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Feb. 2010State Representatives’ Report - Maine: Ina Demers and Laura Wittmann
1. Lee Academy- working on creating sister schools in China and South Korea. The academy is an
accredited boarding school with many international students
2. Grace Valenzuela, the director of Portland’s ESL
program, was highlighted in a new book, New Mainers: Portraits of our Immigrant Neighbors by Pat Nyhan.
3. Portland’s
Multicultural Center will offer its annual Rock Around the World fundraiser on March 12, 2010 at the Italian Heritage in Portland,
Maine. For more info contact Margie Mcdonald at (207) 874-8135. Coordinated by the Portland Public School, Office of Multilingual.
4. Via an informal poll on Maine’s ESL Listserve, many of Maine’s ESL professionals are concerned about how
best to serve their low-incidence populations and how to connect with colleagues. Another concern is how to tease out Special
Ed differences from ESL needs and finding appropriate interpreters for their students’ families.
In looking at
NH, it is suggested that Maine create small working groups by geographic area that would allow ESL professionals to have a
sense of community and professional support. There is an informal group in the Bangor area that meets 3-4 times a year.
5. Maine’s Professional Development includes monthly conference calls by Nancy Mullins, Don Bouchard and his ACCESS/
webinar series; and two workshops on culture and teaching by Dr. Sonia Nieto.
6. In terms of standardized testing, Maine
started using NECAPS in the fall, to replace the MEA. NECAPS is a standardized achievement test used in Vermont, New Hampshire
and Rhode Island. In testing in October, the student is tested on what they know from the previous school year. First year
ESL students can still use the ACCESS test to take the place of the Reading test, but must take the Math section with accommodations.
7. Diane Bonney, of Ellsworth, has been chosen by the WIDA consortium to take a paid course in writing test items for ACCESS.
8. Eastern Maine Community College offers an ESL program now under Changsu Lee. IEI at UMaine continues to operate with
about 20-30 students as a “school within a school”
9. Pleasant Point Reservation teaches Passamoquoddy as
a heritage language.
The Portland Public Schools Office of Multilingual also offers workshops to assist ESL
educators to find more ways to better serve their students. FMI (207) 874-8135
2. Bayside World Market and Fair:
June 12, 2010 at Portland High school in Portland, Maine. Contact Jennifer at: jls@ceimaine.org
3. Old Port Festival:
June 13, 2010 in the Old Port in Portland, Maine.
4. Aserela of Maine: A Sudanese group in Maine who are trying
to build more schools in Southern Sudan. The feast is being hosted at Guild Hall at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception
at 307 Congress Street Portland, Maine 04101. Tickets, $20.00 individually, children are $10.00 or $200 dollars for a table.
Proceeds from this event help Aserela Maine continue working in the most forgotten parts of the community. for reservation
contact, Robert Ochira 207-774-3314 or e-mail Ochira12@yahoo.com.
November 2009Respectfully submitted by: Nancy Kelly and Shelly Chasse-Johndro, Regional Representatives
Auburn ELLs are Writers
The students in Mrs. Hyland's ELL writing class have been published. The memoirs that
eleven students worked so hard on in the spring of 2008 have paid off. A book titled "They Were Very Beautiful, Such
Things Are" has been printed and is being sold at www.booklocker.com. The book is over 400 pages and has memoirs from
four groups that participated in the project, lead by Bates College. All proceeds for the book will be donated to the Dadaab
Young Women's Scholarship Fund. The ELL writing classes will be working with Bates College again this spring to produce new
memoirs and publish another book hopefully in the fall of 2009. This is a great opportunity and students should be proud of
their hard work and accomplishments. Retrieved from the Auburn School Department (www.auburnschl.edu/education/district/district.php?sectiondetailid=1)
NECAP is new for Maine and our ELLs!
Maine has joined New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont in the yearly development
and administration of the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP). This assessment is used by participating states to
meet No Child Left Behind Act requirements for testing reading and mathematics once each year from grade 3 through grade 8.
