learners of all ages and abilities.

Teachers district-wide nominated their colleagues to show their appreciation for all their hard work and dedication to teaching our scholars at Hempstead.

Most Creative Curriculum Co-Creator

This celebrates the collaboration between dual language teachers to design engaging lessons for both languages.

Nominated Teachers:

Ms. Jordan, Gabriela Jordan, Daniela Ranieri, Jeanette Tillman, Lorena Escobar, Myriam Bellotte, Susan Gregori, Elaine Guerra- Mitchell, Loretta Veveakis, Kara Intreglia, Krystal Rivera, Claudia Vaca, Denise Carchi, Nancy Bayat, Ariadna Urena, Mirtha Sebelen, Bermudez Castillo, Stacy Toich, Ashley Sclafani & Kaylee Moran

Walking Glossary Award:

This is a lighthearted way to recognize the teacher who readily provides vocabulary and explanations in both languages.

Nominated Teachers:

Gabriela Jordan, Lorena Escobar, Claudia Vaca, Haliah Kassim, Lizz Sarceno, Cynthia Perez, Loretta Veveakis, Kara Intreglia, Carmen Flores, Lourdes Basora, Baetrice Ortiz, Denise Carchi, Mirtha Sebelen, Maria Fernandez, Bermudez Castillo, Ludy Curiel, Stacy Toich, & Ashley Sclafani

Master Multilingual Multitasker:

This superlative highlights the ability to manage instruction and student needs in two languages simultaneously.

Nominated Teachers:

Susan Gregori, Roseland Pierre, Maria Tringali, Ariadna Urena, Suzanne Horowitz, Stacy Toich, Kathleen Lovett-Moring, Beatriz Caban, Claudia Vaca, Lorena Escobar, Kara Intreglia, Boris Crespo, Carmen Flores, Brenda Morales, Itzel Connell, Stephanie Razo, Stephanie Frias, Lizz Sarceno

Elaine Guerra- Mitchell, Bermudez Castillo, Beatriz Ortiz, Gabriella Jordan, Maria Fernandez, Ashley Sclafani & Jovel Alexis

Language Detective Award:

This celebrates the teacher's ability to identify and address language learning challenges for bilingual students.

Nominated Teachers:

Scott Buckland, Susan Gregori, Corrine Morton, Itzel Connell, Evelyn Gallagher, Maria Fernandez, Ashley Sclafani, Vanessa Parrado, Silviana Mestizo, Jennifer Riccardi, Jacqueline Tineo, Nancy Bayat, Denise Carchi, Susanna Ramotar, Carmen Flores, & Candice Edwards

Cultural Champion:

This recognizes the teacher who skillfully integrates cultural aspects into their lessons.

Nominated Teachers:

Gabriela Jordan, Susan Gregori, Alexis Jovel, Christal Rivera, Paola Germino, Delmy Bermudez- Castillo, Soh Young Lee- Segredo, Mary Anne Ellis, Stephanie Frias, Kara Intreglia, Claudia Vaca, Suzanne Horowitz, Tecoa Washington, Mirtha Sebleen, Beatrice Ortiz, Ludy Curiel, Caroline Vollmer, Denise Carchi, Cynthia Perez, Corrine Morton, Ashley Sclafani, Jessica Ramos, Beatriz Ortiz, Mirtha Sebelen, & Daniela Ranieri

Language Lifeline Award:

This acknowledges the teacher's support in helping English learners thrive in mainstream classrooms.

Nominated Teachers:

Susan Gregori, Gabriela Jordan, Scott Buckland, Lorena Escobar, Sharon Sanderson-Austin, Jennifer Ricciardi, Lizz Sarceno, Loreta Veveakis, Melissa Dean, Lisa Hallett, Lauren Dini, Meredith Van Schuyler, Seher Qazi, Suzanne Horowitz, Rob Graziosi, Kara Intreglia, Stephen Lux, Silviana Mestizo, Maria Luisa, Stacey Corvi & Candice Edwards

Differentiation Dynamo:

This superlative recognizes the teacher's skill in tailoring instruction to meet the diverse needs of ELL students.

Nominated Teachers:

Scott Buckland, Elaine Guerra- Mitchell, Genell Bradley, Stephen Lux, Daniela Ranieri, Beatriz Caban, Aheley Sclafani, Melissa Dean, Lisa Hallet, Maria Fernandez, Christine Rivera, Ariadna Urena, Nancy Bayat, Kathleen Lovett, Elizabeth Diglio, Caremn Flores, Rochelle Legette, Suzanne Horowitz, Seher Qazi, Scott Buckland, Evelyn Gallagher, Gabriela Jordan, Renee Mavrofidis, Jacqueline Tineo, Jennnifer Ricciardi, & Erika Maldonado

Most Enthusiastic Language Ambassador:

This recognizes the teacher who inspires a love for language learning in their students.

Nominated Teachers:

Susan Gregori, Melissa Dean, Christal Rivera, Paola Germino, Susan Horowitz, Corrine Morton, Justo Galeas, Sophia Panagos, Gabriela Jordan, Ashley Sclafani, Jennifer Ricciardi, Beatrice Ortiz, Nancy Bayat, Lorena Escobar, Yeldelka Lanfranco, Caroline Vollmer, Erika Maldonado, Denise Carchi, Yung Yun Wong, Bermudez Castillo, Seher Qazi, Legette Rochelle, Caroline Vollmer, Claudia Vaca, Ariadna Urena, Corrine Morton, & Nicole Sapienza

The "Explain it Like I'm Five" Master:

This celebrates the teacher's ability to break down complex concepts in a clear and understandable way, regardless of language.

