Every year, #TeamESOL at Jupiter MS takes a select group of 8th grade Spanish and Mayan speakers to tour our local state college. This unique experience allows ELL students to see what is possible for them!

Many of you have asked for more information about replicating this program in YOUR schools and communities. So, I created this page as a guide, explaining how my team and I created this one-of-a-kind program and made the magic happen for our wonderful students. Some of these tips evolved out of trial and error; we've learned a few things along the way!

1. Establish clear goals for the program. Our program aligns with our district's goal of preparing students for colleges and careers. Our team seeks to provide equal access and opportunity for ALL learners, regardless of heritage.

2. Reach out to your local college. The contact person should be a Community Outreach Coordinator, the person responsible for promoting the college within your community.

3. Seek funding for transportation, and lunch if that is an option. Our team applies for a grant from our school district's Department of Multicultural Education. Our trip returns to school by lunchtime, so we only need funding for the school bus.

4. Communicate with the Community Outreach Coordinator about the needs of your students. Many of our 8th graders are newcomers, and some are SLIFE students. The only requirements I convey to the college is that 1. the tour must be led completely in Spanish, and 2. the tour must have hands-on activities to keep the students engaged. TIP: we learned that the fun activity should be the LAST part of the trip. Also, ask if there are any "swag" gifts the college can provide. Our kids have been given PBSC fidget spinners, t-shirts, sunglasses, pencils, mouse pads, and of course the DNA necklaces they create in the lab.

5. Select the students you would like to invite, and create a heritage-language invitation to explain the nature of the field trip to them and their parents. Along with the invitation, give them a pre-filled permission slip. We give the information out approximately 10 days before the trip.

6. Generate a robo-call to inform parents about the invitation and permission slip. Emphasize that the trip is completely FREE and that school staff will be with them at all times. Create a brief presentation to show the students and families beforehand. Feel free to use the slides on the left as a guide.

7. Make sure that students photographed have waivers on file! Safety of our children is always the #1 priority.

8. HAVE FUN! The kids always have a GREAT time, and they love the personal attention they receive in their heritage language.