RBERN West Newsletter

MUST KNOW

COVID-19 Related Special Administration of the New York State Identification Test for English Language Learners (NYSITELL) in August-September 2021

• Schools may offer the NYSITELL during a special administration period in August-September to address the adverse impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in preventing some English language learners (ELLs) who received entirely remote instruction, including provisionally-identified ELLs from being able to participate in the Spring 2021 New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT).
• Schools must ensure that they are providing appropriate levels of ELL instruction and services as required by Commissioner’s Regulations Part 154-2.
• Ordering instructions will be emailed to principals.

• Questions about student eligibility or any other aspect of the special August-September administration of the NYSITELL, please contact the Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages at obewl@nysed.gov.

As a result of instability and violence in Central American countries, there has been a recent increase in the number of unaccompanied youth crossing the United States-Mexico border. The Board of Regents and the New York State Education Department (NYSED, or “the Department”) are deeply concerned about the mounting scope of this problem. The Department is committed to supporting Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) as they meet the needs of unaccompanied youth. This Field Memorandum provides important information and resources for LEAs regarding the rights of and services available to unaccompanied youth.

Providing Over-Age Students the Opportunity to Return to School in the 2021-22 School Year Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

"To ensure that 21-year-old students have the chance to earn their high school diploma and fully prepare for the transition to their planned postsecondary experiences, the Board of Regents and the State Education Department are strongly encouraging schools and school districts to allow those students who will age out of school the opportunity to return for summer school and, if necessary, attend school in the 2021-2022 school year, in order to complete their education and earn a diploma, credential, or endorsement."

This month’s issue includes articles on:

• National Board Certified Teachers in Bilingual Education
• CUNY Initiative on Immigration and Education
• NYS Seal of Biliteracy & Non-Public Schools
• NABE 2021 Conference
• PR/HYLI 2021
• 2021 World Languages Professional Learning Series
• LoTi Digital Age Survey
• NYC RBERN
• News from other NYSED Offices

The RBERNs are seeking community members who are proficient in a variety of languages to support schools by serving as panel members for NYS Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB) Presentations. Ideal volunteers would be teachers of the target language or native speakers of the language. Panel Members for all languages are needed, including low incidence languages.

Participating on a Seal of Biliteracy panel is a great opportunity for college faculty, language teachers and community members to learn more about the NYS Seal of Biliteracy while supporting multilingual learners in earning this distinction.

The main task of a volunteer would be to view a high school student's live presentation, interact with the student in the target language, and share feedback using a rubric provided by the school. An online, asynchronous training opportunity will be available for you to learn more about the Seal of Biliteracy and the presentation process. The approximate time commitment is 30 minutes for training and 30 minutes for a student presentation.

To volunteer as a panel member, please submit this form.

• More information on NYSSB Panel Presentations
• More information on the NYS Seal of Biliteracy
• More information on the RBERNs

With questions, please email:

• Melissa Duquette, RBERN West at Erie 1 BOCES - mduquette@e1b.org
• Pietro Mendola, Buffalo Public Schools - pmendola@buffaloschools.org
• Shawnna Sweet, Mid-West RBERN at Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES - ssweet@monroe2boces.org

RBERN West Summer 2021 PD Calendar will be updated regularly. Please check back for new events and registration links.

Culturally Responsive Teaching for Multilingual Learners Series

Guest Presenters: Dr. Diane Staehr Fenner & Dr. Sydney Snyder, SupportEd

June 10, 2021 from 4:00pm - 7:00pm: Five Principles of Culturally Responsive Teaching for Multilingual Learners: Tools for Equity

CTLE credits: 3

In this three-hour interactive session, participants will incorporate the five guiding principles of CRT for MLs into their practice by:

• Discussing strategies for applying an assets-based framework to their work with MLs
• Exploring and applying instructional strategies and tools for creating a culturally responsive school climate for MLs
• Examining and applying tools and strategies for uniting schools, families, and communities in support of MLs
• Applying culturally responsive tools and strategies to plan for their class and school communities

ELL/Bilingual Education Focus Group Series

4:00pm - 5:30pm

CTLE credits: 1.5 per session

This monthly series is an opportunity to learn, network, and share experiences common to teachers of English Language Learners.

