Community Assistance

ESL students and their families often feel cast aside, as many of them come from world regions and countries that are troubled by armed conflicts, natural disasters, and that are politically and economically unstable. Immigrating to another country is hard. Immigrant students are faced with new environment, introduced to another culture, enrolled in different school system where foreign language is used. All this can only cause additional stress to English Language Learners. Schools and communities, however, can help ELLs and their families feel welcome and appreciated.

Successful schools and school districts build connections with parents and communities in order to best support their EL students. Community involvement is meaningful, consistent participation in activities that support and improve social well being of EL students. Community involvement examples include engaging with, volunteering for and donating to local schools, neighborhood associations, and/or nonprofit organizations.

BPAC meetings

The Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee’s meetings (quarterly)

• primary objective is to establish a clear and collaborative voice between the bilingual community and the EL Program [the school]

• introduction

• the importance of ACCESS tests, scores

• online and school resources