Multilingual Newsletter May 2025
Multilingual Family Update
May 2026
Welcome to the final WB Multilingual Parent Newsletter for the 2025–2026 school year. This quarterly newsletter includes important and educational information for our multilingual Laker families.
Summer Parenting Tips for Student Success
Below, you will find suggested activities and tips to help prevent summer learning loss and support your child’s continued learning and language development throughout the summer.
Summer Reading
Encourage your child to continue reading and writing over the summer by visiting your local library and participating in reading activities and programs.
Visit the WB Public Library or your local library to sign up for an exciting Summer Reading Program!
IXL For Reading and Math Practice
Encourage your elementary school child to practice math skills over the summer by using IXL for just 20-25 minutes each day. To get your child's access account information, reach out to your child's classroom or ELD teacher. Click below for more information:
Aleks for Grades 6-11
For students in grades 6–11, encourage your students to practice with ALEKS, an online math program that provides personalized lessons and practice based on each student’s skill level.
Multilingual Learner's Spotlight & Student Voice
West Bloomfield Middle School
Sheiko and Gretchko
Our multilingual learners at Sheiko and Gretchko pictured below are using Connect, our new ELD curriculum resource, to build academic language skills through interactive and meaningful learning experiences.
Scotch Elementary
Scotch multilingual learners write about places and include clear topic sentences, details with verbs of being or having, and a closing sentence.
West Bloomfield High School
We are proud to highlight our multilingual learner, Angie Rodriguez, as she shares an original poem she wrote. Through creativity, voice, and language, our students continue to demonstrate their growth, talents, and unique perspectives. Click the link below to view the poem.
2026 Youth Assistance Recognition Awards
Congratulations to our students who were nominated for the Youth Assistance Award for their hard work, dedication, perseverance, and positive contributions to their school communities.
Click on the video below to watch the ceremony.
Michigan Seal of Biliteracy Recognitions
Congratulations to our WBHS students who received the Seal of Biliteracy from MDE and were recognized for their achievement during the Honors Senior Convocation on May 21, 2026.
Rohin Sharrow-Spanish
Patricio Ignacio Carreno Rodriguez-Spanish
Jordan Dyment-Spanish
Anton Tykholiz-Russian
Anton Tykholiz-Ukranian
Neissa Marcelin-French
Multilingual Parent Connections Night
Thank you to all of the parents and families who attended our Parent Connections Night. We had a wonderful turnout, and we are grateful to the many community organizations that came to support our families by sharing information about the services and resources they provide. Families also enjoyed fun cultural activities such as Japanese calligraphy, arts & crafts, and henna tattooing.
We would also like to extend a special thank you to our community partners for attending and supporting our families:
The Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce
West Bloomfield School District Mental Health Specialist, Ms. Rita Yousif
West Bloomfield Adult Education
Lighthouse Youth Organization
West Bloomfield Township Public Library
West Bloomfield Parks + Recreation Commission
May Cultural Celebrations
May is Multilingual Diversity Month
May is Recognized as Chaldean American Month
Michigan officially recognizes May as Chaldean American Month, honoring the rich history, culture, language, and contributions of Chaldean Americans across our state. Michigan is home to one of the largest Chaldean communities in the country, and we proudly celebrate the impact Chaldean families have made in education, business, healthcare, public service, and our local communities. We are grateful for the cultural and linguistic diversity our Chaldean multilingual students and families bring to our schools each day. (Chaldean Community Foundation)
Dr. Farqad Alfatlawy and Mrs. Darlene Bahri attended a multilingual engagement liaison meeting and educational field trip at the Chaldean Community Foundation. The visit provided educators and liaisons from Oakland Schools with opportunities to learn more about the Chaldean culture, community resources, and culturally responsive practices that support multilingual students and families.
Check out their website to get more information on the resources they provide to our community: https://www.chaldeanfoundation.org/state-of-michigan-officially-recognizes-may-as-chaldean-american-month/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Summer School Information
Invitations for elementary and middle school summer learning were individually sent to families whose students were recommended for participation. At the elementary level, registration has closed. For middle school and high school students, the registration window is still open. Please contact your child’s ELD teacher for assistance with completing the registration forms and for additional information regarding summer learning opportunities.
Community Resources
Mental Health/Wellness/Crisis Resources
ELD Staff - Reach out to us with any questions!
Hadeel Azzo
District ELD Coordinator
West Bloomfield School District
Farqad Alfatlawy
WB ELD Instructional Coach/ WBHS ELD Teacher
April Sanders
ELD Teacher-West Bloomfield High School
Jacqueline Tomaszewski
ELD Teacher-West Bloomfield Middle School
Jacqueline.Tomaszewski@wbsd.org
Jennifer Frankowiak
ELD Teacher-Sheiko
Nancy Goldstein
ELD Teacher-Doherty
Nancy.Goldstein.@wbsd.org
Salam Sesi Sana
ELD Teacher-Sheiko
Dana Finneran
ELD Teacher-Scotch
Rachel Sedmak
ELD Teacher-Gretchko
ELD Paraeducators
Hanan Sallan
Paraeducator-Arabic/Chaldean
Kaori Hagopian
Paraeducator-Japanese
Maria Aerdker
Paraeducator-Spanish & German
Darlene Bahri
Paraeducator-Arabic
Yuka Claboine
Paraeducator-Japanese
If you have any questions about this newsletter, please reach out to Dr. Farqad Alfatlawy at