June 14, 2021 - Survey Day

NYSITELL Training (repeated sessions)

4:00pm - 5:00pm

CTLE credits: 3 per session

In this hybrid course, you will learn everything you need to know to successfully administer the NYSITELL from intake, to testing, to placement. In this course, you will learn everything you need to know to successfully administer the NYSITELL from intake, to testing, to placement. This course will take approximately 3 hours. Course work of the Pear Deck Presentation and Quiz must be completed prior to the Zoom Q&A session.

June 8, 2021

Multilingual Matters Book Club

A monthly educator book club to discuss rich topics related to immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers.

CTLE credits: 1 per session

June 9, 2021 from 5pm - 6pm

The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui

June 28, 2021 | 9:30-12:30

REGISTRATION LINK

https://forms.gle/UE2yAM8tMFdDZhEG9

PRESENTER: Dr. Lourdes Alvarez-Ortiz

Nearly half of the total student population in the U.S. has experienced some type of adversity in the form of trauma, violence, or chronic stress. This startling statistic has been further exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic and ongoing inequities. Educators are seeking ways to effectively support students. This interactive workshop will emphasize the urgent need for evidence-based teaching, relational, and leadership practices that focus on the many assets these students possess and how to create a strengths-based learning environment.

During this session participants will:

1. recognize the urgency of using a strengths-based relational and teaching approach with students living with adversity.
2. discover key tools and strategies for identifying elements and characteristics of a strengths-based practice.
3. adopt critical instructional and relational practices that foster a strengths-based learning environment for students living with adversity.

AUDIENCE: ENL, bilingual, mainstream teachers, Special Education teachers, counselors, psychologists, social workers serving ELLs/MLLs

Session will be limited to 75 participants. Participants will receive a copy of the book, Teaching to Strengths: Supporting Students Living with Trauma, Violence, and Chronic Stress.

Participants must complete the full three hours of the session in order to receive 3 CTLE hours. It is expected that each participant actively participates during breakout/group sessions.

NYS/NYC Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network (RBE-RN)

Email: nycrbern@fordham.edu

NYC Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network (RBE-RN)

FORDHAM UNIVERSITY

THE JESUIT UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK

June 29, 2021 | 9:30-12:30

REGISTRATION LINK

https://forms.gle/kweomFz3YoXGWosD8

PRESENTER: Dr. Debbie Zacarian

Debbie Zacarian is known for her expertise in strengths-based leadership, instructional, and family partnership practices with culturally and linguistically diverse student and family populations. She has authored many books but her most recent book Beyond Crises, co-written with Margarita Calderón and Margo Gottlieb focuses on overcoming the linguistic and cultural inequities in our schools.

DESCRIPTION

We have all been navigating unique times and often wonder how history will remember COVID-19. With this as our collective experience, this interactive session will explore the following three segments on behalf of our ever-growing, ever-changing MLLs:

1. tapping into our students, families, colleagues, and our own collective strengths and assets
2. fostering much needed co-powered partnerships with each other and support inclusive instructional practices
3. using protocols and tools for strengthening community, school, and classroom partnerships.
4. 
   

AUDIENCE: ENL, bilingual, mainstream teachers, Special Education teachers, counselors, psychologists, social workers ELLs/MLL

Session will be limited to 75 participants. Participants will receive a copy of the book, Beyond Crises: Overcoming Linguistic and Cultural Inequities in Communities, Schools and Classrooms.

Participants must complete the full three hours of the session in order to receive CTLE hours. This also includes active participation during breakout/group sessions.

NYS/NYC Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network (RBE-RN)

Email: nycrbern@fordham.edu

NYC Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network (RBE-RN)

FORDHAM UNIVERSITY

THE JESUIT UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK

The Hudson Valley RBERN is running a month-long virtual professional development camp to support educators as they continue to build capacity in meeting the needs of ELLs in their schools and classrooms.

