V.+Appendices

Appendix: Appendix : Sample Parent Letter (See below) Appendix: suggested Titles for Children's Literature (see below) Appendix:
 * Appendices** (in development - recommendations welcomed)

**Sample text for Parent Welcome Letter** (adapted from Newfoundland ESL Guidelines 2010)

**Welcome!**  Our school welcomes you and your child. We hope that your time with us will be rewarding and enjoyable. In the past, students who have joined our school with little or no knowledge of English have adjusted well to our school, made friends and learned English while continuing their educational development. Close c ommunication between the school and the home is important to your child's success. This handout has been written to help you understand the purpose of our English as a Second Language (ESL) support and its place within our school. You may contact any of our staff, including the principal, your child's classroom teacher(s), or ESL teacher, with any questions or concerns.

Parent-teacher meetings can take place whenever there is a need. It is essential to attend. Please make arrangements for an appointment through the office secretary if you would like to meet with one of our teachers.

What is ESL Support? ESL support is an additional school service provided to help your child succeed in school. ESL teachers work with your child to help him or her develop English language skills, cultural awareness and learning strategies to be successful in school.

ESL Support • ESL students may receive in-class support or go to an ESL class to learn English and receive support in class. • As their English improves, they will not receive as much ESL support. • At times the ESL teacher may work in the regular classroom with your child. • ESL students will participate in learning activities in the regular classroom right from the start. They must get involved in learning right away and always try to do their best.

How do I know how my child is doing in school? • Your child will be assessed to determine his/her progress in English. The ESL teacher  would be happy to talk to you about this. • Report cards go home in November, March and June. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 90%; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">• Parent-teacher conferences are held in the fall and spring. It is important to attend. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 90%; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">• Reports on student progress differ depending on the age of the learners. • <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">ESL learners often do not receive letter grades in the very early stages of English language learning. In this case, teachers give written comments. If you have any questions about the report card or how your child is doing, talk to your child's teacher.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 90%; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">How can I help my child? <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 90%; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">• Create a quiet place and a regular time to do homework and study. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 90%; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">• Talk to your child about what is happening at school in your own language. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 90%; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">• Encourage your child to show you all school work and the books he or she is using. • <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">Read with your child daily in both your language and in English if possible. • <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 90%; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">When your child is ready, ask your child to read to you. Talking about the pictures in the books <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">is also helpful. • <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">Learning in a new language takes lots of energy. Ensure that your child gets plenty of rest and has a healthy diet. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 90%; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">• Help your child find places to use English outside of school. Allowing your child to play with others is a good way to make friends and develop language skills. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 90%; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">• Be patient. Understand that learning a language well takes a long time.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 90%; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Schooling in British Columbia <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 90%; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">• Students must attend school. This is the law. Arriving on time is also important. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 90%; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">• Children learn in many different ways including playing games, singing, music, drama, art, working in groups and students talking with other students. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 90%; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">• Field trips to visit places outside the school are an important part of schooling. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 90%; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">• Homework is important. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 90%; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">• Teachers are happy to meet with parents.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 90%; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Should I use our first language with my child? <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 90%; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Yes! Speaking two languages is good for children. Speak the home language can help a child feel proud of his or her culture. Speaking about school work in English or in your home language can help your child think about <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">and better understand what was learned in school.

**Appendix : Suggested Titles for Children’s Literature (Newfoundland ESL Guidelines K-6, 2010)**

**The list of children’s authors is endless and growing. It is important that ESL teachers** **keep themselves abreast of publications. Classroom teachers and school librarians can** **be a great source of information.** **Many pattern books normally used in grades K-1 are an excellent resource for** **beginning English students. Wordless books are also a great way to develop language and address diverse needs.**

**The following is a recommended list to get started with ESL learners:** <span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">**