Display case
Child with writing
Teachers at table
Teacher with signs wearing masks
Family at table
Students on laptops
Students at book signing
Boy with candy
Family eating pizza
Woman handing over book

Mid-West RBERN

A Message of Hope & Support In This Difficult Time

Hope
As educators we celebrate and honor diversity amongst our students and community. The tragedies impacting our neighbors around the world is devastating. Extending ourselves in a caring manner to each other and our students and families we serve is a united step toward healing in our current world crisis. If Mid-West RBERN can help in any way, please connect with us. We appreciate partnering with you to share resources. 

Dr. Sabrina Nudo

News

Student with parent at home using laptop

Every student needs home internet access

If you can’t afford the broadband service your student needs for success at school, the Affordable Connectivity Program may be able to help. Click here to see if your family qualifies for discounted internet service and up to $100 to buy a new laptop, computer or tablet.
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 +

Follow Mid-West RBERN on Social Media
Twitter

About

 The goal of Mid-West Regional Bilingual 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
05

New ELL Coordinator Meeting

This three-session series is for ELL Coordinators and Administrators that are new to supervising ENL instruction. Participants will discuss current issues and needs regarding ELLs/MLs in the Mid-West RBERN region, while networking with their peers. PD credit will only be granted to those who register and attend the meeting.

Dec
19

Title III Consortium: SIFE Best Practice Part 2

This PD is for the Midlakes, Seneca Falls, Canandaigua and Newark Title III participants. We will continue learning about best practices for SIFE. 

Dec
20

ELL Coordinator Meeting

This is a monthly ELL Coordinator Meeting to discuss issues and needs regarding ELLs/MLs in the Mid-West RBERN region. A zoom link will be provided a few days prior to the meeting. PD credit will only be granted to those who register and attend.

Jan
01

RBERN Reads 2024

Join MidWest RBERN in a virtual book club. We will be reading My City Was a Sparkling Jewel: Voices of Newcomer Youth from Afghanistan, the latest book published by Green Card Voice. This 10-hour book club will run from January 1-31, 2024. Discussions and course work will be completed via Schoology. The book club will culminate in a virtual book talk with publishers and student authors. Book will not be provided, must be purchased on your own.

Jan
08

Getting To Know The NYSESLAT

In this workshop, participants will discuss the New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT): Understanding the four subtests, the demands of the test and how to best prepare students without teaching to the test. Discussion will include activities to increase student success in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking and how to use NYSELAT results to inform instruction.  THIS MEETING WILL BE ONLINE VIA ZOOM. Registrants will receive the link the morning of the session. Please note: Participation in this workshop DOES NOT qualify you to administer the test. Knowledge is for instructional purposes.

Jan
11

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. 

Jan
11

Trauma & Resilience Community of Practice - Day 1

"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 need to 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 (ELLs) and newly arrived 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 register for one of the full day "Day 1" in-person events. 

Jan
16

World Language PLC for Administrators

This is a Professional Learning Community for administrators who oversee World Language instruction to create a support network and learn from each other's experiences and practices in managing the implementation of the new World Language standards for 7th grade and preparing and leading the rollout of the new standards for future grade levels.

Jan
22

Trauma & Resilience Community of Practice - Day 1

"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 need to 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 Learners and newly arrived 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.

Jan
23

Bilingual & Dual Language PLC: Mid-West Region

This is a Professional Learning Community for leaders of bilingual or dual language programs to: create a support network and learn from each other's experiences, practices, and best ideas in the field of Dual Language education. Opportunities to self-assess using Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) Guiding Principles and to strengthen programs. The series of sessions are open to leaders of bilingual and dual language programs in the Mid-West Region. Please contact Anna Stukes for more information.  
Jan
24

ELL Coordinator Meeting

This is a monthly ELL Coordinator Meeting to discuss issues and needs regarding ELLs/MLs in the Mid-West RBERN region. A zoom link will be provided a few days prior to the meeting. PD credit will only be granted to those who register and attend.

Jan
30

Virtual PLC for Teachers of Ukrainian Students

We are back for a second year of learning and collaborating! The PLC for teachers of Ukrainian students is a virtual space for sharing resources and learning how we can optimize the education for Ukrainian students and connect with their families. Please join us for one session or all four. 

RBERN Email Signup

MW-RBERN Email Signup
Name:
Email:

To validate your submission, please answer the following math problem:

captcha math problem