Parents & Families Newsletter

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We are excited to share this edition of the Parents and Families newsletter just as spring is arriving! This season is a time of new growth and fresh energy, making it a great opportunity to check in on your child’s learning and celebrate the progress they have made this school year. This is also a great time to reconnect with your child’s goals and stay engaged in their learning as they continue to grow. As the school year begins to wrap up, it is also a helpful time to reflect on what is working well and think about how to continue supporting your child in the months ahead.

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

• STAAR Assessments and end-of-year learning opportunities

• Navigating the TXEL’s T3 Series Archive and Regional ESC Contacts

• Tips for increasing your child’s soft skills

• Graduation Requirements from the TXEL Student Resources Page

Thank you for all that you do to support your child through their language development.

Sincerely,

Emergent Bilingual Support

The Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) measures how emergent bilingual students are growing in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English. Results help teachers know how to best support students’ language growth and development. Encourage your child to get plenty of rest and attend school daily during the testing window. Contact your child’s teacher to find out which days your child is testing.

Many districts begin registering students in the spring for summer learning opportunities, such as bilingual or ESL enrichment programs, reading academies, or extended learning sessions. These programs are designed to help students strengthen academic skills and stay engaged while school is out. Contact your child’s school to find out what is available, who is eligible, and how to sign up.

As the school year comes to a close, schools often host events that highlight student learning and provide resources for families. These may include reading nights, take-home learning packets, or tips for practicing English at home. These activities are meant to support learning beyond the classroom and help families stay connected to their child’s progress. Check your school calendar so you don’t miss these helpful opportunities.

Being bilingual helps the brain in important ways that support students in school and in everyday life. Research shows that learning and using more than one language can strengthen working memory. Working memory helps the brain hold information, stay focused, and make decisions.

When your child chooses which language to use or thinks about the right words to say, this part of the brain gets more practice. Over time, this practice can improve attention, flexible thinking, and confidence. Being bilingual is not only a way to communicate. It also helps support your child’s growing brain now and in the future.

The T3 Series gives schools and families a chance to hear directly from experts across Texas. These sessions share information that helps you find services and resources to support your child’s success in the areas of parent, family, and community engagement.

• Parent engagement sessions help parents learn about the education system and the services schools offer. These sessions support student learning and language development.

• Family engagement sessions provide families with tools and resources they can use at home to support their child’s academic growth and language learning.

• Community engagement sessions build connections outside of school. These sessions include community organizations that help meet the needs of emergent bilingual students and their families.

To view past sessions, visit the T3 Engagement Series page and click the Recordings button at the top of the page. Families You can watch recordings of past sessions in English and several other languages.

Texas has 20 regional Education Service Centers, also called ESCs. These centers help school districts support students and families. Each ESC works with local schools to provide training, guidance, and support for programs such as bilingual and ESL services.

On the TXEL portal, parents and families can find a map that shows which ESC serves their area. The portal also lists the name and contact information for the person who leads bilingual and ESL programs in each region. A link to the regional program page is included as well.

To find this information, click Quick Links at the top of the page and select ESC Contacts.

Your regional bilingual and ESL contact can help answer questions about your child’s language services. They can explain what support your school should provide and connect you to additional resources if you need more help.

Question-based games that ask children to think about different situations and share how they feel or what they might do help support reflection and discussion. Questions may focus on friendships, school, family, or personal goals. There are no right or wrong answers, which helps your child feel comfortable being themselves. You listen, ask follow-up questions, and share your own answers to build trust and connection.

Question-based games that ask children to think about different situations and share how they feel or what they might do help support reflection and discussion. Questions may focus on friendships, school, family, or personal goals. There are no right or wrong answers, which helps your child feel comfortable being themselves. You listen, ask follow-up questions, and share your own answers to build trust and connection.

You can play during family game night, before bedtime, or whenever you have a few minutes together. Regular check-ins through play help your child feel heard and valued. Over time, these small moments of connection can strengthen and help your child feel more supported at home and beyond.

Games like Word Chain and Hangman are easy ways to build vocabulary and practice spelling. These games help children think about how words are formed while keeping learning playful and engaging.

Encouraging your child to keep a journal gives them a chance to practice writing and express their thoughts. Even a few sentences a day can help strengthen language skills and build confidence.

Have each family member tell a short story, either real or made up, during dinner or at bedtime. This activity supports listening, speaking, and creativity and does not require any materials.

These simple activities can fit into your daily routine and provide meaningful support for your child’s language and learning at home.

Getting ready for college and future jobs is not just about grades and tests. Students also need soft skills, which are behaviors and personal qualities that help them work well with others and help them manage themselves in everyday life. Examples of soft skills include adaptability, grit, and creative thinking. Strong language skills play a big role in building these abilities.

Soft skills help students succeed in many parts of life. Being able to explain ideas, listen to others, and think through challenges helps students do better in school and feel more confident in new situations. These skills are important for college, careers, and everyday life.

When children read, write, speak, and listen, they practice thinking in new ways. Using language helps them share ideas, understand different points of view, and find creative solutions to problems. These experiences build flexibility and strong communication.

Families can support these skills by encouraging conversation, reading together, and letting children talk about their thoughts and goals. Even simple activities like telling stories or discussing the plans for a school project can help children build the language and thinking skills they need for their future.

As the school year continues, your involvement in your child’s education remains one of the most powerful ways to support their success. Even small moments at home, such as talking about their day, reading together, or asking encouraging questions, can make a meaningful difference in their learning and confidence. These everyday connections help strengthen skills, build motivation, and show your child that their education matters.

Your support at home works hand in hand with what happens in the classroom and helps create a strong foundation for growth. Thank you for the time, care, and encouragement you give your child each day.

Before you go, 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.

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