tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6609317804565357003.post7085044730613044758..comments2024-02-02T02:33:13.058-06:00Comments on WIDA Blog: Welcoming New WIDA Bloggers, Part 2: Holly NiemiWIDAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01442047644266375892noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6609317804565357003.post-21228576345218037542014-04-06T18:22:00.457-05:002014-04-06T18:22:00.457-05:00In light of your budgetary constraints, I think re...In light of your budgetary constraints, I think reaching out to bilingual parents is a viable option, so long as you have administrative support. I would be cautious of confidentiality issues that may arise, this may be an obstacle. Holly Niemihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09287224172451777992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6609317804565357003.post-23222079921772764152014-03-19T16:24:33.283-05:002014-03-19T16:24:33.283-05:00Hi Holly, thanks for answering my post and sharing...Hi Holly, thanks for answering my post and sharing your experience. Because the budget at my school is too tight, I have been thinking in send home a survey in Spanish, to see if there are bilingual parents who will be willing to volunteer a couple of hours, or perhaps days. What do you think; maybe the Hispanic community would like to collaborate with the school, in benefit of their own children.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6609317804565357003.post-52563041496961032022014-03-18T18:35:40.004-05:002014-03-18T18:35:40.004-05:00Dear Anonymous,
In my experience, I have seen ESL ...Dear Anonymous,<br />In my experience, I have seen ESL programs put in a place a system where there is an "ESL Liasion" in place when the ESL teacher is unavailable to welcome new families. This person should be extremely comfortable and familiar with the ESL program and non-English speaking families and children. They are able to provide enrollment information with the use of translated forms or by phoning an interpreter to assist. They also give the new family a tour of the school, which includes stopping by the ESL classroom, so you would get a chance to meet the family too. I've seen vice principals, guidance counselors, and secretaries serve in this capacity. Hope this helps!Holly Nieminoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6609317804565357003.post-59096599838339299832014-03-17T20:32:17.862-05:002014-03-17T20:32:17.862-05:00I could not agree with you more. As ESL teachers, ...I could not agree with you more. As ESL teachers, we do more than only teaching English as a second language. I am an ESL teacher in a middle school, and I love my job working with English language learners, but the school relies on me for everything related to these students and their families. The problem is that when non- English speaking Latino parents arrive to the school, there is nobody at the front office able to communicate with them. The office staff pulls me out of the classroom where I am working with a group of ELLs and I have to interrupt what I am doing to help these parents. As an advocate, to me is as important welcome and attend my students’ parents as is teaching my students. In order to improve Ells academic and social performance, is necessary to make parents feel welcomed, and provide them with effective services, such a bilingual personnel at the front office that can attend them personally and on the telephone, and during parent-teacher conferences. If parents do not feel comfortable at their children’s school, teachers will not have the opportunity to meet them and create a relationship in favor of the student. I am looking forward to read for ideas on how other schools are doing to solve this problem.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6609317804565357003.post-57790388480757103342014-02-28T11:17:31.529-06:002014-02-28T11:17:31.529-06:00So true Holly-thank you for giving a voice to the ...So true Holly-thank you for giving a voice to the importance of advocacy. In my observations as a school social worker I have noticed how much the ESL student depends and rely on the ESL teacher for much more than just academics. They look for support in navigating the social system of a school, for help in supporting parents/siblings, concerns with peers and also to meet basic needs (food and clothing). ESL advocates are valuable resource and asset in the school. I look forward to future posts!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com