Parents and Families Newsletter

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Boletín informativo para padres y familias.

Welcome to the Fall edition of the Parents and Families Newsletter! In this edition, you will find ways families can help students feel supported by staying connected with their school, encourage learning at home, and learn strategies for making time to listen and talk together.

In this issue, you will find more information on the following topics:

• Keeping your brain young by learning languages
• Helping your child feel heard through listening and conversation
• Trying simple learning activities at home in English and your home language
• Exploring TXEL resources about parental rights, attendance, and family support
• Learn about upcoming changes to TELPAS
• Finding ways to become involved in your child’s education, including serving as an LPAC parent member

Please take a moment to complete our quick survey and share your thoughts or suggestions for the next newsletter. We truly value and appreciate your input.

Thank you for all that you do to support your child’s education, language development, and success this school year!

Texas families can now apply for the Parent Access to Supplemental Supports (PASS) program. This new $400 online grant program helps eligible students strengthen their reading skills through high-quality literacy tutoring from approved tutoring services.

Eligibility:

• The student is currently enrolled in a Texas public school and
• The student scored "did not meet grade level" in reading on the 3rd grade state assessment.

PASS provides families with another valuable resource to support their child’s academic growth at a critical stage in their education. By giving more students personalized reading help, we can help more students build confidence, strengthen foundational skills, and stay on track for long-term success in the classroom and beyond.

As the new school year begins, make sure your child’s school has your current contact information and preferred language. In order to know what language services your child will receive, ask if the school offers a presentation or meeting that explains how their bilingual or ESL program works. If not, contact the campus bilingual coordinator to learn more about the services that are offered.

Questions to ask your child’s school:

• How will my child receive language support services during the school day?
• What can I do at home to help support my child’s language development?
• What extra support services can my child receive based on their current language level?

Being able to speak more than one language at an early age helps to keep the brain “young,” flexible, and healthy according to researchers at Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language in Spain.

The study looked at how the brain appeared when adults spoke anywhere from one to four different languages. It highlighted how each additional language that a person knows adds additional benefits. People who spoke two languages had brains that looked about six years younger than those who spoke one. Those that spoke four languages had brains that looked 13 years younger than those that spoke one language.

When you encourage your child to speak, read, and maintain your home language while learning English, you give their brain a daily workout that pays off for years. Keeping your native language alive at home does not slow down English learning. Instead, it builds stronger connections, improves memory, and gives your child a strong foundation for learning in both languages.

The TXEL Parental Rights in Bilingual Education page describes the important rights that parents and families of emergent bilingual students have in their child’s education. in an easy-to-use question-and-answer format.

Learn about your right to receive important school information in a language you understand, access school programs and services, and take part in decisions about your child’s bilingual or ESL program.

Regular attendance helps your child stay involved in learning throughout the school year. The Attendance page explains Texas attendance rules and answers common questions about absences, tardies, doctor’s notes, and other attendance concerns.

Families can also learn what steps to take when a child must miss school and why it is important to know their school’s attendance policy.

Visit both resources on the TXEL Portal to learn more and start the school year informed and prepared.

When your child is having a hard time at school or with friends, talking to someone they trust can help. But sometimes children do not want advice right away. They may simply want someone to listen.

The next time your child shares a problem, try asking: “Do you want advice, or do you want me to listen?” Giving your child this choice makes them feel heard and more comfortable sharing what is on their mind.

For bilingual children, it can also help to let them talk in the language that feels most comfortable. Feelings can be hard to explain and your child may know the right words in one language more easily than another. Focus on what your child is trying to tell you instead of correcting their language or how they say it.

If your child asks for advice, help them think through a few choices instead of telling them what to do. Build trust by asking questions and giving them time to decide what may work best. Over time, your child can become more comfortable talking about problems, asking for help, and finding solutions.

Need a fun way to connect with your child, learn more about each other, and celebrate your heritage? Try creating a family playlist and invite everyone to add songs they enjoy both in English and your home language.

As you listen together, ask your child why they chose certain songs. You might ask how a song makes them feel, what they like about the words or music, or whether it reminds them of a person, place or memory.

Songs in different languages can also help families talk about their backgrounds, traditions, and different types of music. Your child may notice that a song feels different depending on the language, rhythm, or meaning of the words.

Turn your next family drive into a simple learning activity. Instead of listening only to the directions from a navigation app, let your child help guide the way.

Ask your child to follow the map and tell you when to turn, which road to take, or how far you have left to go. They can give directions in English, your home language, or both.

This activity can help your child practice reading a map, giving clear directions, and learning more about the places around them. It also gives them a real-life way to use language and problem-solving skills.

For safety, have your child handle the map or device while an adult focuses on driving.

When your child asks to buy something or get permission to do an activity, turn the conversation into a learning opportunity.

Ask your child to make a case for why you should say yes. They can write down their reasons, include facts or examples, and explain why their request makes sense. Encourage them to organize their ideas before sharing them with you.

Your child can complete the activity in English, your home language, or both. This gives them practice with writing, speaking, and giving clear reasons to support an opinion.

Even if your final answer is still no, your child gets valuable practice explaining ideas and thinking about different points of view.

The TXEL Student Resources page helps high school students and families plan for life after graduation. The Post-Secondary Readiness page includes information about:

• Check out the calendar of preparation activities starting in 9th grade.

• Learn about trade school programs and careers

• Resume suggestions are useful for applying for college, a trade school, or a scholarship.

• Each Texas high school is required to fill out the federal student aid form (FAFSA), state student aid application (TASFA), or opt out.

• Find links to scholarships and learn more about where to find additional scholarship applications.

ApplyTexas is a website that makes it easier for students to search for colleges and complete applications. Students can use the site to apply to any public university or community college in Texas, as well as many private colleges and universities.

The website is not only for high school seniors. Transfer students can also use ApplyTexas to submit applications.

Students can explore schools and programs based on what they want to study. Once they find colleges that offer the program they are interested in, they can use ApplyTexas to begin the application process.

Texas Free College Application Week gives students a chance to apply to public colleges and universities in Texas for free.

October 12-18
Texas residents who submit an undergraduate application through ApplyTexas during this week will not have to pay an application fee. This includes first-time college students and transfer students.

Families can use this week as an opportunity to explore college options together and help students take an important step toward their plans after high school.

A strong school year begins with a strong connection between home and school. When families talk with teachers, ask questions, attend school events, and share important information about their child, students feel more supported and ready to learn.

Your role in your child’s education matters every day. Simple actions, like checking in after school, reading together, and staying connected with the school can make a big difference. As the new school year begins, we hope this issue helps your family feel informed, encouraged, and ready for a successful year ahead!

All of our Newsletters can be found on the Newsletters page on the TXEL.org website. Click through the past editions to find additional information and resources designed for you and your child.

Stay informed about the resources and support available by subscribing to TEA’s Txel.org web portal.

Click on the Subscribe Today!

TXEL.org is a web portal that provides information and resources that are relevant, accessible, and impactful to support educational leaders, teachers, parents and families, and community partners to ensure the academic success of the State’s emergent bilingual students.

Contact us at: https://www.txel.org/contact/

Email: EmergentBilingualSupport@tea.texas.gov

Visit: www.tea.texas.gov