ELPAC NEWSLETTER

ELPAC: English Learner Parent Advisory Council

( https://www.doe.mass.edu/ele/families/elpac/ )

ELL: English Language Learner

FEL: Former English Language Learners

Here is the latest news for the EL, FEL, and our Multilingual community.

October 23, 2025

Mark the date. Fowler has it's Parent - Teacher Conferences. Please, Please sign up and to make an appointment with your child's teacher. We are offering remote meeting using Google meet and will have translation services available. It is important for you to meet your the teacher of your child. I will send out additional information as the day approaches.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AS A PARENT WITH A CHILD WHO HAS AN IEP WHO IS ALSO ELL. For November we are planning a conference for ELL / FEL parents who have a child with an IEP and or 504 plan. These are difficult waters to navigate on your own. As a district we are here to help. Stay tuned. This event will also be offered remotely and with interpreters followed by a question and answer session.

Get to know our ELL teachers here in Maynard

GREEN MEADOW

Hello, My name is Denise Lawton. I am one of the English Language Learner teachers at Green Meadow school. This is my fourth year as an EL teacher, however I have been with Green Meadow for 19 years. I was a former first grade classroom teacher before I decided to move to the EL teacher role. I enjoy spending time with my two adult boys Timmy and Bryan who are 23 and 25 years old. I live with my two sons, my husband Tim and my two dogs. I enjoy being outside, going to the beach and taking walks. I look forward to getting to know all of you.

Hi my name is Jessica Dennehy and I am one of the English Language Learner teachers at Green Meadow School. This is my fifth year at the school as I used to be a reading teacher for the Spanish Immersion classrooms. I am excited to be working with 2nd and 3rd grade this year as well as a few kindergartners. I have a 3 year old in Preschool at Green Meadow and an adorable dog named Nala. Me, my fiance, my daughter, and my dog live in Waltham and love going for hikes and spending time at the beach. I am excited for a new school year and look forward to meeting you in person/virtually at the ELPAC meetings.

FOWLER

Dear Families,

My name is Christine Willis, and I am the English Language Development teacher for 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade here at Fowler. This is the start of my third year at our school, and my 11th year teaching English. I’m so excited to be working with your child, most likely for the second or even third time!

This year, our class will focus on building and strengthening reading skills. Students will have access to a wide variety of books, whether from my personal collection, the school library, or the town library. Each student has a goal to read at least 10 minutes every night from a book they enjoy. This can be a book in any language, one they’re reading for the first time, or even an old favorite. The important thing is that they keep practicing because practice makes progress.

I am truly thrilled to be teaching your child this year, and I look forward to watching them grow as a reader and learner. Thank you for supporting their journey. I know it’s going to be a wonderful year!

Kindly,
Christine Willis

Hello to all my name is Emilio J Torres-Requena the kids know me as Mr. Emilio . This year I am teaching the 4th and helping some 5th and 8th graders. I'm also the Family Liaison for the district. Before being an ESL teacher, I worked as a boat captain and sailing instructor, restaurant owner, medical office manager and as a lawyer. I am native of Puerto RIco where I still have many friends and family. I am fluent in Spanish and have a decent understanding of Portuguese. My door is always open and anytime you have a question, concern or just a hello stop by or drop a message. It is an honor and a privilege to teach your children.

MAYNARD HIGH SCHOOL

Hello! I am Cathie Ricci and I'm the high school English Language Learner teacher. This is my fifth year in Maynard, and I feel very grateful to work with students learning English. I live in Worcester and love spending my free time cooking and walking around the city. I speak some Italian and French, and regularly use those languages to explore the commonalities of those of us who speak Romance languages! I look forward to meeting you at our next ELPAC meeting.

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Let us know.

This newsletter will be going out BI-WEEKLY to update you on upcoming events, important dates and news related to Maynard Public Schools. I may send out a quick newsletter to remind of important dates and events.

Some dates to keep in mind.

Here is the link to all the schools in the districts calendar.

https://www.maynard.k12.ma.us/events

Email: etorres-requena@maynard.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.maynard.k12.ma.us/o/fowler-middle-school

Fowler School
3 Tiger Drive
Maynard, MA 01754

Tel: (978) 897-6700
Fax: (978) 897-5737
Student absentee line: (978) 897-6753