The states also include a writing assessment administered at grades 5 and 8. The first NECAP administration in Maine begins
in October 2009. Retrieved from the Maine Department of Education Comprehensive Assessment System (www.maine.gov/education/lsalt/necap/index.html)
Culturally Responsive Practice: Current Training Series
A series of cultural competency trainings to school-based
social workers, counselors, clinicians, and other community service providers who work with children and adolescents and their
families so that they can provide services that incorporate respect, cultural sensitivity, and cultural empowerment. Workshops
titles are: Communicating Effectively Across Cultures, U.S. School Experiences of Refugee Children from Africa, The Role of
Linguistic and Cultural Competence in Health Disparities, Cross-Cultural Mental Health Care, Young Men of Color: The Obama
Factor, Cross-Cultural Healing Traditions, Bridging Cultures: Reaching Common Ground with Diverse Clientele, and Caring and
Empowerment Across Communities: Key Learnings. Retrieved from the Multilingual and Multicultural Center of Portland Public
Schools. (www.portlandschools.org/schools/multilingual/index.html)
Translated H1N1 Information
As H1N1 continues
to spreads, schools are focusing on prevention and containment. The US Department of Education has a wealth of resources to
offer at http://pandemicflu.gov/professional/school/. Maine is also in the process of translating all documents related to
H1N1 to make sure ALL have access to the important information. The poster asking people to cover their cough and clean their
hands is available for download in seventeen languages. The poster is available at www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/dtopics/infectioncontrol/cover/gen/index.html.
Monthly ESL Teleconference Call
The Maine department of Education ESL/Bilingual Program office hosts’ monthly
teleconference calls for Maine ESL professionals. The teleconference calls were created to better meet the needs of ALL Maine
ESL educators and English Language Learners. For more information, please contact the Gail (susan.gail.funtsch@maine.gov)
with the ESL/Bilingual Office at or visit www.maine.gov/education/esl/conferences.htm.
ESL Professional Development
WebEx (Webinars)
The Maine Department of Education ESL/Bilingual Office is offering ESL Professional Development webinars.
There will be a five-part (December, January, March, April and May) webinar entitled, How ACCESS for ELLs® levels play
out in the classroom, free of charge. For more information, please contact the Gail with the ESL/Bilingual Office at susan.gail.funtsch@maine.gov.
ACCESS for ELLs® - Test Administration
The ESL/Bilingual Program office is hosting ACCESS for ELLs® -
Test Administration Training in Orono and Saco. The introductory morning session is geared for individuals who are unfamiliar
with administering the ACCESS test while the advanced afternoon session is for individuals who have experience in administering
the test. The Maine Department of Education is also offering a full day of training for administering the W-APTTM (WIDA- ACCESS
Placement TestTM). Educators measure the English language proficiency of students who have recently arrived to the U.S. or
a particular district with this assessment tool, known as the “screener”. It can help to determine whether or
not a student is in need of English language instructional services. For more information, please contact the Gail with the
ESL/Bilingual Office at susan.gail.funtsch@maine.gov.
2010 FLAME (Foreign Language Association of Maine) and ESL
Conference
Mark your calendars! You do not want to miss the 2010 FLAME / ESL Conference on March 4-5, 2010 at the Holiday
Inn by the Bay in Portland, Maine. The pre-conference entails registration, a reception, a wonderful keynote address and exhibits.
The workshop sessions, on Friday, will address current topics and issues in world language education and ESL. Exhibitors will
display textbooks and other materials. Visit www.umaine.edu/flame/ for more information.
Friendly Reminder about
Lending Libraries in Maine
The Multicultural Resource Library was created to meet the needs of cultural and linguistic
minority populations as well as the people who work with them and wish to learn more about them. The library is unique in
the State of Maine. It has a special collection of books, materials, and videos in 24 different languages appropriate for
a range of ages and levels of reading fluency. The collection includes sections on Native American, African-American, women,
and immigrant/refugee populations new to Portland, as well as instructional books and professional materials related to cross-cultural
understanding and teaching English Language Learners. Individuals and community groups have donated some of the materials
in the library. We continue to welcome donations of books and videos, especially those in a language other than English. Books
and materials are available on loan to staff, parents, and other community members. (Retrieved from the Portland Public Schools
Multilingual and Multicultural Center www.portlandschools.org/schools/multilingual/preK12/library.html).
Project Opportunity
maintains a small lending library for use by education professionals in the Orono area and college students in teacher preparation
programs at the University of Maine. Resources available range in topics such as Assessment & Standards, Culture &
Society, Grammar, Listening, Speaking & Pronunciation, Reading, Reading & Writing, Teaching, Theory & Practice,
Vocabulary and Writing. Additional resources are also available through Folger Library (www.library.umaine.edu/). Visit www2.umaine.edu/projectopportunity/Library.htm
for a complete list of available resources.
