ESOL Listserv Updates

Fri Nov 15 10:25:20 EST 2024

Dear ESOL Listserv,

As part of our commitment to streamline communication and enhance accessibility, the ESOL Listserv will serve as the primary channel for sharing professional development opportunities, updates on assessments, guidance, policy changes, and a variety of resources designed to support educators of multilingual learners. Through the Listserv, you will receive timely, targeted information and resources to stay informed and equipped for effective instruction and support.
To better serve our educational community, we will no longer be issuing a quarterly ESOL newsletter. Instead, we are focusing on regularly updating the Maine DOE website to house the most current information. This transition will allow for more frequent updates and an easier way for educators to access guidance and resources at their convenience.

  1.  Website Highlights- revisions, TLF, PD
     *   ML Teacher Leader Fellow:<https://mainedoenews.net/2024/09/26/maine-doe-welcomes-2024-2025-teacher-leader-fellows/> For the 2024-2025 school year, three of Maine's ESOL educators are sharing their expertise through the Teacher Leader Fellow program. They are developing professional development opportunities and practical resources for educators. If your district has specific needs, please share your ideas with us! Current topics in progress include supporting dual-language learners, fostering early learning, creating language access plans, collaborating with families, supporting multilingual learners with disabilities, and enhancing teamwork among educators. Their work will be featured on our website-be sure to check back regularly for updates!
                                                                              i.        Focus: MLs with Disabilities-Melissa Frans, Special Education Multilingual Coordinator, Portland Public Schools  (melissa.frans at maine.gov<mailto:melissa.frans at maine.gov>)
                                                                            ii.        Focus: Elementary Newcomers -Rebecca Carey, ESOL/Teacher/Coordinator, RSU3 (rebecca.carey at maine.gov<mailto:rebecca.carey at maine.gov> )
                                                                          iii.       Focus: Secondary Newcomers-Jenny Lunt, ESOL Teacher, South Portland Middle School (jenny.lunt at maine.gov<mailto:jenny.lunt at maine.gov>)

     *   Seal of Biliteracy Dashboard<https://www.maine.gov/doe/biliteracydashboard>- '23-'24 data is now live!
     *   *Updated*Maine Identification and Placement Guidance<https://wida.wisc.edu/sites/default/files/id-placement/ME-ID-Placement-Guidance.pdf>
     *   *New*SAU Self-Assessment Check List<https://www.maine.gov/doe/sites/maine.gov.doe/files/inline-files/multilingual%20learner%20-%20sau%20program%20self%20assessment%20-%2010.23.2024.pdf>
     *   *New* Multilingual Learner Data Upload and Reporting Checklist<https://www.maine.gov/doe/sites/maine.gov.doe/files/inline-files/Data%20-%20Multilingual%20Learner%20Data%20-%209.11.2024_0.pdf>

  1.  Seal of Biliteracy<https://www.maine.gov/doe/learning/content/world-language/biliteracy>: Join us for a special opportunity to review the Seal of Biliteracy submission process! Our office hours will be held on January 13 and January 27 from 3-4pm, and attendees are only required to join one of the meetings. We'll cover all the steps, answer questions, and ensure you feel prepared for submissions. A recording of the session will also be posted for those who are unable to attend live. Registration<https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMoceCvqzkiGNPq26ynvCN1PPLeAwu92IdD> is required. For any questions, contact Melanie Junkins (melanie.junkins at maine.gov<mailto:melanie.junkins at maine.gov>)
     *   Multilingual Learners now make up 30% of Seal of Biliteracy recipients. Check out the updated Seal of Biliteracy Guidebook<https://www.maine.gov/doe/sites/maine.gov.doe/files/inline-files/Maine%20Seal%20of%20Biliteracy%202025%20%285%29.pdf> for more information.

