English Language Learners
Contact Information
Michele Bryant, Director of Academic Support Services
661-387-7000
EL Coordinator
Translator - Spanish
Translator - Spanish
661-387-7000
Maria (Paulina) Cadena
Lead EL Instructional Aide
Translator- Spanish
661-387-7000
Multilingual Updates Newsletter and the Multilingual Parent Newsletter
The Multilingual Parent Newsletter (formerly known as the Distance Learning Parent Newsletter) is available in English, Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Traditional Chinese, and Vietnamese.
Multilingual Parent Newsletters- California Department of Education
Requesting Language Acquisition Programs
Requesting Language Acquisition Programs
The California Education for a Global Economy (CA Ed. G.E.) Initiative is a voter-approved state plan to ensure that all children in California public schools receive the highest quality education, master the English language and access high-quality innovative and research-based language programs that prepare them to fully participate in a global economy.
The CA Ed.G.E. Initiative authorizes school districts to establish language acquisition programs for both fluent English speakers and English Learners, and requires school districts to solicit parent and community input in developing language acquisition programs.
Parents/Guardians may choose a language acquisition program that best suits their child. Norris School District offers Structured English Immersion program for all English learners. Structured English Immersion is a language acquisition program for English learners in which nearly all classroom instruction in provided in English, but with a curriculum and a presentation designed for pupils who are learning English.
The CA Ed.G.E. Initiative authorizes school districts to establish language acquisition programs for both native and non-native English speakers, and requires school districts to solicit parent and community input in developing language acquisition programs. A response from the LEA is required when the parents of 30 pupils or more per school, or 20 pupils or more in any grade in a school, request a new language acquisition program. (EC Section 310[a].). Parents interested in establishing a new language acquisition program at a school may request a new program by providing a written request to the Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Michele Bryant, at the NSD district office or complete the attached Google Form.
LANGUAGE ACQUISITION REQUEST FORM
If you need assistance in making a written request, please call the district office, and an appointment will be scheduled to assist.
Please provide the following in the written request:
- School Name
- Student Name
- Current Grade Level
- Parent/ Guardian Name
- Phone Number
- Indicate all languages spoken by the student
- Name the Language Acquisition Program Requested and the Requested Language
- Sign and Date
The district shall conduct an analysis to determine the feasibility, costs and resources necessary to implement a new language program.
Michele Bryant
Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Norris School District
(661)387-7000
CANVAS TRAINING VIDEOS
Canvas Training for Parents (English): Norris English Training
ELAC English Learners Advisory Committee
ELAC meeting dates are posted on each school's web page.
Requirement
Each California public school with 21 or more English learners must form an English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC).
Responsibilities
The ELAC shall be responsible for the following tasks:
- Advising the principal and staff in the development of a site plan for English learners and submitting the plan to the School Site Council for consideration of inclusion in the School Plan for Student Achievement.
- Assisting in the development of the school-wide needs assessment.
- Ways to make parents aware of the importance of regular school attendance.
- Each ELAC shall have the opportunity to elect at least one member to the District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC). Districts with 31 or more ELACs may use a system of proportional or regional representation.
Composition Requirements
Parents or guardians of English learners shall constitute at least the same percentage of the ELAC membership as their children represent of the student body.
Elections
The parents or guardians of English learners shall elect the parent members of ELAC. Parents or guardians of English learners shall be provided the opportunity to vote in the election.
Training
ELAC members shall receive training materials and training which will assist them in carrying out their required advisory responsibilities. Training shall be planned in full consultation with committee members, and funds from appropriate resources may be used to meet the costs of providing the training to include costs associated with the attendance of members at training sessions.
Legal References
- California Education Code, sections 35147, 52176(b) and (c), 62002.5, and 64001(a)
- California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Section 11308
ELAC English Learners Advisory Committee Nomination Form
ELAC English Learners Advisory Committee
Nomination Form 26/27 Coming Soon!
Dear Parents and/ or Guardians,
The Norris School District is now seeking nominations for for the parent members of ELAC for the following school sites: Bimat Elementary, Veterans Elementary, Olive Drive Elementary, Norris Elementary, and Norris Middle School. This is a one-year term, beginning in August 2024 and ending in May 2025.
The Norris School District is now seeking nominations for for the parent members of ELAC for the following school sites: Bimat Elementary, Veterans Elementary, Olive Drive Elementary, Norris Elementary, and Norris Middle School. This is a one-year term, beginning in August 2024 and ending in May 2025.
The ELAC serves the students and the school by:
*Advising the principal and staff in the development of a site plan for English learners and submitting the plan to the School Site Council for consideration of inclusion in the School Plan for Student Achievement.
