San Leandro USD

English Learner Newsletter, Fall 2022: See what's happening in our multilingual programs!

SLUSD Communications Tuesday, Nov 15 at 10:00 AM San Leandro USD

Welcome to the fourth edition of the English Learner Newsletter! Here we provide our multilingual families with resources and information on English Learner (EL) programs. We also highlight how we foster multilingualism throughout our schools and diverse communities.

English Learner Master Plan

We are thrilled to share the newly updated English Learner Master Plan! This plan was developed in partnership with families and staff across all departments and school sites in SLUSD. The EL Master Plan demonstrates our values, commitment, and care to ensure our English Learner scholars achieve academic success and support on their journey to multilingualism. In this plan, you will find instructional programs and practices, pathways to biliteracy, and the district's procedures to provide rigorous instruction for our English Learner scholars. To see the plan click here or click on the image.
(click on the top right of the website for translation.)

Spotlight on Elementary

Moving into the sixth year of implementation, the Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program at Washington has reached 5th grade, and those students are actively embodying the program's goals. Students in Ms. Andrade’s and Ms. Torres’ classrooms are continuing to develop their biliteracy in Spanish and English, are maintaining high levels of academic achievement in all content areas, and are showing sociocultural competence. As one student writes, “Being bilingual is important for our future. It opens up more opportunities for different jobs and allows us to communicate with many different people. It also makes our families proud.”

5th graders are hard at work!

Spotlight on Secondary: SLHS SJA Latiné Heritage Month Celebration

On October 14th, the San Leandro High School Social Justice Academy (SJA) hosted the annual Latiné Heritage Month Celebration for all scholars and staff in the newly built quad at SLHS. With support from SJA teacher Erica Viray Santos, the SJA scholars spent a month organizing the event, which represented the diverse Latiné community from over 23 countries as well as groups within, including AfroLatinos and Chicanos. SJA scholars, with support from their families, prepared posters, traditional food and drinks, chalk art, and a music playlist that highlighted the identities and cultures of their communities. During the celebration, scholars and staff enjoyed music, dancing, food, and booths while learning from the scholars about the history and current events of the Lantiné community (sales from the food and traditional jewelry at the celebration went, in part, to Puerto Rican hurricane relief).

Three primary organizers, seniors Alberto Godoy, Veronica Turner, and Samantha Camargo Ortiz, shared their appreciation for the efforts of their fellow SJA peers and school community, who came together in solidarity to make the event a success. With more than half of SLHS comprised of Latiné students, the SJA scholars strive to bring awareness through events such as this, encouraging the school and district staff to build upon their efforts to increase the curriculum, course offerings, and staff that represent the Latiné community. Albero, Veronica, and Samantha urge the elementary and middle school communities to follow their lead, explaining, “students shouldn’t have to wait until high school to learn about themselves and their contributions throughout history.”

Latiné Heritage Month is one of many events the SJA hosts, in addition to Domestic Violence Awareness, Trans Awareness, and Indigenous Heritage Month, which they are actively involved in this semester. “Our students have a lot of knowledge and creativity and are excited to bring their talents together for these events,” the SJA scholars shared.

SLUSD Celebrates Day of the Dead

Staff, students, and families across SLUSD honored loved ones with beautiful altars. Dia de los Muertos takes place each year on November 1st and 2nd and is celebrated in Mexico and Central America with multiple festivities and traditions to remember and honor loved ones who have died. One middle school student who contributed to the “Ofrenda” shared that her family includes artifacts to the altar that their deceased family member loved. This can include food, drinks, clothing, musical instruments, and pictures. She added: “It is a time to remember and share stories about those we love and lost.” The traditional flower, called flor de cempasuchil, or marigold, paves the path for the dead to reunite with the living during this time, the deceased souls follow the path back to the altar, which makes the family feel close to them. Check out the altars below:

Secondary World Languages Pathway Night

SLUSD hosted a World Language Pathway Night on October 26 to inform parents about the language learning opportunities starting in middle school. Students can take Spanish at both Bancroft and Muir. This year we are excited to share that Muir has added a Mandarin Course for beginners! At San Leandro High School, students can take different levels of Spanish, French, and Mandarin. We are dedicated to supporting and growing multilingual scholars as they thrive in their community and the global economy. Click here to see the information that was shared.

Academic Support

Free Online Homework Help

The California State Library provides free online tutoring for California K-12 students, available through public libraries. Through HelpNow, live real-time homework assistance is available 24 hours a day by laptop, tablet, or phone from qualified tutors using state curriculum and standards. Live tutors fluent in Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, and Tagalog are available from 10 am to 10 pm seven days a week. There’s no age limit to who can use the service. Adult learners can also access writing assistance, citizenship resources, and other tools. Click here anytime for homework help.

Digital Bilingual Books, Games Songs:

Footsteps2Brilliance is an early literacy and biliteracy solution that provides California families free access to interactive digital eBooks, songs, and games in English and Spanish. Families and caregivers of young students can access the Footsteps2Brilliance digital bilingual educational resources starting today by going to the Footsteps2Brilliance California Bilingual Early Literacy Initiative web page.

Get involved!
You can help plan and support English Learner programs at your child’s school by joining the next English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) meeting. This is a great way to learn about multilingual programs and advocate for multilingual support. Get involved and get connected!

Questions from our Community

Let us know what you would like to see in future newsletters or parent learning series! We know you are the most important support for your child’s education, and we want you to have all the tools and resources you need.

Email us at communications@slusd.us.