Bilingual program flourishs in the schools

    With the school hallways emptied out, there is still tasks and conversations to be done. The school board gathered on June 24 to discuss the bilingual and migrant program and formally dot their i's before new superintendent Tracey Beckendorf-Edou steps into Bill Motsenbocker's shoes for the upcoming 2019-2020 school year.
    Emily Ross, Peshastin-Dryden Elementary principal and Migrant and Bilingual programs director, presented the flourishing programs in an effort for the school board to approve the program again.
    "These are two different programs. Transitional Bilingual Instructional program and the Migrant program, they're completely separate," explained Ross.
    Beyond the students within the programs success, Ross emphasized the degree the staff that works within the two programs have hit milestones as well. She noted that it was the first year every school had an EL teacher to aid students and there wasn't heavy guidance from the director, which Ross says is a good thing.
    "This year that team really kept going without individual direction from me, which was really nice. We met together monthly and we coordinated and we planned, but they really let their feet do the work which was wonderful," said Ross.
    She also offered insight in the last year's success and explained the core elements of the program including how students are assessed for their improvement.
    "The students take this yearly assessment. Every year, any student who qualifies for this program needs to take this assessment," said Ross. "That includes those who sign do not be included in the instruction (from the program)."
    The students are tested     on listening, speaking, reading and writing in English yearly and the results are used to track the progression the student is making. There are three levels the students can be linked to: emerging, progressing and efficient. She reiterated the assessment is challenging, regardless of whether a student is well versed in the English language or not.
    "Our biggest amount of exiting (meaning they exit the program in the following year) students are here at Alpine (Lakes Elementary)," Ross. "80% of our exited students passed the Smarter Balance assessment which is really, really, really amazing."
    Ross also touched on what was in store for the program in the future. There is a Parent Advisory Committee incorporated She mentioned some new staff members, but despite some changes in that department, the dedication to the program will remain.
    "We are also one of the longest exited EL programs in the state. So it takes our students longer to exit the program, but once they do, they're solid. Really solid," said Ross.
    Ross also was eager to share the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration that racked in a lot of community participation and was a way to intertwine the students, culture and their growth in the program. This upcoming school year the celebration will fall on September 20. Overall, the program was given not only approval, but applauded for the work being done.
    "I have to give Emily some kudos. She has done more in her time here than we have probably done in 20 years," said Motsenbocker.
    Prior to the regularly scheduled school board meeting, there was a budget meeting where they discussed figures and formulas for how the fiscal end of things will unravel in the upcoming school year.

Other business:
- Three soccer enthusiasts approached the board about finding funding for middle school soccer, something they found imperative after a survey was conducted. The school board seemed receptive to their comments, but there is a lot of monetary and other matters to consider.
-  The board updated Leave Sharing policy and procedure for Cascade School District staff. Leave sharing, which is when staff can donate their sick leave to colleagues, is optional to Washington schools. Cascade opts in, therefore the state has certain rules to follow. Now several additional reasons for shared leave are permitted: domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and some others.
- The school board will start incorporating state standards into their self assessment.