With conferences coming up this month, it is a good time to think about how we are connecting with the families of our ELL students. As you are working with families of ELLs, remember that the cultural norms for school interaction are often different than traditional American culture. What may look like apathy or disengagement to some may actually be a different understanding of what educational support looks like. We'd be hard-pressed to find a family of ELLs who did not care about their child's education. Many immigrant families come to the U.S. looking towards a better future, including great education for their children. Barriers may come in the form of language, transportation, cultural differences, and childcare. How can we pull our ELL families in, break these barriers, and include all families in our school community? (Ideas credited to valentinaesl.com; read more here!)

Before conferences, you might consider sending home a letter that explains what conferences are. Some families might think a conference means they or their child did something wrong, and this is your chance to clarify the intentions of a conference. Here is an example in English and Spanish. You could also share this link with families, which includes the same tips and can be translated to Spanish at the top.

Think outside the box when it comes to scheduling and location. One teacher held conferences in a food court where many of her students' parents worked. Another scheduled a manicure at a nail salon where her student's father worked in order to discuss options for college. (Read more here!) Of course, check with your building principal and be sure you are in a situation where you feel safe when conducting conferences off school premises.

Translators for conferences should be coordinated at the building level. If outside translation is needed, contact Maria McIntyre (ELL Secretary). She handles all hired translators and can help you arrange what you need. Here are some tips for making the most of a translator:

• Consider scheduling back to back conferences for families with more than one child that will need to use the translator.
• If you are able to meet at a time other than the district conference night, it may be easier to secure a translator. (And you can earn parent contact hours!)

If possible, it is best to avoid having a student translate. Sometimes, students may have more school-based language in English than in their home language, making translation difficult. Additionally, students may be less inclined to share news that they think their parents may not be excited to hear.

One question we often hear from parents is whether speaking in their native language at home is detrimental to their student's English language learning progress. Nicole McBee, ELL Teacher at Apache Elementary, shared a document she uses with families, available in both English and Spanish. This handout was created by a bilingual speech pathologist and includes research-based myths vs. facts to share regarding bilingual language development. Find a copy here.

Of course, communication with families is not limited to conferences. We often find that the emails or newsletters we send home as teachers are not the most effective way of communicating with our ELL families. This might be due to language or cultural barriers. Here are some ideas to break those barriers.

These ideas from Colorín Colorado will help you create an environment that is welcoming to all families, including families of ELL students:

• Make sure parents know how to get into the building, especially if doors are usually locked during the school day.
• Post signs in multiple languages.
• Display student work on the walls.
• Display student and family photos on the walls.
• Display the maps and flags of your students' native countries.
• Display a large map in the front lobby where parents can mark their native countries with a pin.
• Enlist a bilingual morning greeter to welcome students and families.
• Ensure that your bilingual staff and volunteers are visible throughout the building.
• Include bilingual books in the school library and classrooms.
• Consider playing music in the front entryway or lobby.

For more ideas from Colorín Colorado on connecting with ELL families, click here.

You may feel overwhelmed or helpless trying to reach out to families whose home language is not English. Talking Points is an amazing resource to help you connect will all families from your class.

In a nutshell, Talking Points is a messaging system that will automatically translate your message to a family's home language-there are many languages to choose from! The family will receive the message in their preferred language and their reply to you will automatically be in English. There's no copy and paste from Google needed!

Why should you start utilizing Talking Points?

• Builds relationships
• Increases family engagement
• Counts toward family contact to log for your flex day

Check out this slideshow that includes an overview of Talking Points, getting started, FAQs, and a few things to keep in mind.

Talking Points is now available for all staff iPads in Manager.

- Michael Soto, ELL Teacher at Nieman Elementary

Consider asking parents to write a letter telling you about their child's personality, interests, strengths, and anything else they think she should know. Not only does this establish a relationship with the parent on a positive note, it can help gather useful information that can have a significant impact in the classroom, such as indications of a child's illness or a recent divorce.

To hear a teacher talk about the benefit of using this strategy with all students, as well as with her ELLs, watch this brief YouTube playlist.

Every week of lessons in Open Court has a Home Connection letter, which includes the Big Idea, information about the reading selection, vocabulary words, phonics focus, and language arts skills. Help parents engage with their students' learning by sending these home each week; they're available in English and Spanish.

Our ELL iCoach Amy Culey created an implementation guide for hosting bilingual and multilingual family engagement events. You can find a video of Amy explaining the process, as well as tools for planning, ideas, and modifications for more specific populations.

Email: amyculey@smsd.org
Phone: 9139934062

Email: katherinehearn@smsd.org
Location: https://maps.google.com/?cid=17740544643128892125
Phone: 913-993-4208
Twitter: @mrshearn512

Below is a menu of ways the ELL iCoaches can support you and your building. Reach out to Katie or Amy for more information or to set up a meeting.