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Californians Together

Championing the Success of English Learners

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April is National Bilingual/Multilingual Learner Advocacy Month 2023

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The month of April is National Bilingual/Multilingual Learner Advocacy Month, a time to recognize the needs and achievements of bilingual and multilingual learners. Advocates and education systems should consider how to support these students best and ensure that all students have the necessary tools to receive a great education, regardless of their native language or country of origin. This is also a time for recognizing the unique needs of diverse language learners.

From early learners to newcomers of any age, advocates, educators, and policymakers must develop and leverage the appropriate tools, including new data collection, for supporting English language development while also creating a culture of respect for home language. During this month, we can commit to advocating for these students and their families. As part of this process, success should be celebrated. The Seal of Biliteracy, for instance, symbolizes the assets and skills of these students and serves as an important reminder of the immense value of multilingualism.

In honor of National Bilingual/Multilingual Learner Advocacy Month, here are some ways to get involved

  • Consider initiating and expanding biliteracy programs in your school/district
  • Creating Pathways to biliteracy beginning in Preschool
  • You can celebrate National Bilingual/Multilingual Learner Advocacy Month by purchasing our
    Seal of Biliteracy Medallions and publications.
  • Learn more about English learners and how to renew your commitment to celebrating and advocating for bilingual and multilingual learners.
  • Share our #NBMLAdvocacy social media toolkit.
  • Consider initiating and expanding biliteracy programs in your school/district
  • Creating Pathways to biliteracy beginning in Preschool

Check out the resources below for more information on multilingualism, bilingual education, newcomers, and finding student data. Californians Together has also created a social media toolkit that you can use to share these resources.

2021 EL ADVOCACY INSTITUTE 

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English Learner Advocacy Institute

November 11-14, 2021

Lodi, CA 

 

Applications are due July 31, 2021.  

Awards will be announced on or before August 15, 2021. 

Are you passionate about creating a more equitable education system for English learners? We’re looking for mid-career education professionals looking to learn new skills and learn about the legacy of EL advocacy in California. 

Californians Together invites applicants to an extraordinary, four-day professional development event for selected leaders and advocates for quality education for English Learners. This is a fully-funded event (materials, meals, lodging), with  support available as needed for transportation. Applications will be competitive, as capacity for the award is limited. 

The institute will be based on design and materials developed for the English Learner  Leadership and Legacy Initiative (ELLLI).  ELLLI aims to equip a new generation of EL education leaders with an historical perspective and practical skills to  further advocacy and action work at the local, regional and state levels on behalf of ELs and  their families. The Institute features some of the state’s top EL authorities. 

Institute Format: 

You will experience a four-day institute (noon Thursday 11/11 through noon Sunday 11/14)).  Participants must commit to attending all four days. 

The institute includes presentations, discussions, case studies, film and hands-on activities that  will further develop your understanding of the history and current context of EL education in  California. The Institute will provide participants with skills in planning and implementing advocacy  campaigns, and to connect advocates to a growing community of EL advocates within local regions and across California. 

WHERE: The EL Advocacy Institute will take place at the beautiful Wine and Roses Hotel located in the heart of the Central Valley  in Lodi, California. Californians Together will be provide on-site accommodations  in spacious double-occupancy rooms (single-occupancy upon request). Pool and exercise facilities are available. 

WHEN: Attendance is required at all daytime and evening events from noon, Thursday, November 11, through noon, Sunday, November 14, 2021.  

The most competitive applicants will have: 

  • Five or more years experience with EL education, in PreK-12 settings, institutes of higher education, or in community or advocacy organizations and...
  • Some prior engagement in leadership and advocacy for EL education (e.g.school, district, or county level, or non-governmental organization, and engagement in local CABE chapter). 

WHAT PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE: 

Attendance will be fully-funded for the most qualified individuals selected from among all applicants. Those admitted into the institute will receive all materials, *lodging (single occupancy) and meals during the institute, and be reimbursed for flights, mileage, and/or ground transportation up to  $300 each. Those who complete the four days will become ELLLI advocates, joining an expanding ELLLI community, along with veteran EL advocates in our efforts to impact state-wide policy and practice in fostering quality education for English learners. 

