Mid-West RBERN

This 3-part series will equip school counselors with knowledge and skills to improve their work with English Language Learners and their families. Session 1: Understanding ELLs in NYS and the barriers to their success. Session 2: Developing an Understanding of ENL programming, ELL subpopulations and the social emotional needs of ELLs. Session 3: Expanding cultural competence and humility and building relationships with students and families.

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.

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 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. 

Seasoned 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.

This training is intended for certified educators or administrators who are new to administering the NYSESLAT. Participants will learn how to prepare for testing and administer all four components of the test and practice scoring the speaking portion. Optional writing scoring materials will be available for participants to interact with on their own. Please note: if you have administered the NYSESLAT before, please do not sign up for this training. This is for new participants only. 

Please join us for an affinity group around Bilingual Education. The aim of this Professional Learning Community for leaders of bilingual education is to share resources and collectively solve problems to ensure equitable access to education for bilingual students. The sessions are open to leaders of bilingual and dual language programs in the Mid-West region.

The purpose of the NYSSB Network is to discuss best practices, share resources and effectively plan for the implementation of the NYS Seal of Biliteracy 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 with Recruitment, Deadlines, Culminating Project Presentations and Student Recognitions. Registered participants will receive a zoom link for the series 24 hours prior to the first meeting.

Please join Mid-West RBERN and author Greg Cuningham, author of "What Educators Need to Know About Law: Supporting Immigrant, Undocumented and Refugee Students," for a day of professional learning about the impact of immigration on students and their families. "Millions of students of noncitizen status or undocumented family members experience financial, cultural and socioeconomic hardships that can result in profound adverse effects upon their academic performance and social-emotional wellbeing." This PD and accompanying book will attempt to clear up misconceptions and provide useful information to school staff regarding specific challenges, dangers, and benefits of noncitizen immigration statuses and their impacts on students in this changing climate. AM: Author Greg Cunningham will present PM: Panel discussion on implications for students, their families and school systems. Lunch and books will be provided. 

Mid-West RBERN is proud to host and sponsor this session in collaboration with Deena Marshall from SupportEd. During this professional development session, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the the unique challenges and opportunities faced by multilingula learner (ML) newcomer students while also learning strategies to support students' content learning and academic langugae development. Participants will walk away with actionable, research-based strategies and tools they can use to strengthen instruction for their ML newcomer students. 

Aged eight, Dina Nayeri fled Iran along with her mother and brother and lived in the crumbling shell fo an Italian hotel-turned-refugee camp. Eventually, she was granted asylum in America. She settled in Oklahoma, then made her way to Princeton University. In this book, Nayeri weaves together her own vivid story with the stories of other refugees and asylum seekers in recent years, bringing us inside their daily lives and taking us through the different stages of their journeys, from escape to asylum to resettlement. In these pages, a couple fall in love over the phone, and women gather to prepare the noodles that remind them of home. A closeted queer man tries to make his case truthfully as he seeks asylum, and a translator attempts to help new arrivals present their stories to officials. Nayeri confronts notions like "the swarm" and on the other hand, "good" immigrants. She calls attention to the harmful way in which Western governments privilege certain dangers over others. With surprising and provocative questions, The Ungrateful Refugee challenges us to rethink how we talk about the refugee crisis. This virtual, asynchronous course will take place on Schoology from March 1st through April 3rd, 2025. Course links will be sent prior to the start of the course. Book must be purchased on your own.

This training is intended for certified educators or administrators who are new to administering the NYSESLAT. Participants will learn how to prepare for testing and administer all four components of the test and practice scoring the speaking portion. Optional writing scoring materials will be available for participants to interact with on their own. Please note: if you have administered the NYSESLAT before, please do not sign up for this training. This is for new participants only. 

Join Mid-West RBERN and the MLS team. The Multilingual Literacy SIFE Screener (MLS) is a diagnostic tool used in the intake process for Newcomer students. It is a recommended tool for identifying SIFE - Students with Interrupted/Inconsistent Formal Education. The MLS evaluates students' abilities in Reading comprehension and Math in their home language. The MLS can be accessed for free by all schools in NYS and is available in 19 languages. This introductory webinar provides an overview of the tests, a walkthrough of the website interface, and there will be time for questions and answers. A zoom link will be sent to registrants on the morning of the session. CTLE credit is available to participants.