English Learner Education Program K-12
The English Learner (EL) program is designed to support students whose first language is not English. Students who are screened and found eligible for EL services receive English Language Education (ELE) instruction from a certified EL educator. They also receive Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) from their core content teachers. These two components of the ELE program provide a comprehensive educational experience for English Learners.
As a school district and community, Northampton strives to recognize, embrace and welcome multilingual and non-native English speakers from all cultures. NPS educators continue to enhance the academic and social experiences of incoming students in the district and seek to enrich the relationships with their English Learner (EL) families.
El programa de Estudiantes de inglés (EL) está diseñado para apoyar a los estudiantes cuyo primer idioma no es el inglés. Los estudiantes que son evaluados y elegibles para los servicios de EL reciben instrucción de Educación del Idioma Inglés (ELE) de un educador certificado en EL. También reciben inmersión en inglés protegida (SEI) de sus maestros de contenido básico. Estos dos componentes del programa ELE brindan una experiencia educativa integral para los estudiantes de inglés.
Como distrito escolar y comunidad, Northampton se esfuerza por reconocer, acoger y dar la bienvenida a hablantes de inglés multilingües y no nativos de todas las culturas. Los educadores de NPS continúan mejorando las experiencias académicas y sociales de los estudiantes entrantes en el distrito y aspiran a enriquecer las relaciones con sus familias de Estudiantes de inglés (EL).
The requirements for identifying, supporting, and reclassifying English learners (ELs) stem from multiple sources, including federal law and associated regulatory guidance, common law, and state law. To help support districts and families as they navigate the policies, procedures and practices, Northampton Public Schools is developing the ELE Handbook. This handbook documents Northampton’s collective best practices to serve and support ELs and their families.
The Northampton Public Schools ELE Handbook 2022 – 2023 (Click Here)
Los requisitos para identificar, apoyar y reclasificar a los estudiantes de inglés (EL) provienen de múltiples fuentes, incluida la ley federal y la otras regulaciones asociadas, el derecho acostumbrado y la ley estatal. Para ayudar a apoyar a los distritos y las familias mientras navegan por las políticas, procedimientos y prácticas, las Escuelas Públicas de Northampton han desarrollado el Manual de ELE. Este manual documenta las mejores prácticas colectivas de Northampton para servir y apoyar a los EL y sus familias.
el Manual de ELE de las Escuelas Públicas de Northampton el Año Fiscal 2022-2023
ACCESS for ELs Translated Information – Click Here
Northampton Public Schools annually assesses the English proficiency of all English Learners. Students who have been identified as English Learners take the World Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) ACCESS test. Students are assessed in four language domains: Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. Their proficiency is measured in three areas: Linguistic Complexity, Vocabulary and Language Control, with scores ranging from 1.0 (beginning) through 6.0 (reaching).
The test is administered for grades K-12 by a qualified EL educator. The EL educator completes an annual WIDA training that certifies him or her to administer the ACCESS test. The EL educator is also proficient in providing any accommodations to the EL student regarding language needs and/or individual education plans (IEP’s) if applicable. A student’s IEP is provided each academic year to all educators who teach and service the student.
ACCESS test results partially determine students’ programming for the following year, including possible exit from the program. The results are shared with parents/guardians along with a description of the program model.
Las Escuelas Públicas de Northampton evalúan el dominio del inglés de todos los Estudiantes de inglés anualmente. Los estudiantes que han sido identificados como aprendices de inglés toman el examen ACCESS World Class Instructional Assessment and Design (WIDA). Los estudiantes son evaluados en cuatro dominios del lenguaje: escuchar, hablar, leer y escribir. Su competencia se mide en tres áreas: Complejidad lingüística, Vocabulario y Control del Lenguaje, con puntajes que van desde 1.0 (comienzo) a 6.0 (avanzado).
La prueba es administrada para los grados K-12 por un educador calificado en EL. El educador EL completa una capacitación anual de WIDA que lo certifica para administrar el examen ACCESS. El educador EL también es competente para proporcionar adaptaciones al estudiante EL con respecto a las necesidades del idioma y / o planes de educación individual (IEP), si corresponde. El IEP de un estudiante es provisto cada año académico a todos los educadores que enseñan y sirven al estudiante.
Los resultados de la prueba ACCESS determinan parcialmente la programación de los estudiantes para el año siguiente, incluida la posible salida del programa. Los resultados se comparten con los padres / tutores junto con una descripción del modelo del programa.
Please Note:
Northampton Public Schools is in its planning phase for the Seal of Biliteracy for the 20/21′ academic school year at Northampton High School.
