Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee 

D26 Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee

Meeting #4 ~ 5/14/24
Virtual

Presentation
Meeting Minutes

Meeting start time - 5:30 PM
In attendance - Natalie Hudson, Amy Ferguson, Ida Rodriguez, Martha Atanus, Dorota Citak,
Nancy Blitz, Sarah Hogan, Bill Timmins, Julia Sokolik, Aly Palicki, Kristy Seifert, and
parent/guardian participants (recorded on sign-in sheet)

1. Agenda and Norms
   1. Reviewed agenda for the evening
   2. Reviewed norms for the meeting
2. ML Student Rights 
   1. Free education regardless of immigration status
   2. Language support (i.e., ML programming)
   3. Access to grade level curriculum
   4. Equal opportunity for programs, including ACE, AP classes
   5. No questions from participants
3. ML Parent Rights 
   1. Option to opt-out of services as well as re-enter
   2. School communication in a language they understand
      1. Including but not limited to handbooks, report cards, parent-teacher
         conferences, and special education information
   3. Language translation/interpretation even if their child is proficient in English
   4. Requesting special education evaluations
   5. Schools cannot ask for proof of citizenship but can ask for documents including
      residency verification and date of birth
   6. No questions from participants
4. Parent Involvement 
   1. Group discussed what parent involvement meant
      1. Working together at home after school
      2. Modeling lifelong learning
      3. Continuing education in their home language
   2. Group discussed barriers and aspects of school that are unclear
      1. Many acronyms that are confusing if parents did not go to school in USA
      2. Different teaching methods compared to other countries
   3. Group discussed ideas for improvement
      1. Additional resources for home practice, such as a monthly focus, that
         helps students strengthen their reading, writing, speaking, listening
      2. Knowing the percentage of each language at each school and how many
         students are receiving ML services
      3. Educating families that participating in ML services does not exclude them
         from ACE classes (this is a rumor in the community)
         1. Ms. Seifert explained that many data points are considered for
            ACE programming. MAP scores are also a factor and she is aware
            that students’ English proficiency may impact their reading scores.
            The school team considers each student individually when making
            ACE recommendations.
      4. Educating families about passing the ACCESS test. Participants shared
         that some families opt-out because they heard their child will never test
         out of services.
         1. Ms. Seifert explained that many students begin passing the
            ACCESS test in the upper elementary grades (3rd, 4th, and 5th
            grade). The test becomes much more difficult at the middle school
            level.
      5. Educating families on ways to help their children prepare for the ACCESS
         test as well as showing examples of questions
      6. Summer programs or resources for continued language development
      7. Examples by grade level and language domain of expected development
         (i.e., what should a 3rd grader’s listening skills look like?) - this
         information can be updated on the district’s ML webpage
5. Planning for BPAC 24-25
   1. Group Discussed ideas for next year's meetings
      1. Monthly meetings - send survey for preferred day of the week and time
      2. In-person opportunities
      3. Break off into languages
      4. No meetings in May (too many other activities)
      5. More information about ACCESS testing
6. Next Steps
   1. All members will receive a survey about planning for next year
   2. All members will be emailed in August with next year’s BPAC information

Meering end time ~6:00PM

D26 Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee

Meeting #3 ~ 4/15/24
Virtual

Presentation Link
Meeting Minutes

Meeting start time - 5:30 PM
In attendance - Natalie Hudson, Ida Rodriguez, Nancy Blitz, Julia Sokolik, Martha Atanus, and
parent/guardian participants (5) (recorded on sign-in sheet)

1. Agenda and Norms 
   1. Reviewed agenda for the evening 
   2. Reviewed norms for hte meeting
2. Introductions
   1. New participants shared their names and purpose for attending the meeting
3. ACCESS Testing 
   1. Basics
      1. Acronym meaning
      2. What it measures
      3. Required by IL for all ML students, given yearly
   2. Importantce 
      1. Information about progress
      2. Helps decision-making at the student, classroom, and district level
      3. 300 students in D26 who completed this year
   3. Testing Administration 
      1. Described Proctoring at each grade level
      2. Parent asked if it’s done in small groups or individually - each student
         takes their own test, it’s done in a small group classroom so students can
         focus more easily/more quiet for the speaking portion
   4. Reports 
      1. Families receive paper copy the following fall
      2. Key components
   5. Proficency Levels 
      1. 1-6 for each of the 4 language domains
      2. Should not be compared across grade levels
   6. Breakdown of report sections
      1. Examples 
      2. Parent asked if having to take ACCESS test disqualifies student from
         being in accelerated/advanced classes. No - ACCESS is one piece of
         information and more information about the student’s skills would be
         considered.
4. Report Cards
   1. Will recieve a score for the 4 language domains
   2. Does not affect grade promotion or retention 
   3. Report card frequency by grade level
5. Input on District Spending
   1. Bilingual Service Plan & Title III Grant purposes
   2. Information included in the Bilingual Service Plan
   3. Vocabulary/acronym review
   4. D26 Bilingual Service Plan information
      1. Professional Development
      2. Parent Involvement
   5. Title III Grant information
      1. District spending breakdown  
   6. Grant application review 
   7. BPAC Input 
      1. Anything we're missing or could do differently? 
      2. Questions?
6. Next meeting: Tuesday, May 15th ~ 5:30-6:30 ~ Virtual
   1. Topics: ML Parent and student rights 
   2. Planning for next year
7. Inroduction of Chair Person
   1. Examples
   2. Parent asked if having to take ACCESS test disqualifies student from
      being in accelerated/advanced classes. No - ACCESS is one piece of
      information and more information about the student’s skills would be
      considered.