  1.  The Century Foundation and the National Newcomer Network Spotlight:
Westbrook Schools is highlighted on How Maine Schools are Welcoming "New Mainers"<https://tcf.org/content/commentary/how-maine-schools-are-welcoming-new-mainers/>

  1.  Pine Project:<https://www.maine.gov/doe/pineproject> The Pine Project,<https://mainedoenews.net/category/federal-emergency-relief-funding/pine-project/> is a first-in-the-nation Maine DOE initiative aims to foster inclusive school environments by helping readers to explore themes of immigration, diversity, and belonging. In September, every school administrative unit (SAU) in Maine received a Welcoming <https://mainedoenews.net/2024/09/13/maine-department-of-education-sends-thousands-of-free-books-to-be-accessed-by-every-public-school-in-the-state/> Library: Pine Collection, made up of 30 picture books that reflect the diverse experiences of immigrant families and their children. Embedded in these books are social-emotional learning (SEL) discussion questions that educators can refer to when facilitating impactful classroom conversations. Alongside the library, The Pine Project also offers a professional learning series, which features self-guided training for educators on how to use these books to teach critical skills like self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship building, and responsible decision-making. The trainings are asynchronous <https://mainedoenews.net/2024/10/16/maine-department-of-education-provides-free-professional-learning-opportunities-through-the-pine-project/> and available to anyone.
Visit the PINE Project resources here: https://www11.maine.gov/doe/pineproject

  1.  Newsletters and Upcoming Events

  *   National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition (NCELA) Newsletter
NCELA Nexus is a semimonthly e-newsletter to share new resources, upcoming events, and other announcements, and provide links to opportunities for jobs, education, and funding related to the education of ELs and the EL community. Here is the most recent NCELA Nexus Newsletter from October<https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Nexus--Register-Today-for-Part-1-of-the-Newcomer-Toolkit-Webinar.html?soid=1134240229389&aid=LpjYc3KagzU>.  Nexus subscribers may also receive occasional, time-sensitive announcements from OELA and NCELA. Sign up HERE<https://ncela.ed.gov/newsletters>.

  *   Teacher Empowerment: Leveraging AI Resources for Language Development Webinar: Tuesday November 19 4-5:30
NAELPA Q4 Webinar: Teacher Empowerment: Leveraging AI Resources for Language Development - Details (connect.space)<https://naelpa.connect.space/naelpa-q4-webinar-teacher-empowerment-leveraging-ai-resources-for-language-development/details>

  *   Strategies for Supporting Newcomer Students' Academic Success: National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments (NCSSLE) Webinar: November 20, 2024, 3-4:30 p.m. EST       Register here<https://safesupportivelearning.ed.gov/events/webinar/lessons-field-webinar-strategies-supporting-newcomer-students-academic-success>

  *   WIDA Webinar: Let's play! Joyful learning for multilingual children in PreK-third grade: December 3, 2024   |  3:30 pm - 4:45 pm EST     Register here<https://uwmadison.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_C98Rnt3mTDuZ3t01Us2QrQ#/registration>

Visit WIDA's "Grow" to learn more about upcoming free and recorded webinars:
https://wida.wisc.edu/grow/wida-webinars

  *   ELLevation's 5th Annual IMPACT Conference<https://info.ellevationeducation.com/l/863261/2024-10-25/c25nhh/863261/1729872264dLzIcCEb/IMPACT_2024_flyer.pdf?_gl=1*1ul7aca*_gcl_au*NTM4NzI1Nzc3LjE3MzA4MDg3ODg.*_ga*MzUzMjRjODMtNTIwYS00MmIyLTg2YmEtM2Y1ODk5MzU5ZDM4*_ga_1NQ90ZJ3GW*MTczMDgwODc4OC4zNy4xLjE3MzA4MDg5MDQuNjAuMC4xMTE1NjQyODY.>  : December 9-12, 2024   Virtual/Zoom     FREE!   Register HERE<https://events.zoom.us/ev/At86_IUwL99JotGTOElrg2AibQTH1vPR9IiySZpXMIqdgs1u1alI~Asbr-h-C4GD85p9jCJmKAlSaKrP5Z1ysaXvV6jwg2nkGlwETEm3KyJsqBg>

  *   Educators for a Multilingual Maine (EMME) Spring Conference: Stepping into Engaging Acquisition: March 28, 2025 Learn more about proposals, keynote speakers, and more here.<https://www.canva.com/design/DAGU43DQypQ/BX6d85kviNue4lsY70wfXA/view?utm_content=DAGU43DQypQ&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=editor#1>

