December 2, 2022

Dear Parent/Guardian,

 

Your child is currently eligible for English Language Learner (ELL)  Program support services. In order to determine the progress ELL students are making in their English proficiency, all ELL students are assessed annually using the ACCESS for ELLs test. The State of Alaska requires ACCESS for ELLs testing by law, and the School District is not allowed to give the test remotely.

 

Name of Test: ACCESS for ELLs. For more information about ACCESS for ELLs, please visit https://wida.wisc.edu/

 

Testing Window: February 1 - March 31, 2023 (Your school will provide a testing schedule for your child)

 

Location: In person at your child’s school

 

Important information:

• The test will measure your child’s level of English proficiency in listening, reading, speaking, and writing. Test results will be shared with you over the summer through PowerSchool Parent Portal and by mail early next school year.

• The test can only be given in person; most students take the test on a Chromebook but some students may take the test on paper.

• School staff will follow the guidelines in the School District’s health and safety plan.

• If your child has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) due to a disability, appropriate testing accommodations, as stated in the IEP, will be provided.

• Students in Alaska exit ELL Program services when they reach an overall proficiency level of 4.5 in the ACCESS for ELLs test. Scores range from 1.0 (beginner) to 6.0 (fluent).

• You as a parent/guardian can decline ELL Program services for your child. However, we are required to continue to annually assess your child’s English Language Proficiency until your child meets the State of Alaska defined exit criteria.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the ELL Program staff at your child’s school or me directly.

 

Sincerely,

 

Virva Elliott

ELL Program Coordinator

Fairbanks North Star Borough School District

virva.elliott@k12northstar.org

(907) 452-2000 ext. 11467

ELL PD Account Request Form for FNSBSD staff

Slides

Slides

 

The document linked below outlines the Language Instruction Education Programs available in FNSBSD. 

FNSBSD ELL Student Supports

(Spanish translation forthcoming)

For more specific guidance on English Learner (EL) student supports in FNSBSD, see FNSBSD Plan of Service for English Learners.

ELL and ANE Programs invite you to the 42nd annual

Celebration of Cultures

on September 29th, 2022

5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

at Ryan Middle School

Come enjoy the cultural performances by school district students and staff. Taste the potluck dishes from around the world. You are welcome to bring a dish to share from your culture.

For additional information or questions, call ELL Program office at (907) 452-2000 ext. 11488.

Zoom meeting at 3:00 p.m. link to connect:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83380380877?pwd=eEJ0aE1mNVZ6S2RicUQzK1lPZW0wUT09

Meeting ID: 833 8038 0877
Passcode: 967194

Link to slideshow: May 9th 2022 Parent Input Meeting

Link to survey: bit.ly/title3a

FNSBSD ELL Program offers a free summer program for ELL students in grades K-8 this June. The program is free and bus transportation is available. The program dates are June 6th-23rd, Monday-Thursday. Location is Ryan Middle School. The daily program runs from 9:00 am. to 12:30 pm (there is free breakfast available at 8:30 a.m.). Parents can enroll their students online through this link bit.ly/ELLSUMMER. Space is limited. Enrollment deadline is May 6th, 2022.

ELL Summer Reading Club flyer

ACCESS for ELLs Testing for the school year 2021-2022 will take place from February 1st through March 31st, 2022.

Students in grades K through 12 who qualify for ELL services will be tested in Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing.

You can find additional information on our ACCESS for ELLs page: https://www.k12northstar.org/Page/5338.

Parent Notification - English

Parent Notification - Spanish