September 2009
Respectfully submitted
by Nancy Kelly and Shelly Chasse-Johndro, Maine Reps
Fall Courses at the
University of Maine Systems
Project Opportunity is offering two fall courses
through the University of Maine (UMaine). The courses are: Methods: The Teaching of English as a Second Language and Curriculum
and Development in ESL/EFL Context (online). The University of Southern Maine (USM) is offering a number of ESL courses such
as Aspects of Reading for Multilingual Readers; Aspects of the English Language,
and Principles and Practices for Teaching English Language Learners.
NECAP is new for Maine and our
ELLs!
Maine has joined New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont in the yearly development and administration of the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP). This
assessment is used by participating states to meet No Child Left Behind Act requirements
for testing reading and mathematics once each year from grade 3 through grade 8. The states also include a writing assessment
administered at grades 5 and 8. The first NECAP administration in Maine begins in October 2009. Retrieved from the Maine Department
of Education Comprehensive Assessment System (http://www.maine.gov/education/lsalt/necap/index.html)
Translated H1N1 Information
As
H1N1 continues to spreads, schools are focusing on prevention and containment. The US Department of Education has a wealth
of resources to offer at http://pandemicflu.gov/professional/school/. Maine is also in the process of translating all documents
related to H1N1 to make sure ALL have access to the important information.
Auburn
ELLs are Writers
The students in Mrs. Hyland's ELL writing class have been published.
The memoirs that eleven students worked so hard on in the spring of 2008 have paid off. A book titled "They Were Very
Beautiful, Such Things Are" has been printed and is being sold at www.booklocker.com. The book is over 400 pages and has memoirs from four groups that participated in the project,
lead by Bates College. All proceeds for the book will be donated to the Dadaab Young
Women's Scholarship Fund. The ELL writing classes will be working with Bates College again this spring to produce new memoirs
and publish another book hopefully in the fall of 2009. This is a great opportunity and students should be proud of their
hard work and accomplishments. Retrieved from the Auburn School Department (www.auburnschl.edu/education/district/district.php?sectiondetailid=1)
ESL Professional Development WebEx (Webinars)
The Maine Department of
Education ESL/Bilingual Office will be offering ESL Professional Development WebEx (webinars). The WebEx (webinars) are free
of charge. For more information, please contact the ESL/Bilingual Office at 207.624.6716 or susan.gail.funtsch@maine.gov.
ACCESS for ELLs® - Test Administration
The ESL/Bilingual Program office is hosting ACCESS for ELLs® - Test Administration Training in Orono and Saco.
The introductory morning session is geared for individuals who are unfamiliar with administering the ACCESS test while the
advanced afternoon session is for individuals who have experience in administering the test. The Maine Department of Education
is also offering a full day of training for administering the W-APT™ (WIDA-ACCESS Placement Test™). Educators
measure the English language proficiency of students who have recently arrived to the U.S. or a particular district with this
assessment tool, known as the “screener”. It can help to determine whether or not a student is in need of English
language instructional services. For more information, please contact the ESL/Bilingual Office at 207.624.6716 or susan.gail.funtsch@maine.gov.
2010 FLAME (Foreign Language Association of Maine) and ESL Conference
Mark your calendars! You do not want to miss the 2010 FLAME / ESL Conference on March
4-5, 2010 at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland, Maine. The pre-conference entails
registration, a reception, a wonderful keynote address and exhibits. On Friday the workshop sessions will address current
topics and issues in world language education and ESL. Exhibitors will display textbooks
and other materials. Visit the website for more information (www.umaine.edu/flame/)
June
2009
Respectfully submitted by Maine State Representatives: Nancy Kelly and Shelly Chasse-Johndro Summer Courses at the University of Maine Systems
Project Opportunity is offering four summer
institutes through the University of Maine (UMaine). The summer courses are: Multiculturalism and Diversity in ESL/EFL Content;
Methods: The Teaching of English as a Second Language; Curriculum and Development in ESL/EFL Context; and Applied Linguistics
and Second Language Acquisition in ESL Content. For more information, please contact Rebecca Sawyer at Rebecca.sawyer@umit.maine.edu
or Shelly Chasse-Johndro at shelly.chasse@umit.maine.edu. The University of Southern Maine (USM) is offering a number
of ESL courses such as Aspects of Reading for Multilingual Readers; Linguistics and Cultural Diversity in the Classroom; ESL:
Language Testing and Assessment. To view course listings, please visit http://www.usm.maine.edu/reg/dsis/ or contact USM at 207-780-4141. ESL Professional Development WebEx (Webinars)
The Maine
Department of Education ESL/Bilingual Office offered two (2) ESL Professional Development WebExs (webinars). In 2009 Don Bouchard
presented on “Academic Language and Literacy for ELLs” and “Strengthening Academic Content Literacy for
ELLs”. The webinars have been achieved on the Department of Education, English Language Learners, State of Maine website.