  1.  WIDA State Page: Maine
Visit Maine's WIDA state page for specifics on how to access professional learning opportunities, assessment dates, and the 2024-2025 ML Identification and Placement Guidance document.
https://wida.wisc.edu/about/consortium/me

  *   New WIDA Resources
     *   Alternate ACCESS

  *   The Alternate Can Do Descriptors<https://wida.wisc.edu/resources/alternate-can-do-descriptors> (Alt Can Dos) are the first-ever Can Do Descriptors for multilingual learners with the most significant cognitive disabilities. The Alt Can Dos exemplify what students can do with communication and language at various stages of English language development.
  *   Visit WIDA's Alternate ACCESS website for more resources.
  *   Reminder: Alternate ACCESS exit criteria, based on the new Alternate ACCESS 2.0 (operational beginning in 2024), is currently being determined. Alternate ACCESS exit criteria will be updated by summer of 2025.

  1.  Maine DOE Assessment Updates: ACCESS and Alternate ACCESS
Important Dates
11/21/24 - 2/28/25
WIDA AMS Test Setup Available for Registrations
12/12/24 - 12/13/24
Districts Receive Test Materials
12/12/24 - 2/21/25
Additional Test Material Ordering Window in WIDA AMS
1/6/25 - 2/28/25
Test Window
3/11/25
Deadline for Shipping Completed Test Materials to DRC -Postmark date

  *   Visit our website for updates and professional learning opportunities:
Maine Comprehensive Assessment System (MECAS) | Department of Education<https://www.maine.gov/doe/Testing_Accountability/MECAS>
November Monthly Update: Assessment - November 2024 Worksheet - 11.5.2024.pdf<https://www.maine.gov/doe/sites/maine.gov.doe/files/inline-files/Assessment%20-%20November%202024%20Worksheet%20-%2011.5.2024.pdf>

  1.  Updated Contacts: Supporting multilingual learners is a collaborative effort that requires the expertise and coordination of multiple teams. At the Maine Department of Education, various offices are dedicated to ensuring multilingual learners receive the resources, guidance, and support they need to thrive academically and socially. Below are updated contacts for key offices and personnel who work together to promote equitable access to education for multilingual learners and their families.

Adult Education
Amy Poland
Amy.Poland at maine.gov<mailto:Amy.Poland at maine.gov>
Assessment

Jodi Bossio-Smith
Jodi.Bossio-Smith at maine.gov<mailto:Jodi.Bossio-Smith at maine.gov>
Alternate and ELP Assessment
Mechelle Ganglfinger
Mechelle.Ganglfinger at maine.gov<mailto:Mechelle.Ganglfinger at maine.gov>
Early Learning
Nicole Madore
Nicole.Madore at maine.gov<mailto:Nicole.Madore at maine.gov>
ESOL
Jane Armstrong
Jane.Armstrong at maine.gov<mailto:Jane.Armstrong at maine.gov>
Multilingual and Bilingual Education

Melanie Junkins
Melanie.Junkins at maine.gov<mailto:Melanie.Junkins at maine.gov>
Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education
Leora Byras
Leora.Byras at maine.gov<mailto:Leora.Byras at maine.gov>
Title III
Daniel Weeks
Daniel.Weeks at maine.gov<mailto:Daniel.Weeks at maine.gov>

With gratitude for championing multilingual learners in Maine!

Jane Armstrong (she,her)
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) State Specialist
Office of Teaching and Learning
Maine Department of Education
23 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-0023
Email: jane.armstrong at maine.gov<mailto:jane.armstrong at maine.gov>
Phone: 207-446-3294

Melanie Junkins, MSEd (she/her)

Multilingual and Bilingual Education Specialist

Office of Teaching and Learning

Maine Department of Education
23 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-0023
Email: melanie.junkins at maine.gov<mailto:melanie.junkins at maine.gov>

Phone: 207-215-9694

Maine DOE<http://www.maine.gov/doe> | Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/MaineDepartmentofEducation1/> | Twitter<https://twitter.com/mdoenews> | Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/mainedepted/?hl=en> | Maine DOE Newsroom<https://mainedoenews.net/>
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*ESOL Listserv Updates*

ESOL Listserv Updates