It is not easy for a student to move into a new school district, especially when they do not speak the same language as other students.
The Cheney School District’s State Transitional Bilingual Instructional Program tries to help students who are English language learners. The district will get to do that once again after the Cheney School Board approved the annual I-grant application for the State Transitional Bilingual Instructional Program at its Sept. 9 meeting.
Last year the program served 131 students as English language learners. Forty-six of those students spoke Spanish, 42 spoke Russian, eight spoke Arabic and 35 were a combination of different languages that include those from Asia, Europe and Africa. This year the district has 109 ELL students, though Ryan Fitzgerald, K-12 options program coordinator for the district, expects that number to grow. ELL students make up 3 percent of total students in the Cheney School District.
The district currently has two certified ELL teachers on staff, Mary Sullivan and Lisa Wilcox. Sullivan taught many ELL students prior to the transitional program being established at Cheney. Fitzgerald said the reason for establishing the program is because of the growing need and students.
“The program is expanding and we like to think that people come to Cheney School District because they hear good things,” Fitzgerald said.
At the Sept. 9 meeting, school board president Henry Browne commended the work of Fitzgerald and staff for working with ELL students.
“To hear the school board president say that is pretty inspiring,” Fitzgerald said.
There are two ways the program helps ELL students. Staff uses Washington English Language Proficiency Assessment (WELPA) and English Language Proficiency Assessment 21 (ELPA21) tests to identify students in need of support. Sullivan said it takes an average 3-6 years for students to adapt.
“We try our best to meet where they are and be flexible,” Fitzgerald said. “Each student has a different background, needs and language proficiency levels.”
Sullivan and Wilcox also work with six para-educators: Pam Ogden, Karen Haight, Lori Cunningham, Marilu Bailey and LuAnn Heer-Weisgerber.
“We wouldn’t be able to meet the needs of the students without the para-educators,” Sullivan said.
“They are flexible, and compassionate and see what the students’ needs are on top of juggling their other responsibilities.”
The para-educators work with students one-on-one and in small groups during class. They’ll also work with them on the playground to make sure they are involved and making friends. Fitzgerald said other teachers, staff and counselors play a role in an ELL students’ development. Staff also encourages ELL students to participate in after school sports and activities.
“There’s something about sports that transcends the language barrier and they gain confidence,” Fitzgerald said.
The district has recently started using technology such as iPads and headphones, to provide students with more tools to help them succeed. According to Fitzgerald, many students who have success will typically stay and attend college in the United States.
“Sit down with any of them and you’ll be inspired by the stories and adversity they face on a daily basis,” Fitzgerald said.
Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.
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