Growing Together
Multilingual Family Newsletter, March 2026 - Issue
Welcome 2026!
Dear CFBISD Families,
As we welcome the month of March, we are entering a season of focus and growth. Spring brings renewed energy to our classrooms, and across the district our students are building momentum in both language and academic achievement.
This time of year is about steady progress. Just as athletes train consistently to reach their goals, our students are strengthening their reading, writing, speaking, and thinking skills each day. Growth does not happen all at once — it happens through daily practice, clear goals, and encouragement from the adults who believe in them.
You can support this momentum at home by asking your child to explain what they are learning, encouraging reading in any language, and celebrating effort as much as results. These simple conversations build vocabulary, confidence, and a strong sense of identity.
Thank you for your continued partnership and for the trust you place in our schools. Together, we are creating powerful pathways for our students to thrive academically and linguistically!
With appreciation,
CFBISD Multilingual Department
Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD welcomes all students and is committed to fostering an inclusive and safe learning environment. We prioritize educating and protecting all children, regardless of immigration status.
If you have questions about your rights under Texas Education Agency (TEA) guidelines, visit TEA Resources for Families.
CFB families needing assistance can call 972-968-6149 or email familysupport@cfbisd.edu.
TELPAS Testing Window Opens Soon February 16 - March 27, 2026
Shortly after students return from winter break, the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) testing window will open. Emergent bilingual students are required to take the TELPAS every year, including students whose parents have declined bilingual or English as a Second Language program services.
TELPAS measures the progress students make in learning English from year to year. To help your student prepare, access the Texas Assessment Practice and Released Tests website. Here, your child can go through sample assessments by selecting “Practice Tests Login.” Practicing ahead of time can be especially helpful for students who are new to TELPAS or who feel anxious about testing. It also allows them to become familiar with tools used during the test, such as text-to-speech and other language supports.
Spring Break is a great time to relax as a family while keeping your child’s mind active with simple, fun activities that build listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
Family Recipe Fun:
Pick a favorite holiday recipe and cook it together. Read the steps out loud, listen for directions, and have your child help mix, count, or name the ingredients. Afterward, they can draw or write about their favorite part of cooking together.
Story Night:
Have each family member choose a short story, poem, or favorite book to read aloud. Take turns listening and asking questions about the story, then invite your child to write or draw a new ending to it.
Spring Reflection Journal:
Encourage your teen to keep a short journal during Spring Break. They can write about favorite memories, goals for the new year, or something they’re looking forward to. At the end of the break, have a family conversation where everyone shares one reflection.
Resource Center
The following educational websites are free resources that will help your child improve their English language skills.
Target: Grammar
Recommended Grade Levels: 5th-8th
Education.com offers a variety of games and activities for children from kindergarten through 8th grade.
Possessive nouns can be challenging for middle school students. Have your child play this game while learning!
Go to txel.org and select “At Home Activities.”
Find the Education.com link in the Middle School Section.
Once you enter Education.com, select your child’s grade level at the top of the page.
Select a game on a topic that interests your child and allow them to “play.”
Each lesson on this site helps support English language development which can help your child be confident in the classroom. We’re sharing “Putting Apostrophes in Possessive Nouns” as a starting point.
Target Skills: Listening Comprehension
Recommended Grade Levels: 3-12
This is a free collection of short current event videos with built-in quizzes to check for understanding.
Open At Home Activities on TXEL.org and scroll down to “High School”
Click on PBS Learning.
Select your child’s grade level at the top of the page.
Have your child select one of the 15-minute news videos and watch it.
Have a piece of paper and pen ready to write answers to the quizzes. (The answers are shown at the end of the video).
These games are a fun way to help your child practice the skills they need to be successful in school.
Don’t forget to visit txel.org/SupportingChild for more interactive educational websites.
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