Multilingual Family Newsletter

January 2024

• Course Selection: World Languages

• TELPAS

March 2024

• Supporting EB Students and Language Acquisition

• Supporting Students in the Dual Language Immersion Program

April 2024

• FB County Libraries

Resource #1: ¡Colorín Colorado!

Website: https://www.colorincolorado.org/

Colorín Colorado is a national multimedia project that offers a wealth of bilingual, research-based information, activities, and advice for educators and families of English language learners (ELLs). Colorín Colorado is an educational service of WETA, the flagship public broadcasting station in the nation's capital, and receives major funding from the American Federation of Teachers and National Education Association. © Copyright 2023 WETA Public Broadcasting.

Colorín Colorado es un proyecto nacional de multimedia que ofrece una gran riqueza de información basada en la investigación, actividades y consejos bilingües para maestros y familias de estudiantes del idioma inglés (ELLs, por sus siglas en inglés). Colorín Colorado es un servicio educativo de WETA, la principal emisora pública de la capital del país, y recibe fondos de la Federación Americana de Maestros y la National Education Association. © Copyright 2017 WETA Public Broadcasting.

Visit the For Families section for resources.

Resource #2: Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston

Website: https://catholiccharities.org/

For 75 years, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston has provided food, clothing, shelter and a network of support services to people of all ages and from all walks of life and religious backgrounds. We also promote social justice, serving as a voice for the poor and vulnerable. We provide services to more than 85,000 people annually in the Greater Houston region as they create better lives for themselves and their families.

Visit the News and Events sections for the calendar of activities and resources.

Resource #3: Children At Risk

Website: https://childrenatrisk.org/

CHILDREN AT RISK is a research and advocacy nonprofit leading the way in improving the quality of life for Texas’ children. CHILDREN AT RISK considers the whole child by tracking issues in children’s health, safety, education, and economic security to improve equity and justice for all Texas families. Committed to action beyond the data, CHILDREN AT RISK drives evidence-based change by speaking out on behalf of children.

Visit the Parent & Family Well-Being section for resources.

Resource #4: The Arc, Fort Bend County

Website: https://arcoffortbend.org/

The Arc of Fort Bend County was founded in 1968 by parents who wanted to improve the lives of their children who had intellectual and developmental disabilities. As a “grass roots” advocacy organization, The Arc’s mission is to ensure opportunities for people with intellectual and related developmental disabilities to maximize their quality of life within our community.

The Arc advocates for the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities (Autism) into all parts of the community – from classrooms to the workplace. Along with this advocacy, we provide recreational and social programs, employment assistance, housing support and the largest Special Olympics program in the area.

Visit the Event Calendar section for a list of activities.

Dear Parents and Families of Elementary ESL Students,

Welcome to the elementary ESL corner of the newsletter! We are here to share ideas on how to support your child at home. Below are free activities that will support your child’s listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in English. These are skills that you can support at home with little preparation.

Resource #1: Supporting Emergent Bilingual Students in Texas

Provider: Texas Education Agency

Website: https://www.txel.org/Parents-And-Families

Welcome to the web portal designed to provide you and your family with information and resources to help your emergent bilingual student be successful in school. Here you can access information on supporting your child, family supports, and student resources. Best of all, it is free!

Resource #2: STAAR and TELPAS Released Test Questions

Provider: Texas Education Agency

Website: https://login6.cambiumtds.com/student_core/V56/Pages/LoginShell.aspx?c=Texas_PT&a=Student

Do you know that you have access to STAAR and TELPAS released test questions? By clicking the link above, you can review the questions with your child!

Resource #3: Fort Bend County Libraries

Provider: Fort Bend County

Website: https://www.fortbend.lib.tx.us/

In English, we have a saying, “Readers are leaders!” The meaning is that students who are active readers are more likely to be successful academically and professionally in the future. A great starting point for any student is going to a library to get a library card. A library card not only allows your child to check out books; it also gives them access to study support, classes, databases, and writing instruction!

