WHITTIER CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
DELAC
NOVEMBER 20, 2014
Longfellow Elementary School -- Parent Center
Members Present:
Janie Nuanes, Instructional Specialist – English Learners
Josie Cruz, Clerk, Assessment Center
Imelda Flores, Dexter, Hoover
Alma Bobadilla, Longfellow
Tania Maguiña, MSTA
Berenice Escalera, Orange Grove
Teodora Medina, Sorensen
Guillermo Garcia, DELAC Secretary
Guests:
Marcela Pineda
Ana Peña
Olgá González
Albina Martínez
María Vásquez
Adilene Zamudio
Angelina Salazar
Josefina Chuela
Elizabeth Marquez
Grace Valdéz
9:10 a.m. Tania began by welcoming everyone present. New attendees introduced themselves.
9:15 a.m. DELAC meeting was called to order.
9:26 a.m. The current agenda and the minutes from last month’s meeting were read. Motion to approve the agenda was made by Josefina Chuela, seconded by Berenice Escalera. The minutes from the October 9th DELAC meeting were read and revisions were made. Motion to approve the minutes with revisions was made by Imelda Flores, seconded by Maria Vasquez.
OLD BUSINESS
A modification was made to the DELAC By-Laws, Article 6, Section 1 where it states the DELAC meetings to be held on Fridays. It was changed to Thursdays at 9:00 a.m. tudent academic performance will be reviewed and must meet the indicators established by a state exam. A unanimous vote made the change possible. The meetings will continue to be held at Longfellow School with at least 6 meetings per school year.
NEW BUSINESS
9:34 a.m. Mrs. Janie Nuanes (Instructional Specialist – English Learners) was welcomed, she then spoke to the parents about the process of reclassification of EL students. Mrs. Nuanes encouraged parents to help with other parents that might have questions about this topic. Parents were told the reclassification process is where an EL student is reclassified as proficient in the English language after meeting several requirements that were established by the state and the district. Any student in any school in the country, which is identified as an EL, can be given the academic support in preparation towards reclassification. Reclassification is a national requirement for all states and school districts - Education Code 313 (Ed. Code 313).
Parents were formed into 3 groups where they worked on a project to create and and explain the criteria to qualify for reclassification. Each group then shared their information with the whole group.
- 1. CELDT test – (California English Language Development Test) This annual test is administered to measure development in reading, writing, listening and speaking. The result of this test will determine the student’s level in English. The five levels are Beginning, Early Intermediate, Intermediate, Early Advanced and Advanced. If a student scores in Early Advanced or Advanced, they are considered for reclassification.
- 2. Competency in Basic Skills – The students academic performance will be reviewed and must meet the indicators established by a state exam. This school year, 2014 – 2015, instead of the CST exam, the district implemented a test called BST (Basic Skills Test), this test will measure basic skills of EL students in 3rd – 8th grade. They will also take a test called On Demand Writing Test. Only students who scored Early Advanced or Advanced on the CELDT will be able to take these exams which will be given twice a year, one in the fall and one in the spring.
- 3. Evaluation by the teacher and meeting with parents - Once the student reaches this level, the ELD specialist will consult with the student's teacher, principal and parents. If an agreement is reached, the student is then officially reclassified and is considered fluent in English. The students that are now FEP receive 2 years of monitoring.
During the presentation some of the parents had questions which Mrs. Nuanes promptly answered. Here are some of them:
What is a benchmark? A benchmark is a test given by the teacher to the students.
It can be a reading, math, writing or comprehension test. These tests measure progress or the student’s ability in the classroom based on the existing curriculum for that grade level.
Can a student who is currently an RFEP and has been monitored for 2 years return to the EL program if thier test scores go down? No. This student is offered support options such as Response to Intervention (RTI). The last option and one that is not recommended is to return to the EL program. There was also a question about a reading tutoring program in our district, Mrs. Nuanes suggested contacting Mrs. Karina Hartl, who is the Director of Special Programs.
Tania spoke of the letter of invitation to encourage parents to attend ELAC and DELAC meetings. She also shared information regarding the next CABE Conference which will be March 4-7, 2015 in San Diego, CA. It was suggested to have a Christmas Potluck, and Thursday, December 4, 2014 was chosen for the potluck.