HOW TO APPLY:  caltog.co/3tFsEIH

All applications must be submitted online. No paper applications will be accepted. Application deadline: July 31, 2021

The 2021 EL Advocacy Institute has been made possible thanks to the generous support of  The Emerging Bilingual Collaborative, a project of the New Venture Fund, which includes: The Sobrato Family Foundation, The Heising-Simons Foundation, Silver Giving, and the California Community Foundation.  Additional support for this project has come from the Stuart Foundation, the ABLE fund, and scores of  individual donors.  

Californians Together is a statewide advocacy coalition of powerful organizations from all segments of the education community including: teachers, administrators, board members,  parents and civil rights non-profit groups. Our member organizations come together, united  around the goal of better educating the  1.1 million English Learners in California by improving our schools and promoting equitable educational policy. 

For more information, visit our website at: californianstogether.org or our ELLLI project page:  https://www.californianstogether.org/english-learner-leadership-legacy-initiative/

Questions? 

Please contact Ruth Barajas, Project Director, Californians Together ruth@californianstogether.org

One last Community of Practice before school ends!

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Centering English Learners in School Reopening
Register

Join us for a collaborative discussion about centering English learners in school reopening planning. Currently, local school districts are pivoting to planning for the upcoming school year. During this session, examples will be shared of how educators can ensure that reopening conversations and plans are equity-focused and prioritize the needs of English learners. Attendees will learn from lessons gathered and information shared through our Communities of Practice series and educator survey and from educators engaged in reopening planning conversations in their schools and districts. Breakout sessions will also provide all attendees with an opportunity to share how they are continuing the focus on serving English learners in their own context.

Alas y Voz Campaign: Regional Parent Convenings

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The Alas y Voz campaign will be conducting Regional Parent Organizer Workshops where participants will:

  • learn why advocating for biliteracy is so important for English Learners
  • become more familiar with the resources that the Alas y Voz campaign has created for parents to run a campaign in their community and ensure parents know how to choose or ask for bilingual programs in their community

CENTRAL VALLEY
Co-sponsored with Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE)
Thursday, November 8, 2019
10 am - 2 pm
United Way Fresno & Madera Counties
4949 East Kings Canyon Road, Fresno, CA
Register Here
Download  Spanish Flyer * English Flyer

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Hosted by San Mateo County Office of Education
Friday. November 8, 2019
10 am - 1 pm
San Mateo County Office of Education
Corte Madera Room
101 Twin Dolphin Dr.
Redwood City, CA 94065
Register Here
Download  Spanish Flyer * English Flyer

Last Chance! Trainer of Trainer Workshops: Lesson Plans to Support Immigrant Students

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Over the past year, Californians Together has partnered with local county offices of education to offer a one-day professional learning session on how to foster a safe and inclusive learning environment. Join us to gain resources we can all use to support our students socially, emotionally, and academically, including standards-aligned lesson plans, socio-emotional guide and resources to create “Safe and Welcoming Schools”.

This session may support LCFF Priority 6, AB699 implementation, State Social Emotional Guidelines, and Safe Haven Schools initiatives.

Intended audience:
District and county professional development staff, teacher leaders, English learner specialists and coordinators, Title I and Title III administrators and specialists, leadership teams from the district, county, or school site.

Tulare County Office of Education
Monday, February 4, 2019
8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Tulare County Office of Education – Redwood AB
6200 S. Mooney Blvd. Visalia, CA 93277
Register

Ventura County Office of Education
Thursday, February 14, 2019
8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Conference and Educational Services Center
5100 Adolfo Road, Camarillo, CA 93012
Register

Orange County (Anaheim UHSD)
Monday, February 25, 2019
8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Anaheim UHSD PDC Building
501 N. Crescent Way Anaheim, CA 92801
Register

Santa Barbara County
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
8:30 am – 3:00 pm
SBCEO Auditorium
Register

Los Angeles County
Monday, March 18, 2019
8:30 am – 3:30 pm
9300 Imperial Hwy, Downey
Registration coming soon