The first Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) for Multilingual Learners in the Montclair Public Schools was held on February 26 at the Fuzzy Furlong Field House/Aubrey Lewis Sports Complex led by Yasmin E. Hernandez, Bilingual/ESL/World Languages District Consultant. The PAC is mandated in the NJDOE Chapter 15 Bilingual Education.
More than 20 parents attended who were predominately Spanish native speakers with four French speakers and one Portuguese speaker. The Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence (MFEE) was represented by Executive Director, Masiel Rodriquez-Vars and Program Coordinator, Anyily Agudelo.
The meeting agenda included an overview of the Parent Advisory Committee, the NJDOE Chapter 15, Bilingual Education adopted amendments, information on understanding ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 annual assessment for multilingual learners, a list of Community Resources for Multilingual Learners’ families and an opportunity for parental engagement that consisted of parents having an open dialogue on how the needs of their children were being met by the Montclair Public Schools.
“We look forward to having many more parents join the Montclair Public Schools PAC,” said Hernandez. “Thank you to all who took part in this committee meeting and participated in the discussion of our Multilingual Learners in the Montclair Public Schools.”
The next PAC meetings are scheduled to be held on March 22, April 22, and May 20.
This month began the Montclair Public Schools’ (MPS) 10-week, free, adult ESL classes for parents/guardians at the Charles H. Bullock School through a grant and partnership with the Essex County Schools of Technology (ECST). More than 20 people attended the first session on March 4, led by instructors from ECST. We are thrilled to announce our new partnership with Montclair Public Schools,” said Anibal Ponce, ECST District Supervisor of Adult School, ESL and World Languages. “Thanks to the incredible support of Dr. James Pedersen, ECST Superintendent, John P. Dolan, Director of Adult, Career & Technical Education, Dr. Jonathan Ponds, MPS Superintendent, Damen Cooper, MPS Dir. Of Secondary Education and Rosa Hermida, ECST District Parent Coordinator, we have launched this adult school ESL satellite program at Charles H. Bullock School.”
Continued Ponce, “Serving diverse and eager to learn parents of ESL students from MPS we are so proud to be a part of this wonderful initiative. Let’s learn and grow together!”
Due to the high demand, Montclair Public Schools will have additional classes that will be taught by MPS teachers beginning in a few weeks. Program supplies, refreshments and childcare are also provided at no cost. Details coming soon.