The English Learner Enrichment summer program is a series of free classes offered in the summer for English Learner students in the Northampton Public Schools (grades k-12). Students will continue to develop their English language proficiency through the four language domains (reading, speaking, listening and writing). Classes are taught by skilled teachers and designed to give students a chance to use social instructional language to build positive relationships with peers.
Enrollment for the ELE summer program opens in late spring. Please contact your child’s EL teacher or ELE Coordinator, Lauren Barry, for more information at (413) 587-1481.
El Programa de enriquecimiento de verano para estudiantes de inglés es una serie de clases gratuitas que se ofrecen durante el verano para estudiantes de inglés en las escuelas públicas de Northampton (grados K-12). Los estudiantes continuarán desarrollando su dominio del idioma inglés a través de los cuatro dominios del idioma (lectura, conversación, comprensión auditiva y escritura). Las clases son impartidas por maestros capacitados y están diseñadas para brindarles a los estudiantes la oportunidad de usar el lenguaje educativo social para construir relaciones positivas con sus compañeros.
La inscripción para el programa de verano de ELE se abre a fines de la primavera. Para obtener más información, comuníquese con la maestra EL de su hijo o con la Coordinadora de ELE, Lauren Barry, al (413) 587-1481.
ELE Team
Lauren Barry, M.Ed., English Learner Education & Family Student Engagement Coordinator
Lauren Barry has worked as a family partner and educator for over 10 years. She is dedicated to building relationships with students, families and the community at large. Lauren is passionate about the role of culture and equity in education. Her uncompromising belief that cultural competency is the basis for learning, communicating high expectations, and reshaping curriculum to reflect diversity contributes to positive social and academic outcomes for all students. Lauren’s leadership and commitment to English Learner Education and Family-Student Engagement nurtures positive and proactive collaboration between families and educators throughout the school district. By working in tandem with educational leadership she strives to support family engagement efforts at the district and school levels. As a member of the Northampton community, Lauren stays abreast of developments in resources to identify most impactful ways to connect families to both the school and community. Her expertise and enthusiasm for people contribute to the district’s two way communication efforts to multilingual families and equitable instructional practices for students that are representative of the diversity in Northampton Public Schools.
Kelly Fawell – Bridge Street School and Jackson Street School
Kelly Fawell is new to the Northampton district as of 2021 and previously worked as an ELL teacher in Chicopee, Ma. She looks forward to working in the Northampton community and within the English learning community. Ms. Fawell lives in Williamsburg with her husband, three children, and two dogs. In addition to teaching EL, she teaches ballet and continues to take dance classes for health and fitness.
Alyssa Dorrie – Bridge Street School
Alyssa Dorrie is an English Learner teacher at Bridge Street School. She comes from a family of immigrants and second language learners. A former French and Spanish teacher, she is passionate about language learning and teaching. She has contributed to the district’s English Learner Education curriculum writing endeavor and advocates for access for Northampton’s English learners and their families. Her interests include traveling, reading, and cooking in the Instant Pot.
Rachel Ellis – Ryan Road School
Adriane Racine – Jackson Street School
Adriane Racine is an EL teacher at Jackson Street School and works with English Learners grades k-5. Adriane has been working in the ESL field for over 10 years. She began her ESL career in Turkey where she lived and worked for eight years. She values multiculturalism and multilingualism as she is raising her own children in a bilingual household. She is passionate about children’s literature and enjoys nature.
Maria Keller – Leeds Elementary
Maria is an El teacher at Leeds Elementary School and works with English Learners in grades K-5. She comes to the district with over 20 years of experience in ELE and Special Education. Maria lives in Peru, MA with her husband, mother, and two cats. She grew up in Switzerland and speaks French. In her free time, Maria likes to learn about nutrition and health. She loves living in the woods and is an avid Minecraft player.
Hallie Novak – JFK Middle School 
Hallie is excited to be teaching English Language Learners at JFK Middle School. After graduating from Bryn Mawr College with a degree in French, she obtained her Master of Arts in Teaching ELL from Mount Holyoke College. She loves learning new words and exploring languages. She also enjoys sharing food and exchanging recipes from all over the globe with her students!
Olivia Lotstein – JFK Middle School 
Olivia is an EL teacher at JFK Middle School and works with English Learners in grades 6-8.
Sue Sullivan – Northampton High School
Sue is an EL teacher at Northampton High School. She works with English Learners and Former English Learners in grades 9-12.
Marisa Mathesien- Northampton High School 
Marisa is an EL teacher at Northampton High School. She works with English Learners and Former English Learners in grades 9-12.
