English as A Second Language
English Language Learners (ELLs) are students who were raised in a home where English was not the first language spoken or heard. Because of this, it is harder to read, write, speak, and listen in school. The Princeton school system wants to help these children learn more English so they can learn the other things school wants to teach them. Without a good command of English, it's very hard to learn.
At the start of the school year, we meet with parents, classroom teachers, and guidance counselors to decide how much time is appropriate to give each ELL and what changes should be made to give more opportunity to learn. Such changes might include a different way to grade student work, different homework assignments, or a student assigned to help. By law, these meetings must happen in the first 20 days of school.
For the rest of the school year, our staff visits ELLs all over the county, helping them read, write, listen, and speak more clearly in English. Typically students are taken out of their regular class for 30 minutes at a time. Report cards and progress reports are collected so that we can make sure students are progressing.
In the spring, all Ells take a test to measure progress in English. Results from this test help us when it is time for our meetings at the start of the school year. As school ends, all our students work on a project together. Often we write, illustrate, and publish an original story.
We want our English language program to be useful to students and classroom teachers, and to be fun, too!
Are there things you are not allowed to eat? Every month our schools give a calendar to all students, listing what will be served for breakfast and lunch every school day. Parents should look for this and discuss it with their children. If necessary, you may make a lunch at home and send it to school with your child.
Contact us for help:
Amanda Aliff, program director, email: aaliff@k12.wv.us phone: (304) 487-1551
Savanna Holt, phone: 304-425-7517
Molly Robinette, phone: 304-425-81
State Policy 2417 includes definitions, regulations and the five standards for English as a Second Language.