Nominated Teachers:

Gabriela Jordan, Roseland Pierre, Susan Gregori, Nancy Bayat, Jacqueline Tineo, Stacy Toich, Cherise West, Stacey Corvi, Stephen Lux, Rochelle Legette, Sendy Rivas, Ashley Sclafani, Lisa Hallet, Stephanie Diaz, Carmen Flores, Maria Fernandez, Diorca Badaraco, Nicole Sapienza, Renee Mavrofidis, Ariadna Urena, Kara Intreglia, Stephanie Frias, Candice Edwards, Delmy Bermudez-Castillo, Mirtha Sebelen, Elaine Guerra- Mitchell, Seher Qazi, & Stephen Lux

Student Superhero:

This is a heartfelt way to acknowledge the teacher who goes above and beyond to support and empower all their students.

Nominated Teachers:

Gabriela Jordan, Claudia Vaca, Susan Gregori, Lorena Escobar, Marianne Ellis, Jessica Moreno, Elaine Guerra-Mitchell, Sophia Panagos, Mercedes Pillier, Evelia Santiago, Nicole Sapienza, Del my Bermudez Castillo, Jacqueline Tineo, Lisa Hallett, Bilingual, Dual and ENL Teachers at McNeil, Alayne Waldhauser, Christian Bustamante, Beatriz Ortiz, Denise Carchi, Melissa Dean, Beatriz Caban, Kathleen Lovett, Silviana Mestizo, Yudelka Lanfranco, Sari Muhammad

Scholars presented their IB PYP community projects showcasing their skills in inquiry-based learning, where they explored global topics through questioning, investigation, and critical thinking. Amazing job to all the scholars!

Please click on the image below to access to the ELL Summer Learning Packet for all learners in grades K-12.

Whether you are preparing to target instruction to find and fill gaps in student learning, providing unique and targeted supports for all students, or developing plans to keep all students learning and growing over the summer when they are away from school, the resources below developed can help achieve your summer learning goals. Please scan the QR code to access Renaissance learning tools.

Renaissance Resources for Freckle, Lalilo, and myON

Resource Kits for Educators that provide easy-to-use DIY challenge ideas, along with templates to support communication with families and recognition of student accomplishments.

Learning Activities Resource Sheets for Educators that include recommendations and sample activities to support student growth in any learning environment all year long.

Student and Family Activity Handouts that offer opportunities for students of all ages to engage in meaningful practice outside of school time with the support and encouragement of their families. Select activities that align with your plan and goals, then share them with students and families any time of the year.

Family Videos that help introduce families to the products their students are using in and out of the classroom.

In the Fall of 2024, we are super excited to launch Renaissance Next. Renaissance Next is a powerful new teacher experience that advances instruction and empowers educators with in-the-moment recommendations to support your most critical decisions. Renaissance Next streamlines your workflow by seamlessly bringing lessons, resources, and activities together helping you to better personalize teaching and to truly See Every Student.

With Renaissance Next, assessment, practice, and instructional data from across the Renaissance ecosystem is viewable on a single homepage, with no more jumping between platforms. High-quality teacher support tools provide actionable insights as well as lesson and skill practice recommendations, so you can make informed decisions about what each student needs next.

The Nearpod English Learners Program provides the content, tools, and organization teachers need to create daily differentiated learning experiences that maximize language acquisition for all learners.

• Language scaffolds and supports embedded into 3,900+ interactive lessons, videos, and activities

• Enhanced navigation and content organization to help teachers differentiate efficiently

• Real-time insights on assessments and dynamic media features with data and instant feedback.

https://nearpod.com/blog/amplify-learning-with-nearpod-for-ell/

Please click on the Nearpod link below to access free PD webinars at your leisure. Use the drop-down tab to select your desired date.

https://renaissance.widen.net/s/xvrdxp7tmj/nearpod_pd_by_the_pool

What is Camp Engage?

This FREE virtual event is packed with interactive, expert-led sessions focused on topics you care about, and innovative strategies to support your instruction.

• Each session is crafted to provide immediate classroom impact, so you can apply what you learn at Camp Engage right from the start— just in time for back to school.
• Earn PD credits, make connections, and have fun!

Registration is open for Camp Engage! Sign up now to save your (virtual) seat and stay updated on session details, event info, and more.

Our Dual Language Teachers participated in a one-day engaging and reflective professional workshop at Jackson Annex with Ms. Pena, Ms. Pineda, and Ms. Ranieri.

This institute is an excellent opportunity to gain inspiration and insights into the implementation and enhancement of Dual Language programs.

*Please contact Mrs. Pineda directly if you are interested in attending. Please use the link to register.

Frontline Education (mylearningplan.com)

Host: Long Island Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network (L.I.RBERN)

Dates: August 12-14

Time: 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM

Presenter: Susanne Pena

Location: Western Suffolk BOCES Conference Center, 31 Lee Avenue, Wheatley Heights.

K-6 Updates and Information

Many of you have questions about the K-6 program models for ELLs. To address these, we've created a department update video

specifically for K-6 teachers (DL, TBE, INT. ENL Teams) https://hufsdbilingualandworldlanguages.my.canva.site/

*Click the arrows in the bottom left corner to move through the slides.*

Q&A Zoom Link:

https://zoom.us/j/3317355463?pwd=jiG7sGHtV55oIyItkPB3CK93WvNMJe.1&omn=92044174603

We highly encourage everyone to watch the video in advance, as it covers many updates and important information. This will allow for a more focused Q&A session and ensure everyone gets the most out of the time.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Reflection Survey

To help us even better support you and your students in the upcoming year, we've included a short survey in the email. Please take a few minutes to complete it – your feedback is invaluable!

https://forms.office.com/r/GK9NxE23KY