English Language Learners
Medford Public Schools
English Language Learners Department
489 Winthrop Street
Medford, MA 02155
Phone: 781-393-2348
ELL Coordinator
Diane Guarino
Asssessment Specialist/Lead teacher
Loretta Tusa
Secretary
Gislhaine Bonbon
Medford High School
Lisa Beaulieu
Ami Boardman
Susan McDaniel
Melissa Monteiro
Gia Nguyen
McGlynn Middle School
Elaine Augot
Eddy Carre
Andrews Middle School
Rosetta Lavino
Leslie Trotta
Roberts Elementary School
Adelaine Cahill
Hong Liu
Jessie Reinold
Laura Schmidt (LOA 09-10)
Meredith Bowser
McGlynn Elementary School
Theresa Castagnetti
Columbus Elementary School
Nancy DeRosa
Paraprofessional/Portuguese Translator
Humberta Mostafa
Paraprofessional/Haitian-Creole Translator
Rita Parisse
Paraprofessional
Guilmar Santos
Welcome English Language Learners to the Medford Public Schools!
I would like to welcome all new and returning ELL students to the Medford Public Schools for school year 2009-2010. You have alot of work ahead of you this year to improve English skills in speaking, reading and writing. You must make a strong effort to study the new material presented to you by your teachers, complete home work assignments on time, report for after school help when needed and to participate in MCAS Prep classes so that you will receive a passing score on the MCAS.
I wish all of you a safe, happy and healthy year and I am expec ting you to put worth your best effort to be excellent students. Good Luck!
Mrs. Diane Guarino, ELL Coordinator
Sheltered English Immersion Overview
Sheltered English Immersion, or SEI, as we will refer to it, has replaced Transitional Bilingual Education under Chapter 71A. You may hear it referred to as English Immersion or just Immersion. This new program is the result of the November, 2002 election under Question 2. This concept prevents the teaching of students in their native language, expect for English born speakers. All students will be taught in English for English from the day they arrive in the United States and enter our schools. The program is referred to as ELL or English Language Learners. The Federal Government refers to these students as LEP, while the State uses ELL or El. Those students who are non-English or Limited English speaking with spend 80% of the day in the SEI class, and will receive only clarification in their native language. All content courses: Science, Math, Social Studies, as well as English will be provided in English in that classroom.
Students are assigned according to their need for SEI programs. More advanced students will receive English as Second Language classes daily, and will receive their content subject in the regular classroom. This new law requires all teachers to have ELL training, and subsequently a certificate to teach these students. Professional Development, for all teachers is ongoing in preparation for receiving many of these students as they transition out of Sheltered Immersion. As this date, only those teachers trained in language acquisition are considered qualified to teach these students.
New students enrolling in our school district must be tested in both English and their native language to determine their proper placement. District-wide, we generally service over 400 students daily, who come from numerable countries. In any given year, we have students from as many as 50 plus countries.
Annually, students are retested as to their reading and writing ability, as well as their oral communication skills. Progress is followed to determine whether the program is appropriate, or if more is required to prepare them for achieving grade level, in preparation of taking the MCAS with their peers. They are administered the MEPA (Massachusetts English Proficiency Assessment), as well as the MELA-O, which all teachers will eventually be trained to administer. As we look to the future, under NCLB (No Child Left Behind), and the new program, students will be followed to make certain progress is being made.
Translator/Interpreter Services
All ELL Parents are entiltled to translator services if necessary. We have Haitian-Creole, Portugeuse, Spanish and Chinese interpreters in house. Low-incidence populations may request services, but may have to wait until the district can contact outside services. Please call the ELL Office at 781-393-2348 or 781-393-2341 for further information.
Current News MCAS ELA Prep Classes will begin on January 5, 2010 and will continue every Tuesday and Thursday through March 18. Classes will be held from 2:30 pm until 3:30 pm.
Many thanks to all the students, faculty, staff and the Medford community for your generous donations given to aid the victims of the Haitian earthquake. Your kindness and generosity is greatly appreciated.
ELL MCAS Math Program begins on Monday, March 1 through Wednesday, MAy 12. Classes meet in C101 on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:30 to 3:30.
MEPA and MELA-O Testing is from March 1 to march 17. All ELL students will be tested to dtermine their English proficiency and progress.