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In This Issue: 1

News and Updates

2 Professional Development

Opportunities

3Seal of Bilingualism

Model United Nations

4Upcoming MLL Events and Professional

DevelopmentQuote to Note

MLL Mission and Vision

THE MLL NEWSLETTER IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON THE MLL WEBSITE

MLL Newsletter April 19, 2017

Greetings from the Office of Multilingual Learning

The Office of Multilingual Learning oversees English Language Programming & Dual Language and Immersion

Happy Spring, SPPS MLL Team!

News and Updates

MDE Onsite Review

Teachers and administrators attended information sessions led by MLL during which they learned about the results of the MDE review of SPPS EL

Programming and Services and the Corrective Action Plan that was submitted to MDE. The Corrective Action plan outlines the work a variety of SPPS

stakeholders will undertake to bring the critical elements into compliance. Goals in the Corrective Action Plan were created in collaboration with a variety of

stakeholders including EL teachers. MDE will respond with feedback soon. The complete Corrective Action Plan is available in the MLL Schoology Group.

Access code: SBVQ6-HQW75 Please feel free to connect with Dr. Yeu Vang, Elzbieta Murphy, or Erika Bakkum if you have any questions.

Seal of Bilingualism

The Seal of Bilingualism testing is underway in SPPS! On Saturday April 15th, SPPS students took tests to acquire the Seal in a variety of languages. See

page 3 for more information.

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Supporting English Learners: Resources for Leaders (Stanford Online)

This course provides a set of resources designed to support educational leaders in driving educational change for English Learners. These resources guide educational leaders through a process of examining existing systemic thinking and structures around the education of English Learners, using organized tools to look more deeply at practices for ELs, and developing or refining a plan to propel systemic change and shift practices. http://online.stanford.edu/course/supporting-english-learners-resources-leaders?utm_source=iContact&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Stanford%20Online&utm_content=March+Mailer+Final

Know your Rights--A class at SPFT4/25/17 from 4:30-6:45

This is an important training for educators by MIRAc (Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee) volunteers and SPFT teachers about what are our rights when Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) show up at the door. Many of our students are living in the uncertainty of possible deportation of themselves or family members. At this training participants will brainstorm, share resources and discuss how to present this information to our students. Our superintendent made a strong stand against allowing ICE into our schools in order to help keep our students and families safer. Now it’s up to us to bring the message to our students that they all belong here and that we intend to stand up for their rights.

http://www.spft.org/2017/04/know-your-rights-training/

Personalized Learning Department in collaboration with DigitalWorks, Literacy Dept and MLL have several exciting summer learning opportunities to support technology integration in a 1:1 iPad environment!

Check out our website at http://bit.ly/PLsummerPD for course offerings.

Audience: Classroom Teachers, Specialists, Building Coaches, TOSAs, and District Coaches

Please share this information with your staff, sites and teachers you support. Let me know if there are any questions. Our iLearn Institutes fill up fast so encourage folks to sign-up ASAP.

Professional Development Opportunities

5th annual Spring Fling Conference onStudents with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE)

Minnesota’s foremost spring event on Refugee & Immigrant EducationFREE –ALL ARE WELCOME -- no membership required

When: Sat., May 6Time: 11:00- 5:00

Where: St. Olaf College, Tomson Hall, Northfield, MNWhat: 16 high quality concurrent sessions on SLIFE education, 2 plenaries, free food (sambusas and tamales)

For more information on sessions and schedule, visit the MinneSLIFE website. Minneslife site url: https://sites.google.com/site/minneslife

Questions: minneslife@gmail.com

Please RSVP here—thank you! RSVP url: https://goo.gl/forms/qzqZepeNi7BMoBCg1

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Dual Language / Immersion Programs

French Immersion• L’Etoile du Nord• Ramsey Middle• Central High School

German Immersion• Central High School

Hmong Dual Language• Phalen Lake

Elementary• Jackson Elementary• Washington Middle• Washington Senior• Battle Creek Middle• Harding High Mandarin Immersion• Jie Ming Mandarin

Immersion Academy• Highland Senior High

Spanish Immersion / Dual Language• Adams Spanish

Immersion• Riverview Elementary• Wellstone Elementary• Highland Park Middle • Highland Senior High

We Are Here to Support You!Liz Hathaway-Castelán, DL Program Leadliz.hathaway-castelan@spps.orgDirect: 651-744-3418Cell: 651-558-7191

Welcome, Dual Language & Immersion Teachers!

May 5, 2017Annual Hmong Enrichment

Program CelebrationWashington High School

5:30-7:30 PM

Highland Park Middle School students attempted to resolve the worldwide refugee crisis in a Model United Nations - ¡en español! ¡BRAVO, ALUMNOS! Star Tribune Article

Seal of Bilingualism: 15 Hmong, 14 Karen, 2 Somali, 3 French, 3 Spanish assessments were given to SPPS students last Saturday. 70 students are registered for next Saturday.

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For more information and to register see PDExpress

Upcoming MLL Events and Professional DevelopmentApril and May

April 20 Session 1: Academic Language Development in Content Areas

4:00-6:00

April 25 Bilingual Educational Assistant Professional Development Day 3

9:00-12:00

April 27 Session 2: Academic Language Development in Content Areas

4:00-6:00

May 4 Session 3: Academic Language Development in Content Areas

4:00-6:00

Quote to Note

Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every

society, in every family.

Kofi Annan l

Thank you for your contributions and

support to the vision and mission of multilingual

learning.

To provide a premier education for language learners, with long-range goals for language proficiency, strong foundations, community engagement

and collaborative success. Imagine Every Student…Proficient in at least two languages, with a strong foundation in academic knowledge, communication skills and cultural understanding.Proud of their own cultural heritage, with clear appreciation for the many cultures which compose the richness of our community.Challenged, supported and inspired to graduate to something great

Imagine every Family…Welcomed in a language they understand, by staff who embrace the wealth of diversity within our schools.Empowered with the knowledge and tools to nurture their children’s educational efforts.Sharing their cultural heritage with the students, families, and staff that make up our school district community

Imagine our community…Stronger for the gifts that we collectively contribute to the education of our children.Richer in well prepared, linguistically diverse and culturally proficient graduates.Prepared to create a bright future together.