An announcement was made regarding the parenting workshops given by PROedu for parents who want to be a part of thier child’s academic success. The workshops are offered at Jackson School on Friday mornings from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. and at Edwards Middle School on Thursday evenings from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. The workshops are free and are conducted in Spanish. Also mentioned was the idea of another store by Activate Whittier. Parents were asked to share the valuable information they just received.
Parents also discussed reclassification. The parents were encouraged to bring up new topics and issues of concern.
SCHOOL REPORTS –
Mill – Due to Veteran’s Day and the additional holiday, the ELAC meeting was postponed from November 12, 2014 and rescheduled for December 3, 2014. A Christmas Potluck celebration will also be on the 3rd. Topics for discussion will be LCAP and reclassification.
Hoover –
Due to low attendance, the meeting was changed. There was a meeting regarding Common Core Mathematics. Make-up picture day was held at the school.
Orange Grove –
The ELAC meeting was held on November 13, 2014. Ms. Rosetta Ferraloro was a guest speaker, she spoke about parenting classes that will begin in January 2015. November 20, 2014 was Literacy Night. There was also a meeting regarding Common Core Mathematics. O. G. had an Anti-Bullying assembly. Red Ribbon Week was held as well as first trimester awards.
Longfellow –
Ms. Rosetta Ferraloro provided parenting classes during the month of September 2014. PTA held a “Mud Run” which was a fundraising event. They were able to raise $15,000.00 for field trips. PTA is also organizing classroom libraries for 23 classrooms and providing non-fiction books. Principal Dr. Lily Torres received recognition for being one of the first schools to incorporate healthier eating options. November 20, 2014 was the Thanksgiving Fest. Parents were given the opportunity to create an Anti-Bullying group.
Phelan –
Topics that were discussed were: Revision of the Master Plan in regards to English Learners. Developing an assessment of the school’s needs. The annual language census (R-30). Ways for parents to be aware of the importance of regular school attendance. Training for parents to know their legal responsibilities.
Dexter –
The meeting was iniciated at 8:45 a.m., Mrs. Huynh welcomed the parents, Mrs. Imelda Flores read the minutes from the previous meeting. Attendance was low. Student’s attendance was discussed as well as ways to motivate the student’s to attend regularly. We also talked about CELDT testing and reclassification. November’s activities include:
November 13 – In-n-Out Hamburger Fry
November 14 – L. A. Opera
Novenber 20 – Canned food drive
November 21 – AQUÍ awards assembly
November 24-28 Thanksgiving Recess
Sorensen –
On Friday October 10, 2014, the parent group PROedu gave their workshop titled: The Basis for Success at School - Reading and Daily Attendance. On Friday October 17, 2014 the workshop was titled: Advocating For a Better Future: Rights and Responsibilities of Parents in the School. On Friday October 24, 2014 the workshop was titled: Discipline: Light on the Road. On Friday October 31, 2014 the workshop was titled: Transforming Realities: English Learners and Reclassification. More information was provided by Mrs. Janie Nuanes and Mrs. Karina Hartl. It was the last of 8 workshops given at Sorensen School. The parents were recognized for their attendance and participation by PROedu, who held an appreciation luncheon for them.
On Tuesday, October 14, a board meeting was held at Sorensen School. After each member gave their presentation, Sorensen employees Dana Castro and Socorro “Coco” Gonzales were recognized for thier outstanding work. Principal Dr. Vargas mentioned attendance on Science Night was 119. She also provided statistics from 2010 to 2013 that showed academic improvement and growth. Dr. Vargas shared a couple of video presentations where parents, students and teachers were shown in the field of science.
The message was that working together, this plan can become a reality. Activate Whittier classes were held on October 20 and 27 and November 3 and on November 5 participants were given awards after a potluck luncheon. October 30 was the ELAC meeting and the November 19 meeting was canceled.
PTA held several events:
October 24 Camouflage Day
October 22 Monthly meeting
October 27 – 31 Red Ribbon Week
October 30 Attendance Dance
October 31 Halloween
November 3 – 7 Book Fair
November 8 Fall Boutique
November 19 Monthly meeting & Attendance Dance
Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Mrs. Imelda Flores, seconded by Mrs. Teodora Medina. Meeting was adjourned at 11:20 a.m.
Next DELAC meeting will be January 22, 2015.