2026-2027
ELECTIONS / Nominations Close September 25
Nominees:
Vanessa Guerrero
Brianda Alvarez
Jennifer Sims
Open Positions
President:
Vice President:
Secretary:
District English Learner Advisory Committee - Birney Representatives
Nominees:
Vanessa Guerrero
Brianda Alvarez
More information: Jennifer Sims, jsims@sandi.net 619-497-3500 ext 4104
ELAC NEWS
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ELPAC Testing News
-sent Testing Notification Letters via students by September 15, 2026
-19 students tested
-children with a language other than English
-ELPAC testing was completed September 9th, to determine who qualifies for extra English language support
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NEW - Considering Zoom meeting for families who need an online option to attend ELAC meetings. Email jsims@sandi.net with your preferred (Tuesday 4pm or 5pm or Wednesday 4pm, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm)
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Next ELAC Meeting
September 25: Invite/Agenda & Minutes (draft - to be approved in October)
1:20 (enter at Meade gate)
1:30-2:30 Agenda
Understanding Your Child's ELPAC Results
Elections
Community Resources (SDUSD Welcome Center FREE resources for newcomer families - confirmed)
Translation will be available for Spanish and Vietnamese)
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Thank You!
2025-2026 ELAC Member Supported Events
Members to Present Biliteracy and Reclassification Awards at Winter at Student Performances
Passport to Adventure
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Summit K12 – Online Program for English Language Development
Summit will give us us 20 extra free accounts for 2026-2027
SDUSD may provide 3-5th graders with accounts - waiting to hear back
Lexia English will still be available to newcomers by SDUSD Multilingual Education Department
Awards are given to students who complete 20+ minutes a day on Summit Learning
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REQUEST for Prizes…
If by chance you are cleaning out toy boxes and kids’ bedrooms over the vacation, I could really use more prizes for our prize box. I pick them up at the Dollar Store but If you are cleaning out and have any little prizes I can use to reward students who pass their English sight word and math terms quizzes, or when they Level Up in Lexia English, I’d really appreciate it.
Students love the little packs of Legos, packs of Pokemon cards, bracelets, cute key chains, packs of stickers, action figures, little journal books, fancy pens and pencils, fidgits, packs of markers, packs of post-its, craft kits, and whatever else you might have extras of that I can use to reward our students who are learning English. Books and magazines like National Geographic or Highlights are fun too. I give them a prize and a book when they pass and I always need more popular books that they can choose from.
ELAC Questions? Comments on how to improve our school for your English Learner or your family?
Jennifer Sims (ELAC Advisor, IB, EL, and ELPAC Coordinator)
jsims@sandi.net, 619-497-3500 ext 4104, office in the Birney Library
On behalf of ELAC Members:
Brianda Alvarez & Natalia Moskevics
How to Talk to Your Child About Lockdown Drills and Active Shooters
Why Join the English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC)?
When you become involved in ELAC you have:
· An opportunity to better understand the school system
· An opportunity to interact directly with site English Learner (EL) experts
· More confidence in the school
· More self-confidence
· Opportunities to continue their own learning
Please consider participating! School staff members will provide guidance and support so you will feel comfortable and have a positive experience!
Research shows that when you are involved, your children have:
· Higher grades and test scores
· Better attendance
· More completed homework
· More positive attitudes about school
· Better behavior at school
· Higher graduation rates
· Improved chances of going to college
Please consider participating! Your child will know you are invested in his or her current learning and future success!
The benefits to schools of having you involved in ELAC include:
· Higher teacher morale
· Home-school partnerships
· Higher EL student achievement
· Better community understanding of EL issues
Please consider participating! You can be a positive role model for your child and other Birney families! You can provide input from a family member’s perspective!
¿Por Qué Debemos Pertenecer al Comité Consultivo del Plantel para Alumnos Que Aprenden Inglés (ELAC)?
Cuando los padres participan en ELAC tienen:
· La oportunidad de enterarse mejor del sistema escolar
· La oportunidad de interactuar directamente con los expertos sobre los Alumnos que Aprenden Inglés (ELs)
· Más confianza en la escuela
· Más confianza en si mismos
· Las oportunidades para continuar su propio aprendizaje
¡Le pedimos que considere participar! ¡Los integrantes del personal docente escolar proveen dirección y apoyo para que ustedes se sientan cómodos y tengan una experiencia positiva!
Las investigaciones muestran que cuando los padres participan, los hijos tienen:
· Calificaciones y resultados de las pruebas más altos
· Mejor asistencia
· Más tareas terminadas
· Mas actitudes positivas sobre la escuela
· Mejor conducta en la escuela
· Proporciones de graduación más altas
· Mejores oportunidades de ir a la Universidad
¡Le pedimos que considere participar! ¡Su hijo sabrá que usted invierte en su aprendizaje y éxito futuro!
Los beneficios para las escuelas que tienen padres participando en ELAC son:
· Elevar la moral de los maestros
· Alianzas hogar-escuela
· Rendimiento estudiantil de los EL más alto
· La comunidad entiende mejor los temas de EL
¡Le pedimos que considere participar! ¡Usted puede ser un ejemplo positivo para su hijo/a y otros padres! ¡Nos puede dar sugerencias desde la perspectiva como padre/madre!