Friday MM - February 27th

Good Morning!

SNOW DAZE.  March awaits with 20 days to make a difference in the lives of our students.

It's that time - Possible Retention letters will be sent home in the Tuesday packet of March 10th.

• Dear Parent/Guardian, We are concerned about the academic progress of STUDENT NAME HERE His/her name has been submitted to me as a possible retention and thus may repeat the same grade and curriculum next year. This letter serves as an important communication so that we may work together to do everything in our powers to provide opportunities for success. Please contact TEACHER NAME HERE to schedule a conference before the end of April. We still have ample time for interventions that will support increased learning for your child. We will re-evaluate the academic progress of STUDENT NAME HERE and schedule a conference with you for the end of May to determine proper placement for the 2015-2016 school year.

I need your list of students to receive this letter in my e-mailbox before March 6th.  Students not included on this initial list are not eligible for retention.  Please read the document below regarding the retention of ELL students.

Retention Considerations For Limited English Proficient (LEP) Students 

• What is the child’s English language proficiency level? 
• Consideration: the lower the child’s English language proficiency, the more likely his English ability affected his progress in an English speaking classroom.
• How long has the student been enrolled in a US school? 
• Consideration: It takes a child 4-10 years to fully acquire a second language.
• Are LEP instructional modifications being used and documented in the mainstream classroom (PEP and LEP Plan)?
• Consideration: If LEP instructional modifications are not used in the classroom consistently, the child may not have been able to demonstrate what he knows
• Are LEP testing accommodations being used consistently and documented for EOQs and EOGs?
• Is the child receiving the minimum amount of ESL services?
• Consideration: Without appropriate ESL services, most LEP students will acquire English only through classroom immersion which is the least effective method of English acquisition.
• Are we considering how much progress the child has made in acquiring English and acquiring content knowledge?
• AR 5122.3 Guidelines for Placement and Evaluation of Limited English Proficient (LEP) students. Cannot retain a child because of English language proficiency.