*Advising the principal and staff in the development of a site plan for English learners and submitting the plan to the School Site Council for consideration of inclusion in the School Plan for Student Achievement.
*Assisting in the development of the school-wide needs assessment.
*Ways to make parents aware of the importance of regular school attendance.
*Each ELAC shall have the opportunity to elect at least one member to the District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC).
*Ways to make parents aware of the importance of regular school attendance.
*Each ELAC shall have the opportunity to elect at least one member to the District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC).
Parent members of the ELAC are expected to:
- attend the 3-4 meetings via Zoom or in person at the school site
- learn about the SPSA through trainings and information shared at ELAC meetings
- represent EL parents in the neighborhood and community and actively participate in ELAC
- attend the 3-4 meetings via Zoom or in person at the school site
- learn about the SPSA through trainings and information shared at ELAC meetings
- represent EL parents in the neighborhood and community and actively participate in ELAC
The ELAC membership must include parents of English learners (ELs), but may also include other duly elected family & community members. The percentage of parents of ELs who are elected must be at least equal to the percentage of English learners at the school site.
If you are interested, please fill out this form and your name will be placed on a ballot for an election. If you are not interested, you do not have to continue with this form.
Parent ELPAC Resources
Student Scores and Results Resources
- CAASPP Starting Smarter website
- ELPAC Starting Smarter website
The Starting Smarter websites help parents understand student scores and reports, view sample test questions, and provide additional free resources to support your child’s learning.
- Understanding the Summative ELPAC Score Report—English (Video; 11:55) (Posted 09/15/21)
- Understanding the Summative ELPAC Score Report—Spanish (Video; 14:41) (Posted 12/01/21)
This video will walk viewers through how to understand a student’s Summative ELPAC Score Report. The video walks the viewer through the score report of a sample student describing the meaning of the information contained in each section.
Practice and Training Tests
- Practice and Training Tests web page
- Take an ELPAC Practice Test (PDF) (Posted 05/11/22)
This web page provides students guest access to practice and training tests. Select “Sign In” as a Guest User and Guest Session to take a practice or training test with your child. Select your child’s grade and choose a practice or training test for the following tests:
- Smarter Balanced English-language Arts or mathematics
- California Alternate Assessments for English-language Arts or mathematics
- California Science Test
- California Spanish Assessment
- English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC)
- Alternate ELPAC
District English Learner Advisory Committee
DELAC
District English Learner Advisory Committee
Each California public school district with 51 or more English learners must form a District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC) unless the district designates for this purpose a subcommittee of an existing districtwide advisory committee.
Responsibilities
The DELAC shall advise the school district governing board on at least the following tasks:
- Development of a district master plan for education programs and services for English learners. The district master plan will take into consideration the school site master plans.
- Conducting of a district wide needs assessment on a school-by-school basis.
- Establishment of district program, goals, and objectives for programs and services for English learners.
- Development of a plan to ensure compliance with any applicable teacher and/or teacher aide requirements.
- Review and comment on the school district reclassification procedures.
- Review and comment on the written notifications required to be sent to parents and guardians.
- If the DELAC acts as the English learner parent advisory committee under California Education Code Sections 52063(b)(1) and 52062(a)(2), the DELAC shall also review and comment on the development or annual update of the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP).*
Composition Requirements
Parents or guardians of English learners shall constitute the majority membership (51 percent or more) of the committee.
Elections
Each school's English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) shall have the opportunity to elect at least one of its members to be a site representative DELAC member. If the district has 31 or more ELACs, it may use a system of proportional or regional representation.
Trainings
School districts shall provide DELAC members with appropriate training materials and training which will assist them in carrying out their required advisory responsibilities. Training shall be planned in full consultation with committee members, and funds from appropriate resources may be used to meet the costs of providing the training to include the costs associated with the attendance of the members at training sessions.
Legal References
- California Education Code, sections 35147, 52062(a)(2), 52063(b), 52069, 62002.5, and 64001(a)
- California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Section 11308 and 15495(b)
* Under the LCFF, districts with at least 50 English learners and whose total enrollment includes at least 15% English learners must establish a DELAC, and that DELAC must carry out specific responsibilities related to the LCAP.
Wen invite all parents and guardians to attend the DELAC meetings.
District English Learner Advisory Committee Meetings for the 23/24 school year:
DELAC Meeting 1: November 16th, 2023 9:00 a.m.
DELAC Meeting 2: February 29th, 2024 10:00 a.m.
DELAC Meeting 3: May 9th, 2024 TBD
DELAC meeting dates, times and location will be sent out via ParentSquare at least 72 hours ahead of meeting. For more information, please contact the EL Department at 661-387-7000.