• This camp features multiple workshops on ELL-related topics; participants will select workshops that best meet their needs.
• Participants will have an opportunity to earn up to 20 CTLE credits.
• Further information for accessing individual workshops will be provided to those who register for the camp via this MLP link.
• Participants MUST be enrolled by June 20, 2021.
• For questions regarding this activity, please contact the HV RBERN: rbern@swboces.org

Join us for the Western NY Multilingual Teacher Summit! This event is a collaboration between Mid-West RBERN and RBERN West and is especially designed for educators of English language learners, Bilingual Education and World Languages.

We are excited to bring you professional development from a variety of researchers, practitioners, policy makers, and vendors:

• Attend exciting Keynote Presentations from nationally recognized speakers each morning!
• Choose from a variety of Breakout Sessions presented by educators in from our region!
• Learn about useful resources during our Lunchtime Vendor Preview Sessions!
• Take part in a Roundtable Discussion with NYS TESOL leaders!
• Win exciting prizes at our end of day Raffle Drawings!

Learn about and some of the most important topics in our field:

Bilingual Education | Social-Emotional supports

Culturally Responsive Practices | ENL Blended Learning Practices

Parent and Family Engagement | Social-Emotional supports

Learn more on the Smore page for the conference

Competitions are OPEN for 2021! Find information and links to submit nominees here!

Submission deadline is June 30, 2021. Winners will be notified by September 1, 2021 and honored at this year's conference in November.

Hope Where are You?

This book tells the story of six children around the world who are experiencing the school closures because of the pandemic. Free download in 30 languages!

To Be Inspired: Stories of immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers

Pamela Broussard, high school new arrival teacher and presenter/trainer from Houston, TX and founder of Leading ELLs, has shared this growing compilation of stories to inspire ELL students.

iCivics & ELL: Resources to Engage Your Multilingual Classroom

iCivics offers 9 games with supports for ELs/MLs including accompanying Extension Packs with game-specific expansion activities and tips. Learn more here

Prepare and empower your teachers to meet the needs of students learning English with Professional Development Choice Board compiled by Pamela Broussard of Leading ELLs. It is a collection of the top trainers of crucial topics in English Language Learner.

This slide presentation "The Karenni People" was created and shared by Pyar Mo, a former ELL student from the RCSD and recent graduate of RIT.

As we close out a school year like no other due to the worldwide pandemic, our community spotlight is focused on Alicia Báez-Barinas, President of the New York State Association for Bilingual Education (NYSABE). Alicia has been the president, where for the first time since 1978 the annual NYSABE conference was cancelled, at the very start of the pandemic in March of 2020. This year, along with her trusted conference chairpersons David E. Báez and Wilda Ramos-Morales, NYSABE provided its first ever virtual statewide conference on May 20 - 22. To lead an organization of this size is a major task, but to lead it during a moment in history where bilingual and ELL educators everywhere were looking for support and inspiration to help us navigate the education of English language learners, we can proudly point to Alicia. Alicia is currently Director of Bilingual Education for the Buffalo Public Schools. Locally, she is recognized in the Western New York Community for her passion and commitment to vulnerable students and their families. Statewide, she is a well sought after voice for the challenges facing students who seek and deserve a bilingual education as the most viable pedagogical approach in meeting the complexity of today’s world. Congratulations, to our very own hometown hero Alicia Báez-Barinas for persevering during difficulty and ensuring that our linguistically diverse students matter everywhere in the Great State of New York.

To learn more about Alicia please visit: https://www.nysabe.net/about-us/board-of-directors-2019-2020/president-alicia-baez-barinas/

To see the conference program which highlights Alicia’s special connection to NYSABE please visit: https://www.nysabe.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/2021-NYSABE-Program.pdf

The Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network West is part of a statewide system of support, funded by the NYSED Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages (OBE-WL).

Mission: Collaborate with educators, parents, and community members to promote academic excellence and ensure high school graduation for all multilingual learners.

Vision: A community that provides access to an excellent and equitable education for multilingual learners that prepares them to be prosperous participants of a free and democratic society.

Email: dnovak@e1b.org
Website: www.rbernwest.e1b.org
Location: 355 Harlem Road, Buffalo, NY, USA
Phone: (716)821-7531
Twitter: @RBERNwest