The webinars were free of charge and are available at http://www.maine.gov/education/esl/esllinks.htm to view the session
and/or download the presentation. For more information, please contact the ESL/Bilingual Office at esl.doe@maine.gov Volunteer Opportunity Make It Happen! is a program for English Language Learners in Grades 7-11 providing personalized
and structured academic and social support to ensure success in undertaking rigorous and challenging academic work that will
prepare them for college. Our target students come from countries all over the globe such as Afghanistan, Cambodia, China,
Democratic Republic of Congo, El Salvador, Mexico, Serbia, Somalia, Sudan, and Vietnam. Make It Happen! is looking for volunteer
academic coaches who have a genuine desire to be part of young peoples' lives by helping them pursue their interests, succeed
in school, and achieve their goals. The Portland Public School Multilingual and Multicultural Center will provide volunteer
orientation and training on an ongoing basis. (Retrieved from the Portland Public Schools Multilingual and Multicultural Center
website: www.portlandschools.org/schools/multilingual/volunteer.html If you are interested in volunteering for this exciting
project or would like more information, please visit this website.) Friendly Reminder about Lending
Libraries in Maine
The Multicultural Resource Library was created to meet the needs of cultural and linguistic
minority populations as well as the people who work with them and wish to learn more about them. The library is unique in
the State of Maine. It has a special collection of books, materials, and videos in 24 different languages appropriate for
a range of ages and levels of reading fluency. The collection includes sections on Native American, African-American, women,
and immigrant/refugee populations new to Portland, as well as instructional books and professional materials related to cross-cultural
understanding and teaching English Language Learners. Individuals and community groups have donated some of the materials
in the library. We continue to welcome donations of books and videos, especially those in a language other than English. Books
and materials are available on loan to staff, parents, and other community members. (Retrieved from the Portland Public Schools
Multilingual and Multicultural Center website: www.portlandschools.org/schools/multilingual/preK12/library.html. Please visit for more information.) Project Opportunity maintains a small lending library for use by education professionals
in the Orono area and college students in teacher preparation programs at the University of Maine. Resources available range
in topics such as Assessment & Standards, Culture & Society, Grammar, Listening, Speaking & Pronunciation, Reading,
Reading & Writing, Teaching, Theory & Practice, Vocabulary and Writing. Additional resources are also available through
Folger Library (www.library.umaine.edu/). For a complete list of available resources or more information please visit www2.umaine.edu/projectopportunity/Library.htm. September 2008
Respectfully submitted by Nancy Kelly and Shelly Chasse-Johndro, Maine Reps
ACCESS Training at No-Cost
The ESL/Bilingual Program
office is hosting ACCESS for ELLs® Administration Training state-wide from Presque Isle to Saco. The introductory
morning session is geared for individuals who are unfamiliar with administering the ACCESS test while the advanced afternoon
session is for individuals who have experience in administering the test. Educators measure the English language proficiency
of students who have recently arrived to the U.S. or a particular district with this assessment tool, known as the “screener”.
It can help to determine whether or not a student is in need of English language instructional services. For more information,
please visit www.maine.gov/education/esl/conferences.htm.
Introduction to Bilingual and ELL Special Needs Assessment
The Maine Support Network is providing an introduction to the Bilingual
Verbal Ability Tests (BVAT) in Bangor, Maine. This workshop is designed to provide educators with reliable, valid, nationally-normed
instruments to assess the language proficiency of bilingual and ELL students. The BVAT does not replace the annually
administered ACCESS for ELLs© but does offer a way to combine a student’s knowledge in both English and native
language to provide a fairer estimate of total verbal ability.
Two-Day
Workshop for Title III Districts
The Maine Department of Education is offering
a two-day workshop at the Samoset Resort in Rockland, Maine on October 21-22, 2008. Each school district that holds a Title
III grant is invited to comprise a team consisting of an ESL teacher, a mainstream teacher, an administrator, and other vital
members of ELL student success. The two-day workshop task is to dialogue in small groups brainstorming strategies that will
enable our ELL students to increase their performance on the yearly ACCESS test.
NEW - ESL Professional Development WebEx (Webinars)
The Maine Department of Education ESL/Bilingual Office will be offering ESL Professional Development WebEx (webinars). Don
Bouchard will be the presenter for the free of charge WebEx (webinars), which will take place monthly starting in November.
