English Language Learner Program
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Welcome to the English Language Learners Program
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The ELL Program supports schools in delivering an equal educational opportunity to students who speak a language or languages other than English, who speak another language in addition to English, or who have a language other than English spoken in their home, and who are academically achieving below grade level. The program focuses on helping students gain basic interpersonal communication skills and academic language proficiency in English, while developing and maintaining a healthy cross-cultural perspective.
FNSBSD English Learner Plan of Service 2018 - 2023
FNSBSD English Learner Plan of Service 2023-2028
Do you have a question? Use this form to submit a question regarding ELL Program and the services we provide to our students.
English Learner Family Toolkit from the U.S. Department of Education/Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA) provides important information about public schools in the United States. The following translations are available: Descargue los capítulos 1 y 2 del juego de herramientas para la familia de aprendices de inglés, 下载英语学习者家庭工具包的第1章和第2章, م بتنزيل الفصول 1 و 2 من مجموعة الادوات الاسرية لمتعلمي اللغة الانكليزية.
Starting School in the United States - A Guide for Newcomer Students' Families from REL Northwest, answers many questions newcomer families typically have about the U.S. school system. The guide offers guidance on the registration process, how families can get involved in their children's education, the rights every student has under U.S. law, and more. The guide is available in four languages (English, Spanish, Somali, and Arabic).
Announcements
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FNSBSD EL Plan of Service Approved by Alaska Department of Education
Posted by Virva Elliott on 5/8/2023 11:30:00 AMThe Alaska Department of Education and Early Development has approved the revised English Learner (EL) Plan of Service (POS) for the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District. The new EL POS is effective from 7/1/2023 through 6/31/2028. The EL POS may be revised annually, as necessary.
You can view the EL Plan of Service 2023-2028 here.
If you have questions regarding the EL Plan of Service, don't hesitate to get in touch with the ELL Program Coordinator, Virva Elliott, at virva.elliott@k12northstar.org or (907) 452-2000 ext. 11467.
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ELL Family Night April 20th, 2023
Posted by Virva Elliott on 4/14/2023 2:00:00 PMELL Program Family Night on Thursday, April 20th, 2023 from 4:40 pm to 6:00 pm in The Center, 520 Fifth Ave, Fairbanks.
Come learn about how you can support your child's reading at home, and hear about the Pathways program at the Literacy Council of Alaska to support students after high school, and the adult ESL classes at the Literacy Council of Alaska.
We will have literacy backpacks for the first ten families to arrive!
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ACCESS for ELLs Testing February 1st - March 31st, 2023
Posted by Virva Elliott on 12/2/2022 8:00:00 AMDecember 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:
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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.
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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.
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School staff will follow the guidelines in the School District’s health and safety plan.
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If your child has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) due to a disability, appropriate testing accommodations, as stated in the IEP, will be provided.
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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).
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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
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English Learner Plan of Service Review - Stakeholder Meeting
Posted by Virva Elliott on 10/27/2022 2:00:00 PM -
WIDA and Ellevation Open Workshop
Posted by Virva Elliott on 9/30/2022 12:30:00 PM -
Addendum to Parent Notification Letters - FNSBSD ELL Student Supports
Posted by VIRVA ELLIOTT on 9/8/2022 4:30:00 PMThe document linked below outlines the Language Instruction Education Programs available in FNSBSD.
(Spanish translation forthcoming)
For more specific guidance on English Learner (EL) student supports in FNSBSD, see FNSBSD Plan of Service for English Learners.
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42nd Annual Celebration of Cultures on September 29th
Posted by Virva Elliott on 8/31/2022 10:00:00 AMELL 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.
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ELL Parent Input Meeting May 9, 2022 at 3:00 p.m.
Posted by Virva Elliott on 5/9/2022 12:30:00 PMZoom meeting at 3:00 p.m. link to connect:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83380380877?pwd=eEJ0aE1mNVZ6S2RicUQzK1lPZW0wUT09
Meeting ID: 833 8038 0877
Passcode: 967194Link to slideshow: May 9th 2022 Parent Input Meeting
Link to survey: bit.ly/title3a
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Contact Information
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Administrative Center
2nd Floor, Suite D
Email: ELL-office@k12northstar.orgVirva Elliott
ELL Program Coordinator
virva.elliott@k12northstar.org
(907) 452-2000 x11467Laura Capelle
ELL Program Records Manager
laura.capelle@k12northstar.org
(907) 452-2000 x11488Monica Mellado Baltazar
Bilingual Assistant - Spanish
monica.baltazar@k12northstar.org
(907) 452-2000 x11125