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RBERN at a career fair in Wayne County
CTE ELL student in nursing assistant program
Educators at Ganondagan learning about Indigenous culture
Teacher and students with cascarones
Teachers attending professional development
Various students at mock assembly in Albany through PRHYLI
CTE ELL student in nursing assistant program
teachers with music instruments
Mock assembly PRHYLI Albany, NY
Student cracks cascarones
CTE student cosmetology
Students and teacher with cascarones
PRHYLI students 2023 at banquet
Teachers and students in classroom
teachers at workshop
PRHYLI proclamation at Monroe County Legislature
Trauma and Resilience PD
CTE ELL student in automotive
Students at book signing
Boy with candy
PRHYLI students 2024 in Albany for mock assembly

Mid-West RBERN

NYSESLAT 2025 - Requesting, Shipping and Storage of Materials


The Office of State Assessment has released a memo concerning the procedures for ordering and storing NYSESLATs. Principals should be receiving an email (if they haven't already) from Metritech with instructions.

NYSTESOL Conference - Rochester, NY November 15-16, 2024

Voices United Conference - October 24, 2024

This event will provide New York State educators and administrators with a one-day professional development opportunity to strengthen theoretical and practical knowledge to implement high-quality academically rigorous instruction for English Language Learners (ELLs).

Featuring keynote speaker Dr. Ayanna Cooper, author of And Justice for ELs: A Leader’s Guide to Creating and Sustaining Equitable Schools.

Opportunity: M/WBE Certification Info Sessions


Mid-West RBERN is offering consulting sessions to help assist local minority and women-owned businesses obtain NYS M/WBE certification hosted by long time M/WBE certified consultant, Ann Delehant. This is a great opportunity to grow and expand your business by becoming state certified. Please reach out for more information 585-352-2790 or [email protected]

Welcoming Future Educators with Diverse Immigrant Backgrounds-Perspective of a Mentor Volunteer

Nicole Bell had the privilege of guest blogging for Childhood Education International to share her experience as a mentor to immigrants interested in the field of teaching. 
More +

New Coordinator Announced

We are very happy and excited to announce the next Coordinator at Mid-West RBERN: Nicole Bell

Nicole has been very active and impactful since arriving at Mid-West RBERN in 2019, including holding a position on the NYSTESOL Executive Board and receiving her advanced degree, Ed.D in Education Leadership from Molloy University. Many of you know Nicole as the leader and facilitator of many courses and workshops, such as NYSITELL and NYSESLAT trainings, collaborations with WFL BOCES and GV BOCES, leading the Latino Literacy Project and work with numerous other groups advocating for the education of English Language Learners. She has also led professional learning sessions at both NYSTESOL and NYSABE.

Nicole has proven to be a supreme team player who goes beyond the norm for helping her colleagues succeed at meeting their goals. Please join us in welcoming Nicole Bell to her new leadership role.

Transition in the Mid-West RBERN Office

Dr. Sabrina Nudo has announced her departure from Mid-West RBERN. We wish her all the best as she says, "See you soon." Rather than "Goodbye," she takes on a new position at our sister RBERN in Syracuse. Sabrina sincerely appreciates the opportunity to collaborate with the wonderful Mid-West RBERN region and thanks everyone for all they do for our multilingual learners.

The next few months will be full of transition and new possibilities. Meanwhile, we wanted to remind you that our office is business as usual, and the four specialists and our outstanding administrative support are here to support your ELL & bilingual education needs. Please see the graphic below as a starting point for technical assistance, and reach out if you have any questions.

Mid-West RBERN Technical Assistance

News

Dr. Thomas Putnam

Dr. Thomas K. Putnam named Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES District Superintendent

The Monroe 2-Orleans Board of Cooperative Education selected Dr. Thomas K. Putnam, Ed.D. as district superintendent and officially appointed him to the position on June 26.
More +
NYSED

Updates on the 2024 NYSESLAT Administration

The NYSED Office of State Assessment has issued a memo dealing updates that apply to the 2024 administration of the NYSESLAT. 
Highlights include: 
-Separation of grade bands 1 and 2: Grade 2 will remain the same as the prior grade band 1-2 but grade 1 will take a test specifically designed for students in that grade. 
-Spring 2024 and Spring 2025 NYSESLAT will be paper based. 
-NYSESLAT & NYSITELL will transition to computer based testing in spring 2026

More +
NYSED

Letter from Commissioner Betty Rosa

As New York welcomes large numbers of migrant communities into our communities, some districts have raised concerns about their ability to accommodate swelling enrollment and the need for greater English-language-learner resources. A letter from Betty Rosa, Commissioner of Education and President of the University of the State of New York, is a reminder that all children and youth ages 5 to 21 have the right to free, public school education, regardless of immigration status, language proficiency, or whether the student is living in a shelter, migrant camp, or other temporary housing. 

More +
NYSED

Memo from Elisa Alvarez, Associate Commissioner of Bilingual Education & World Languages at NYSED

Communities across New York state are experiencing an influx of recently arrived and asylum-seeking students and families. This memorandum from Associate Commissioner of OBEWL provides important information for LEAS regarding the ELL ID Process according to Part 154. 
More +

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About

 The goal of Mid-West Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network (RBERN) is to assist districts and schools in creating an educational environment for English Language Learners (ELLs) which engages everyone in meaningful teaching and learning.