Meeting end time - 6:07PM

D26 Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee

Meeting #2 ~ 3/14/24
Virtual

Presentation Link
Meeting Minutes

Meeting start time - 5:30 PM

In attendance - Natalie Hudson, Amy Ferguson, Ida Rodriguez, Nancy Blitz, Julia Sokolik, Kristy
Seifert, and parent/guardian participants (6) (recorded on sign-in sheet)

1. Agenda and Norms
   1. Reviewed agenda for the evening
   2. Reviewed norms for the meeting 
2. Introductions 
   1. All participants shared their names and purpose for attending the meeting
3. D26 Multilingual Program Overview
   1. Vocabulary
      1. EL: English Learner
      2. ELL: English Language Learner
      3. ML: Multilingual Learner
      4. TBE: Transitional Bilingual Program of Instruction with bilingual certified
         teacher (Euclid - Spanish TBE, IG - Polish TBE, RTMS - Spanish TBE)
   2. D26 demographics
      1. Approximately 1,500 students in district
      2. 300 Multilingual Learners (MLs)
      3. 127 Recent Exits
      4. 44 Languages spoken in addition to English
   3. Program Purpose
      1. English proficiency cannot be seen as a prerequisite to meaningful
         participation in the core curriculum.
      2. Language must be viewed as something that is developed in the process
         of learning, when students are supported and have access to the richest
         curriculum our schools have to offer.
      3. All teachers share responsibility for both engaging all learners in the core
         curriculum and developing essential language skills.
   4. Entering and Exiting 
      1. Entry 

         1. Home language survey is completed upon registration

         2. If home language indicates a second language, an assessment of
            English language skills is given

         3. If a student’s score is below a certain threshold, language services
            are offered

      2. Exit
         1. Annually an ACCESS test is administered
         2. Students are assessed in listening, speaking, reading and writing
            in English
         3. If students score an average score of 4.8 students exit multilingual
            services
4. Best Practice Instructional Methods
   1. A. Multilingual teachers are trained in many instructional strategies to support
      language instruction in school
   2. Some services are provided in the classroom while some are provided in a
      pull-out, small group environment
   3. Examples of instructional resources are:
      1. Graphic Organizers 
      2. Sentence Starters 
      3. Visuals/pictures 
      4. Manipulatives
5. Bilingualism at Home
   1. Discussion: What are families doing to support bilingualism at home?
      1. Polish Daycare - St. Dominic’s Daycare (Camp McDonald and River
         Road)
      2. Polish Theater Group (Ms. Plewa) - Korean Culture Center Warsztaty
         Teatralne Little Stars - Agata Paleczny 773-580-1995
      3. Polish School (Wheeling)
      4. Polish Dance Group
6. Next meeting: Monday, April 15th ~ 5:30-6:30 ~ Virtual
   1. Understanding ACCESS testing/report cards
   2. Input on district spending

Meeting end time - 6:17 PM

D26 Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee

Meeting #1 ~ 2/12/24
Virtual

Presentation Link
Meeting Minutes

Meeting start time - 5:30 PM
In attendance - Natalie Hudson, Amy Ferguson, Ida Rodriguez, Martha Atanus, Dorota Citak,
Nancy Blitz, Sarah Hogan, Bill Timmins, Julia Sokolik, Aly Palicki, Kristy Seifert, and
parent/guardian participants (recorded on sign-in sheet)

1. Agenda and Norms
   1. Reviewed agenda for the evening
   2. Reviewed norms for the meeting
2. Introductions 
   1. All participants shared their names and purpose for attending the meeting
3. MAIN TOPIC: 4 things to know about BPAC
   1. What is it?
      1. Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC)
      2. Requirement for a district with 20 EL students of the same language
         1.  Spanish
         2. Polish
         3. Malayalam
         4. Korean
         5. Urdu
   2. Who is in a BPAC?
      1. Bilingual parents/guardians of students enrolled in EL program
      2. Teachers and other school staff
      3. Any district family is welcome to join
   3. What does a BPAC do?
      1. Represents the interests of EL students, parents, guardians, and
         community members
      2. Ensures the district recognizes these community voices and acts to meet
         their needs
      3. Advises and focuses on helping bilingual parents better understand EL
         programming
      4. Encourages involvement in the district
      5. Provides access to resources
      6. Strengthens investment in EL student outcomes
      7. Gives feedback regarding district spending
         1. Budgeting 
         2. Title Grants
         3. Bilingual Service Plan 
   4. Requirements
      1. 4 meetings per year 
      2. Records minutes 
      3. Autonomoudly carry out BPAC affairs 
         1. establishment of internal rules and procedures 
         2. election of officers
4. Parent Input 
   1. What do you want school to be like for your child? What would you like to learn to
      support your child?
      1. Learning more about assessment and English progress
      2. Learning how to maintain native language while supporting English
         development
5. Discussed opportunities for leadership roles
   1. Chairperson 
   2. Secretary 
   3. Other?
6. Next Meeting: Thursday, March 14th~ 5:30-6:30 ~ Virtual
   1. Topic: District 26 Multilingual Program Overview
   2. Instructional Approaches and Methods for EL students

Meeting end time - 5:59 PM