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ENL parents learn information about NYSESLAT Exams at meet and greet and information session

ENL parents listening to presentation
ENL parents learn information about NYSESLAT Exams at meet and greet and information session

Parents of English as a New Language (ENL) students at Graham School visited the school on Wednesday for a meet and greet with Parent Liaison Veronica Graham and a New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT) information session.

 “The purpose of this meeting was to hold a meet and greet with our ENL families and the parent liaison, as well as to provide the families with information about the NYSESLAT exam, both the format and process,” said Sherry Solomon, ENL teacher at Graham. “Ms. Graham had a great idea of bringing our ENL families together for an event geared towards making them feel welcome in our school.  We decided to combine it with our annual NYSESLAT presentation, so our students’ parents could gain a better understanding of how to support their children academically.” 

Ms. Solomon and Erin Langton, who is also an ENL teacher at Graham, gave a presentation to explain testing expectations and procedures, and parents were given a NYSESLAT information brochure to take home.

Spanish and Arabic interpreters provided translation via Zoom, and a Haitian Creole interpreter translated in person. All parents were able to receive translated information to better prepare themselves and their children for testing. NYSESLAT testing will begin when students return from spring recess.

Ms. Graham also shared information about the Parent Resource Center and other supports and programs offered by the District. Another purpose for the meet and greet was to connect parents to other families who speak the same language and build the school community, making them feel welcome coming to Graham School. Parents shared how happy they were that they took the opportunity to attend the meeting.

“We were talking to one of the parents and she said that she has not come to any school events because she has been nervous about the language barrier, but she made herself come today, and she is so happy that she did,” said Ms. Langton. “She said it was the best decision of her life!”

ENL parents viewing presentation
Parents listening to presentation

 

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