Parents and Families Newsletter

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Other languages are available through the S’more newsletter.

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Boletín informativo para Padres y Familias.

We are thrilled to welcome you to this month’s edition of the EB Parents and Families Newsletter! This resource is designed especially for parents and families of emergent bilingual students across our state. Whether your child is just beginning their bilingual journey or is already thriving in two languages, we’re here to support you with helpful tips, learning resources, and ideas to strengthen language development at home. Together, we celebrate the power of bilingualism and the important role families play in nurturing it every day.

Sincerely,

Emergent Bilingual Support

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

From September 15th to October 15th, we honor and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, recognizing the rich histories, communities, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. This is a special time to highlight the unique voices and traditions that shape our communities and inspire our students. We encourage families to share stories, music, food, and customs that reflect their heritage and help us all learn from one another.

The Association for Migrant Education is hosting its annual statewide conference on November 18-20, 2025 in Baytown, Texas. Parents, families, students, and educators will learn about important topics related to migrant families and hear from inspiring keynote speakers. Visit the AMET website for more information!

Being bilingual offers powerful advantages for high school students, both academically and personally. Research shows that bilingual teens often develop stronger problem-solving, multitasking, and critical thinking skills. These skills can lead to better performance in school and on standardized tests. Bilingualism also opens doors to college scholarships, global career opportunities, and meaningful cultural connections. As your child prepares for life beyond high school, their ability to communicate in more than one language is not just a skill—it’s a strength that sets them apart.

The activities shared in our “At-Home Learning” section, below, will help develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Check out past newsletters for different activities in this section as well.

Your child is developing language skills in at least two languages: your home language and English. Practicing in both languages is valuable, and continuing to develop your home language creates a strong foundation for English development. The suggested activities below can happen in any language. For more resources, go to the Supporting My Child page, then click on “Student Activities” on TXEL.org.

Don’t forget to visit txel.org/SupportingChild for more interactive educational websites.

Pick a household item (like a photo, toy, or kitchen tool) and ask your child to describe it in English—what it is, how it’s used, and why it’s special. You can take turns and even record short videos to practice pronunciation and fluency.

Practice at family gatherings, and your child will become more comfortable presenting information to a group.

Choose a favorite family recipe and help your child rewrite it in English. They can list ingredients, write step-by-step instructions, and even draw pictures. This activity builds writing skills while connecting language to real-life experiences.

Once your child is done, be sure to check it over to make sure they didn’t miss any steps in the preparation process.

Fastweb offers suggestions for each grade level to keep your child on track for college. Look at the list below and visit the Fastweb website to learn more.

Freshman:

• Work hard and stay attentive in class.

• Experiment with extracurricular activities and join one you're interested in.

Sophomore:

• Continue to work hard in class and stay committed to extracurricular activities.

• Get ready for the PSAT. Find out when it's scheduled and look for resources to practice.

Junior:

• Focus on the SAT and ACT. Take practice tests and read literary classics for examples to draw from in your writing prompts.

• Compile a list of colleges you're interested in. Be sure to include a variety--those that you will definitely be accepted to and those that are more challenging.

Senior:

• Perform better than ever in classes and lead extracurricular activities. Make campus visits and show them your high level of interest by sitting in on a class. Get applications organized and make sure you don't miss deadlines. They start as early as October.

As we move through the fall season, we want to thank you for your continued support and dedication to your child’s bilingual journey. Your involvement at home and in school makes a lasting impact, and together, we are building a strong foundation for academic success. We look forward to sharing more resources, celebrations, and learning opportunities with you throughout the year. Thank you for being a part of our bilingual community!

Don’t forget to fill out a quick survey to share any information or suggestions you might have for the next newsletter. We value 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