Multilingual Learner Family News

We are excited to have opened our doors and welcomed students back in the last couple of weeks! Please enjoy this edition of our Multilingual Learner Family Newsletter. In this newsletter, you can expect information about how we support our multilingual learners, important updates, resources/activities, and upcoming community events. Please use the translate button in the top, or top right corner if it might be useful for you.

Thank you for your support!

FHPS Instruction Team

We want to thank everyone for the role they played in our annual WIDA Access Testing. FHPS received individual score reports in early August and mailed these to your residence at the end of August. The score reports were shared with teachers and filed in students' cumulative information files. No further action is necessary on your part. We just wanted to keep you updated.

Being bilingual offers significant cognitive benefits beyond communication. Some of those bebefits are:

• enhanced problem-solving
• improved memory and multitasking
• greater attention and focus
• delayed cognitive decline and increased cognitive reserve
• enhanced executive function and mental agility.

Check out this website for more information and research:

https://www.staugustine.edu/2024/05/30/cognitive-benefits-of-bilingualism/

Or click on the picture below to read beyond the cognitive benefits!

All absences MUST be reported to your student’s school. Here is an example of an absence note and the information you should share when reporting an absence. You may submit your absence via phone call, email, handwritten note). Please click the picture above if you'd like a printed copy.

• ArtPrize 2024 continues the tradition with 950+ artists from 42 U.S. states and 53 countries displaying their work in 170+ venues across Grand Rapids. These numbers represent the event's highest participation since 2017, signaling the continued relevance and importance of ArtPrize to the global creative community. The ArtPrize district is also hosting several concurrent events during the competition. Check out this webpage to view a comprehensive list of events. Some highlights include an African American Art & Music Festival (Sept. 14), Fiesta Mexicana Celebration of Mexican Heritage (Sept. 13-15), and the Confluence Tech & Innovation Festival (Sept. 20-21).
• Pulaski Days: October 4-6. Pulaski Days was founded in 1973 by Ed Czuzyk and Walter Ulanch as a way to support the local social clubs by sharing Polish coluture with the entire Grand Rapids community. The annual event has now grown into a week-long celebration to be shared with friends, family, and strangers alike. Check out the lineup of events around town.
• Shrek The Musical: on October 28 (7-9 p.m.) SHREK, the professional Broadway touring production will perform its rendition of the Dreamworks animated film. Click on the link to get your tickets today!
• Dino Bones at Lakeshore Museum, EXHIBIT OPEN June 1, 2024 – December 30, 2024. Embark on an extraordinary journey through time as we unveil the mysteries of the prehistoric world in our Dinosaur Bones exhibit!
• Dino Adventures at John Ball Zoo, EXHIBIT OPEN Now - November 10, 2024
• Kent District Library Lab Experiences, VARIOUS DAYS/TIMES - Examples, Architecture Adventure, Art Party, Sports Spectacular, and more!

Opportunities Available for Learning

High-quality early care and learning programs mean that children are growing and learning in safe and healthy environments and receive the services and support they need to thrive and get ready to enter kindergarten. In Michigan, licensed childcare centers and providers are required to follow health and safety requirements governed by the Child Care Licensing Bureau (CCLB). Below are programs that support Michigan's efforts in providing high-quality child care.

• Great Start to Quality (Michigan's Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System) www.greatstarttoquality@ecic4kids.org 877-614-7328

• Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) www.ecic4kids.org 571-371-9000

Options for Early Child Care and Education Programs

In Michigan, there are several types of early care and education programs available for families and their young children from birth through five years old.

• Child Care Centers: Child care centers are run by an individual, agency, or organization and offer a variety of activities and opportunities for children to build socially and emotionally. Each child carecenter has its own requirements and fees.

• Public Prekindergarten (PreK or DK): PreK/DK is a program for four-year-old children to provide them with the opportunity to prepare for kindergarten academically and socially. Contact your local school system to apply. Income information may be requested when you apply but is not necessarily a factor in enrolling your child. All children who are four years old by September 1st of the current school year are welcome to apply.

• Head Start: Head Start programs provide free learning and development services to children ages birth to five from low-income families. Early Head Start and Head Start welcome children with disabilities. Some Early Head Start programs also provide prenatal services for pregnant women. For more information contact Head Start at: hs4kc.org

Adult English Classes

You can take classes to improve your English, study for a high school diploma, learn computer and digital skills, or prepare for the workplace. These classes are for individuals 18 years or older.

To find an adult education program in your area, visit:

• Learn English with Kent County Adult Education: kentisd.org/students/adult-education/learn-english/

Earning a High School Diploma after 18 Years of Age

• Speak to a high school counselor about the possibility of finishing required high school classes before turning 20.

• Complete the General Equivalency Diploma Test (GED®) ged.org: You must be 18+ years old.

• Complete the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET)hiset.org: You must be 18+ years old.

• Complete the Adult High School Program kdl.org/community-resources/adult-education/: You must be 21+ years old.

Employment and Training

If you are interested in finding a job or job training, visit the following websites for more information:

• United States Department of Labor: JOB SEEKERS dol.gov/agencies/eta/job-seekers

• Community Resources: Employment kdl.org/community-resources/employment/

• Supported Employment Programs in Grand Rapids: findhelp.org/work/supported-employment–grand-rapids-mi

With the start of a new school year, access to affordable internet is crucial for students' success. The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) offers a helpful resource called Honor Roll of Low-Cost Internet Plans that features top providers offering reliable, low-cost internet plans. These plans have been carefully evaluated using NDIA's Grading Internet for Good (GIG) system, which assesses affordability, speed, data allowances, and customer protections. The Honor Roll lists providers that meet high standards for supporting low-income households, making them ideal for back-to-school needs.

To explore the full list of preferred low-cost internet plans, visit the NDIA Honor Roll page. For more information on how these plans were selected and scored, check out the NDIA GIG website. These low-cost plans offer a valuable resource for parents seeking to provide their children with reliable online access, helping to support their educational needs throughout the school year.

Getting Started with Libby
Kent District Library is proud to continue to offer you a wide selection of digital titles for you to access anytime, anywhere through Libby, the one-tap reading app.

For those who have not yet tried the Libby app, all you need to get started is your Kent District Library card number. The Libby app is easy to use and will guide you through the setup process and get you connected to our library in just a few minutes. You can visit the help site, or Libby Academy within the app for assistance.

New to ebooks and audiobooks?
In just a few taps, you can start reading or listening instantly on your phone or tablet. The digital library is available 24/7 without leaving home and is free from our library. Choose from bestsellers, fiction, nonfiction, books for kids, and more. Download the Libby app to get started.

Please reach out if you have any questions, concerns, or to share any celebrations!

Email: instructionoffice@fhps.net or nubik@fhps.net

Website: www.fhps.net
Location: 6590 Cascade Road Southeast, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
Phone: 616.493.8806
Twitter: @FHPSlearning