For more information, please contact the ESL/Bilingual Office at esl.doe@maine.gov
Grassroots
Attempt for UMA
Currently, at the University of Maine at Augusta there is no
academic support earmarked for second language learners. Due to the fact that this community-based campus is attracting
more and more of the language learner population, a few local educators are looking into the process of writing a grant to
establish a financial base for hiring ESL tutors. The deadline for the grant application is September 30th, 2008 so more information
will be forthcoming in the next newsletter.
2009 FLAME (Foreign Language
Association of Maine) and ESL Conference
Mark your calendars!
You do not want to miss the 2009 FLAME / ESL Conference on March 12-13, 2009 at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland, Maine.
The pre-conference entails registration, a reception, a wonderful keynote address and exhibits. On Friday the workshop sessions
will address current topics and issues in world language education and ESL. Exhibitors will display textbooks and other materials.
Visit the website for more information (www.umaine.edu/flame/)
May 2, 2008 1st Foreign Language Association of Maine (FLAME) and ESL Conference
Since the Maine ESL Network disintegrated last year, Maine was left with no state ESL/Bilingual conference. The
Foreign Language Association of Maine (FLAME) was approached to explore the option of having a joint conference with a few
ESL workshop sessions. The FLAME advisory board and the conference committee embraced the ESL community and allowed
ESL workshop sessions and a business meeting to take place within the FLAME conference. The conference, “We Continue
to Light the Way,” was March 6-7 in Portland. Workshops, Workshops and more Workshops:
The
Department of Education ESL/Bilingual Office has been offering ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode – video conferencing)
ESL Professional Development workshops. The free workshops are offered once a month (February to June) from 3:30-5:00
p.m. The discussion topics include: Scaffolding Learning: What is it? How is it done?; Lesson delivery options to overcome
English language content barriers; and Contextual factors affecting Ells’ academic success. For more information
please contact the ESL/Bilingual Office at esl.doe@maine.gov
Project Opportunity is also offering two workshops in May.
The May 9th workshop is entitled "The Changing Face of Maine: What is the Impact on Maine Schools?" The
workshop is designed to show the demographic changes of student populations in Maine and discuss the impact these changes
have on school systems. The presenter will provide information about requirements and resources to be able to provide
appropriate services to English Language Learners (ELLs). On May 16th, Project Opportunity is offering a
Praxis II® Preparation Workshop in Portland. The workshop will examine and provide an overview of the test categories.
We will also discuss how to prepare for the test and a few study tips will be offered. For more information on either one
of Project Opportunity’s workshops, please contact Rebecca Sawyer at Rebecca.sawyer@umit.maine.edu or Shelly Chasse-Johndro at shelly.chasse@umit.maine.edu
The Multilingual and Multicultural Center in Portland is offering Professional Development Opportunities with
Don Bouchard. This academic year’s focus is on aspects of teaching to English Language Learner (ELL) population
to help impact their learning in a positive manner. For more information on these workshops, please contact The Multilingual
and Multicultural Center at 207-874-8135. Summer Courses at Higher Institutions in Maine
Project Opportunity is offering four one-week summer institutes through the University of Maine (UMaine). The summer
courses are: Methods: The Teaching of English as a Second Language; Multiculturalism and Diversity in ESL/EFL Content; Testing
and Assessment in ESL/EFL Context; and Applied Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition in ESL Content. For more information,
please contact Rebecca Sawyer at Rebecca.sawyer@umit.maine.edu or Shelly Chasse-Johndro at shelly.chasse@umit.maine.edu The University of Southern Maine (USM) is offering a number of
ESL courses such as Aspects of Reading for Multilingual Readers; Linguistics and Cultural Diversity in the Classroom; ESL:
Language Testing and Assessment. To view course listings, please visit http://www.usm.maine.edu/reg/dsis/ or contact USM at 207-780-4141. Thomas College in Waterville
is tentatively offering Diversity & Multiculturalism for Educators in the Summer II courses schedule. Summer II
courses begin on Monday, July 7 and end August 25. More information will be available after May 5. Portland
Public Schools Multilingual and Multicultural Center From www.portlandschools.org/schools/multilingual: "The Multilingual and Multicultural Center oversees Portland Public Schools' English Language Acquisition Program for
students whose home language is not English." On March 7, the Center hosted the third annual Rock Around the
World fundraiser, featuring dancing, hors d’euvres and a silent auction of multicultural goods and services.
On May 10, the Center will conduct “Who am I? – Literacy Celebration” for more information, visit http://www.portlandschools.org/schools/multilingual/events/literacy.html or call 207-874-8135. ***
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