Mid-West RBERN

In 2018, the Office of Special Education Programs released a series of 4 briefs from Project ELITE, Project ELLIPSES and Project LEE titled: Meeting the Needs of English Learners With and Without Disabilities. These briefs focus on the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework for the language and learning needs of ELLs and highlight the key questions and considerations that educators often encounter when implementing tiered instruction for our bi/multilingual learners. Join us as we explore the process of creating a MTSS for ELLs. Participants will have time to review the briefs and discuss possibilities for creating a MTSS for their school, district or classroom. Participants will meet twice on zoom and complete a portion of the work asynchronously prior to the final meeting date.

New ELL Coordinators are welcome to join us, as they can, for monthly meetings covering everything related to English Language Learners and bilingual programming and placement, CR 154 policy, testing, family engagement, equitable instruction and much more. This group will serve as a community of support for those navigating and supporting this subgroup of students. Seasoned ELL Coordinators are also welcome to join as they see topics of interest. Meetings will be held virtually, each month. 

Are you new to SIFE? Do you have questions about instruction and/or programming to meet the needs of SIFE? Join Mid-West RBERN for a 1.5-hour SIFE Q&A. We will provide technical assistance and resources to help you meet the needs of SIFE in your district. Come to the sessions that work for you. The zoom link will be sent to registrants on the morning of the meeting. 

This collaborative will meet bi-monthly for facilitated conversations and resource sharing opportunities for topics related to ELL curriculum and instruction, advocacy for ELLs, parent and community engagement and other similar topics.

New Year. New Opportunities. Community, growth and purpose await you in 2025 at the BOCES 2 Hiring Event on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025 from 3-7 p.m. at the BOCES 2 Professional Development Center, 3599 Big Ridge Road, Spencerport, NY.

Additional information is available at www.monroe2boces.org/hiring, including a quick and easy pre-registration form.

Seasoned Part 154 ELL Coordinators (those who have been in the position for more than a year) are invited to join us as they are able for bimonthly meetings. Agendas will be steered by coordinator needs and questions and there will be a space for an open forum. 

The purpose of the New York State Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB) Network is to discuss best practices, share resources and effectively plan for the implementation of the NYS Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB) in schools and districts across the Mid-West Region. A focus on how ELLs and non-ELLs can earn the NYSSB. Meetings are designed to support new and existing districts offering NYSSB interested in a refresher/relaunch. Topics include but are not limited to: Getting Started and Recruitment, Deadlines, Culminating Project Presentations and Student Recognitions. Registered participants will receive a Zoom Link for the series 24 hours prior to the start of the first meeting.

Please join us for an affinity group around Bilingual Education. The aim of this Professional Learning Community for leaders of bilingual or dual language programs is to share resources and collectively solve problems to ensure equitable access to education for bilingual students. Reading material for professional growth will be provided between sessions. The sessions are open to leaders of bilingual and dual language programs in the Mid-West Region. Zoom links for the entire series will be sent to registrants 24 hours prior to the first meeting. Note: Meetings are held from 10am - 11am with additional time provided for reading material. Please register and attend the sessions that fit your schedule. Registration closes on September 24th. 

This professional development opportunity is for teachers looking for additional ways to engage with their English Language Learners/Multilingual Learners (ELLs/MLs) or any students with language needs. This workshop will support inclusive and dynamic teachers looking for more interactive ways to engage all students. In this hands-on workshop, participants will practice useful creative strategies and methods that can be adapted for all learners. Teachers will leave with a toolkit of fun, ready-to-use songs, chants, movements and games that support K-6 MLs in their language acquisition and translanguaging experiences. 

An informal, bimonthly zoom session for secondary ENL teachers. Teachers will engage in facilitated conversation related to instruction, assessment, advocacy, resource sharing and parent and family engagement. Zoom link will be sent to registrants prior to the first meeting. 

New ELL Coordinators are welcome to join us, as they can, for monthly meetings covering everything related to English Language Learners and bilingual programming and placement, CR 154 policy, testing, family engagement, equitable instruction and much more. This group will serve as a community of support for those navigating and supporting this subgroup of students. Seasoned ELL Coordinators are also welcome to join as they see topics of interest. Meetings will be held virtually, each month. 

New ELL Coordinators are welcome to join us, as they can, for monthly meetings covering everything related to English Language Learners and bilingual programming and placement, CR 154 policy, testing, family engagement, equitable instruction and much more. This group will serve as a community of support for those navigating and supporting this subgroup of students. Seasoned ELL Coordinators are also welcome to join as they see topics of interest. Meetings will be held virtually, each month. 

Mid-West RBERN is hosting two Principals' Forums for the 2024-25 school year. These forums are opportunities for principals to troubleshoot, seek advice and gain understanding of the topics surrounding English Language Learner and Bilingual students. Topics will be driven by audience but may include CR-Part 154, classroom look-fors, best practices and assessment and accommodations. Principals will also be invited to our ELL Admin Community, a virtual space for collaboration and resources. 

Registered participants will receive the zoom link the morning of the meeting.

Dually identified students who are both ELLs and have documented disabilities are legally entitled to services under both classifications. However, in many contexts within K-12 education, from the classroom to school to district to state levels, Special Education and English Learner support are two separate, siloed systems. It is imperative that educators within each system understand ways to fully support dually-identified students and that these educators work together to create systems and supports. Educators need to understand where, how and why to integrate linguistically and culturally appropriate supports throughout the process of writing and executing IEPs. This presentation will cover considerations for evaluation of ELLs who are referred to special education, infusing language acquisition support throughout the sections of the IEP, and appropriate strategies for placement and implementation. Participants will analyze causes of disproportionate classification of ELLs, practice integrating language supports into measurable student goals, and compare program and placement options that support both classifications.