RBERN Events

Dec
10

New Part 154 ELL Coordinator Meeting

New ELL Coordinators are welcome to join us, as they can, for monthly meetings covering everything related to English Language Learners and bilingual programming and placement, CR 154 policy, testing, family engagement, equitable instruction and much more. This group will serve as a community of support for those navigating and supporting this subgroup of students. Seasoned ELL Coordinators are also welcome to join as they see topics of interest. Meetings will be held virtually, each month. 

Dec
10

Trauma & Resilience Community of Practice

"Trauma is real. Trauma is prevalent. Trauma can be toxic to the brain and can affect development and learning in a multitude of ways. Schools must be prepared to support students who have experienced trauma" (Souers & Hall, 2019). Trauma affects mental, physical, emotional and social well-being. This PD series will focus on the effects of trauma, with a specific lens on English Language Learners and newly arriving immigrants. This community of practice will take actionable steps to increase resilience by forming connections, creating predictable routines, and improving emotional regulation skills both in ourselves and in our classrooms. 

PLEASE NOTE: THERE ARE 5 MANDATORY PARTS & A VARIETY OF DATES TO CHOSE FROM:
1. 12/10/24 - IN PERSON 9AM - 3PM
2. CHOOSE ONE: 1/7 (In-person) 3pm - 5pm OR 1/8 (online) 4pm - 6pm
3. CHOOSE ONE: 1/28 (In-person) 3pm - 5pm OR 1/29 (online) 4pm - 6pm
4. CHOOSE ONE: 2/25 (In-person) 3pm - 5pm OR 2/26 (online) 4pm - 6 pm
5. 3/12/25 IN PERSON - 4pm- 6pm

Dec
16

ENL Teacher Coffee Talk

An informal, bimonthly zoom session for secondary ENL teachers. Teachers will engage in facilitated conversation related to instruction, assessment, advocacy, resource sharing and parent and family engagement. Zoom link will be sent to registrants prior to the first meeting. 

Jan
13

Developing a Multi-Tiered System of Support for ELLs

In 2018, the Office of Special Education Programs released a series of 4 briefs from Project ELITE, Project ELLIPSES and Project LEE titled: Meeting the Needs of English Learners With and Without Disabilities. These briefs focus on the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework for the language and learning needs of ELLs and highlight the key questions and considerations that educators often encounter when implementing tiered instruction for our bi/multilingual learners. Join us as we explore the process of creating a MTSS for ELLs. Participants will have time to review the briefs and discuss possibilities for creating a MTSS for their school, district or classroom. Participants will meet twice on zoom and complete a portion of the work asynchronously prior to the final meeting date.

Jan
14

New Part 154 ELL Coordinator Meeting

New ELL Coordinators are welcome to join us, as they can, for monthly meetings covering everything related to English Language Learners and bilingual programming and placement, CR 154 policy, testing, family engagement, equitable instruction and much more. This group will serve as a community of support for those navigating and supporting this subgroup of students. Seasoned ELL Coordinators are also welcome to join as they see topics of interest. Meetings will be held virtually, each month. 

Jan
15

Students with Interrupted Formal Education (SIFE) Q&A

Are you new to SIFE? Do you have questions about instruction and/or programming to meet the needs of SIFE? Join Mid-West RBERN for a 1.5-hour SIFE Q&A. We will provide technical assistance and resources to help you meet the needs of SIFE in your district. Come to the sessions that work for you. The zoom link will be sent to registrants on the morning of the meeting. 

Jan
15

Wayne Finger Lakes ENL Collaborative

This collaborative will meet bi-monthly for facilitated conversations and resource sharing opportunities for topics related to ELL curriculum and instruction, advocacy for ELLs, parent and community engagement and other similar topics.

Jan
17

Seasoned Part 154 ELL Coordinator Meetings

Seasoned Part 154 ELL Coordinators (those who have been in the position for more than a year) are invited to join us as they are able for bimonthly meetings. Agendas will be steered by coordinator needs and questions and there will be a space for an open forum. 

Jan
23

New York State Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB) Network

The purpose of the New York State Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB) Network is to discuss best practices, share resources and effectively plan for the implementation of the NYS Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB) in schools and districts across the Mid-West Region. A focus on how ELLs and non-ELLs can earn the NYSSB. Meetings are designed to support new and existing districts offering NYSSB interested in a refresher/relaunch. Topics include but are not limited to: Getting Started and Recruitment, Deadlines, Culminating Project Presentations and Student Recognitions. Registered participants will receive a Zoom Link for the series 24 hours prior to the start of the first meeting.

Jan
30

Bilingual Educator Collaborative

Please join us for an affinity group around Bilingual Education. The aim of this Professional Learning Community for leaders of bilingual or dual language programs is to share resources and collectively solve problems to ensure equitable access to education for bilingual students. Reading material for professional growth will be provided between sessions. The sessions are open to leaders of bilingual and dual language programs in the Mid-West Region. Zoom links for the entire series will be sent to registrants 24 hours prior to the first meeting. Note: Meetings are held from 10am - 11am with additional time provided for reading material. Please register and attend the sessions that fit your schedule. Registration closes on September 24th. 

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