Last Thursday, July 22, Chris McKenna presented "The Digital Culture of Kids," which shared ways of protecting children as they navigate today's digital culture. The presentation is available at THIS LINK.
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English Language Learning Program
Mission Statement
We are committed to providing high quality academic instruction and support to English learners in grades K-12. Our curricula are aligned to the national and state standards and develop both social and academic language and skills. We advocate strongly for the full participation of our students in every facet of our school community and promote a deep understanding of diverse learners and their cultures.
Display of Bilingual Poetry from Crocker Farm ELL Family Literacy Night, May 2016
Katie Richardson Yahdira Torres Mirialys Carmona
ELL Coordinator Administrative Assistant District Spanish Interpreter/Translator
413-362-1815 413-362-1825 413-362-1879
RichardsonKn@arps.org TorresY@arps.org CarmonaM@arps.org
General Information
The Amherst Public and Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools welcome students from over 38 different language groups who are learning English as a new language. The most common languages spoken are Spanish, Chinese, Cape Verdean Creole, Khmer, and Korean. Our school staff are dedicated to creating a high-quality, inclusive learning environment for all students that incorporates students’ linguistic and cultural backgrounds into their educational experiences.
The district’s two pronged Sheltered English Instruction Program consists of high quality instruction in English Language Development provided by licensed ESL teachers, coupled with Sheltered Content Instruction provided by SEI Endorsed classroom teachers. Additionally, clarification in the native language is provided to beginning English Learners to assist their access to grade level content while they are learning English. The level of instruction in English and amount of clarification in the native language is determined by a student’s English proficiency. English Language Learners are supported throughout the program to learn English and academic content, as well as to be active and engaged members of our school community.
Students’ language learning needs are determined through the use of standardized and authentic assessments. These are administered upon enrollment, annually, and at transfer from the program. Staff from the English Language Learning Program administer these assessments and do so in compliance with Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s regulations about educating English Language Learners.
Students transition from the ELL Program in a carefully planned sequence and are monitored, according to state regulations, for a period of two years upon their transfer from the program.
Inspirations
All you continentals of Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia, indifferent of place!
All you on the numberless islands of the archipelagos of the sea!
All you of centuries hence when you listen to me!
All you each and everywhere whom I specify not, but include just the same!
Health to you! good will to you all, from me and America sent!
Each of us is inevitable,
Each of us is limitless each of us with his or her right upon the earth,
Each of us allow'd the eternal purports of the earth,
Each of us here as divinely as any is here. By Walt Whitman
