• ESL Program Overview

    ESL (English as a Second Language) is a state mandated support service provided to help English Language Learners (ELLs) gain the necessary skills needed to be successful in the mainstream classroom. ESL instruction focuses on developing English language proficiency in all four-language skills: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing, while differentiating instruction with comprehensive input and hands-on, audio-visual, and kinesthetic activities.

    Upon enrollment to the South Hackensack School District, families receive a Home Language Survey (HLS) to begin the identification process. After review of the survey data, ESL teachers and the ESL Coordinator  decide if students should proceed to the next phase of evaluation called the Records Review Phase. Based on oral interviews with family/student and/or review of available documents (e.g., school records) by teaching staff, determines the need for using multiple indicators for identification. Identification criteria is based on the scores from the New Jersey-approved WIDA language proficiency assessments, such as WIDA Screener, WIDA MODEL, or W-APT (Kindergarten only) with a composite proficiency level below 4.5.

    ESL teachers work closely with students’ classroom and content area teachers to ensure all students’ needs are being met. ESL teachers pullout to help ELL students work on language development utilizing the New Jersey Student Learning Standards and the English Language Proficiency Standards in everyday instruction. The areas of daily instruction focus on different content areas such as Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies as well as social and instructional language.

    Classes meet in small groups each day using ESL methodologies to enhance students’ learning. It is the goal of the ESL program to give our ELLs the opportunity to grasp the academic, social, and cultural aspects of the English language to be successful students and members of the community. We value students’ different ethnic backgrounds and offer opportunities for all students to feel unique and successful. It is our pleasure to service this diverse group of learners! Please contact your student’s ESL teacher if you have any questions or concerns.


    ESL Teachers:

    Mary Gould, ESL Coordinator/Teacher

    mgould@shmemorial.org

    Lisette Vidal, ESL Teacher

    lvidal@shmemorial.org

    Links:

    ACCESS for ELLs

    English Language Learners (ELLs) resources

    Bilingual/ESL State and Federal Policy

    Please fill out and submit one of the following surveys. (mandatory for all enrolled & new students)
    Por favor de llenar esta encuesta que es obligatorio para cada estudiante matriculado en la escuela.