Resource #4: Fort Bend ISD Multilingual Programs website

Provider: Fort Bend ISD

Website: https://www.fortbendisd.com/Domain/11239

Are you aware that Fort Bend ISD Multilingual Programs has a website? There you can find updates on topics related to your emergent bilingual student as well as contact information should you have questions.

Resource #5: Fort Bend ISD Multilingual Programs Parent Videos and Resources

Provider: Fort Bend ISD Multilingual Programs

Website: https://www.fortbendisd.com/Page/144004

Would you like to learn more? Click on the link above to view the presentations for parents!

We're excited to share the benefits of using Lexia at home to support your child's learning journey. Lexia is an engaging and effective literacy program designed to enhance reading skills. By incorporating Lexia into your child's daily routine, they can enjoy personalized learning experiences that cater to their unique needs. With interactive activities and targeted lessons, Lexia promotes reading proficiency, comprehension, and vocabulary development. By fostering a love for reading, Lexia empowers your child to become a confident and proficient reader. Join us in boosting your child's literacy skills with the enriching and enjoyable resources provided by Lexia.

Students can access their Lexia account through their 1Link app. For more information, please reach out to your child's ESL teacher.

Welcome to the Fort Bend ISD Multilingual Language Testing Sites!

We have four sites within Fort Bend ISD. West Side: David Crockett Middle School and Hodges Bend Middle School, Central Site: Sugar Land Middle School, and East Side: Lake Olympia Middle School. Each school in FBISD has a designated testing site where testing will take place. The State of Texas requires that students whose Home Language Survey list a language other than English will have to take a language proficiency assessment. This will determine any linguistic support students may need.

Parents, you will need to complete and return the Home Language Survey to the student’s home campus. If needed, the ADA/ Registrar will then provide you with a flyer for the designated testing site. You can use your cell phone to scan the QR code and fill out the information requested. We will then reach out to you within two business days to schedule an appointment.

Students in grades PK –1st parents will wait an average of 15-45 mins for testing.

Students in grades 2nd-12th we ask that you drop student(s) off with our testing personnel, and we will call you when they are close to finishing.

Want to be more involved with our Multilingual Department? Here is your chance, we are always looking for LPAC (Language Proficiency Assessment Committee) parents to volunteer and assist our committee. Please contact us for more information.

Reminder: we will NOT schedule an appointment until the Home Language Survey is submitted to the ADA/ Registrar.

Students are required to earn 2 credits of the same World Language in order to fulfill high school graduation requirements. Fort Bend ISD offers seven languages (not all languages are at all campuses): Spanish, French, German, Chinese (Mandarin), Japanese, American Sign Language (ASL), and Latin. Students who wish to study Spanish may begin their study in 8th grade, and all other languages begin in 9th grade. All languages except ASL offer a path to the Advanced Placement level in which student can earn college credit. So, students should take the language that most interests them, even if it means waiting until 9th grade to take the course. Students with proficiency in one of our seven languages who would like to place into a higher-level course should consider taking the Credit by Exam (CBE). Students can take the CBE starting in 8th grade, and they will sign up through their school counselor. For more information about World Language courses, please reach out to Melissa Vargas, World Language Coordinator at melissa.vargas@fortbendisd.com.

Tinou (Angela) Tran, Ed.D.
Director of Multilingual Programs

Marianella Moore, Ed.D.
Assistant Director Multilingual Programs

Youngmee Hsu
Multilingual Compliance Officer

Melissa Vargas
World Languages Coordinator

José Barrera
Bilingual Program Coordinator

Raquel Gonzales
Bilingual Program Coordinator

Carolina Álvarez
Bilingual Program Specialist

Lee Glaesemann
Elementary ESL Coordinator

Joël Johnson
Secondary ESL Coordinator

Maria Salgueiro-Alessio
District Translator

Sarah Hightower
Sheltered Instruction Specialist

Cassie Noble
Sheltered Instruction Specialist

Priscilla Van
Sheltered Instruction Specialist

Curtis Waczko
Sheltered Instruction Specialist

Acuna Marlene

EL Compliance Specialist LOMS

Elliott Biannca

EL Compliance Specialist HBMS

Ortiz Doris

EL Compliance Specialist DCMS

Ross Pamela

EL Compliance Specialist SLMS