In partnership with students from the 5 College Consortium the district wide ELE tutor team works to provide quality tutoring to English Learners that supports their English language acquisition, fosters academic improvement and empower ELs to engage in the learning process while making meaningful relationships with peers and mentors.
Tutors are selected and then matched with ELs based on their academic experience as well as their diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Family – School Communication
“Lionbridge (interpretation service) was so easy to use! I was nervous (reluctant really) but knew it was essential I reach out to the parent in the same time frame I would any other. It worked so beautifully!!
Called the number 800-444-6627, put in the district code then selected the language. The translator was kind, patient and so effective. Things I now know that I will do when I use Lionbridge next:
1. have my voicemail message ready for the translator in case the person does not pick up
2. share the purpose of the call with the translator to cement our teamwork
I highly recommend this incredibly supportive service. I feel empowered to meet the needs of our families. Thanks, Lauren and NPS!”
-A grateful NPS employee
“The first time I used Lion Bridge, I was overjoyed. For several years I had been unable to communicate directly with a particular parent. We had used our bi-lingual social worker to help with communication over the years, but when the social worker was involved, she would be the communicator, not me. To be able to have a translator helping with my actual communication with this mother overwhelmed me with happiness—so much so that I cried when I hung up. I have been feeling irresponsible as a principal to be unable to really talk to some of the caregivers from our school community, and Lion Bridge has given me a new level of commitment to reaching out to all.”
– NPS principal
Caregiver Voice
ELPAC Flyer Translated Information – Click Here
ELPAC Training for Parents (English Click Here – Español haga clic aquí)
The ELPAC is a group of parents that give the school district input and advice on how to best educate, support and promote our English Learners. The Northampton Public Schools wants to draw strength from all that our English Learners and their families bring to our community and our schools by promoting and educating the community about the multilingualism of our students and families
ELPAC Flyer with Scan Code _0002 (1)
ELPAC es un grupo de padres que brindan información y consejos al distrito escolar sobre cómo educar, apoyar y promover mejor a nuestros estudiantes de inglés. Las Escuelas Públicas de Northampton quieren sacar provecho de todo lo que nuestros Estudiantes de inglés y sus familias aportan a nuestra comunidad y a nuestras escuelas promoviendo y educando a la comunidad sobre el multilingüismo de nuestros estudiantes y familias.
Community Engagement
Computer Classes for Caregivers is a series of classes that provide caregivers an understanding of basic computer skills and how to navigate the online platforms used by schools to access their child’s learning. Classes will be instructed in both English and Spanish.
Computer class dates TBA. Classes will be offered in person when safe and feasible.
Computer Classes for Caregivers es un taller para ayudar a los padres a comprender las habilidades informáticas básicas y cómo navegar por las plataformas en línea utilizadas por las escuelas para acceder al aprendizaje de sus hijos. Las clases se impartirán en inglés y español.
Fechas de clases de informática por confirmar. Las clases se ofrecerán en persona cuando sea seguro y factible.
The Community Partnership Program involves the partnerships with community members who share information about topics related to supporting the diverse needs and interests of families in our schools. Members of the CPP come to meetings such as the ELPAC and include parent leaders, social workers, lawyers, teachers, and organizations in Northampton community.
If you would like more information about the CPP please contact ELE Coordinator, Lauren Barry – (413) 587-1481.
El Programa de Participación Comunitaria involucra las asociaciones con miembros de la comunidad que comparten información sobre temas relacionados con el apoyo a las diversas necesidades e intereses de las familias en nuestras escuelas. Los miembros del CPP asisten a reuniones como ELPAC e incluyen padres líderes, trabajadores sociales, abogados, maestros y organizaciones de la comunidad de Northampton.
Si desea obtener más información sobre el CPP, comuníquese con la Coordinadora de ELE, Lauren Barry – (413) 587-1481.
A workshop series for families arriving into the US from another country, who are new to American schools and the Northampton school district.
This workshop series will start in the 2021-22 academic school year.
Una serie de talleres para familias que llegan a los EE. UU. Desde otro país, que son nuevas en las escuelas estadounidenses y el distrito escolar de Northampton.
Está previsto que esta serie comience en el año escolar académico 2021-22.
Resources for Families
- COVID-19 Community Resources
- REAL – Racial Equity and Learning in Northampton Public Schools
- Remote Learning Guidance and Resources for English Learners
- Bilingual Glossaries: Math, Science, Social Studies, ELA (multiple languages)
- Univision Contigo/Clave al Exito (Spanish/English)
- Roadmap to the Common Core (Spanish/English)
Professional Development & Resources for Educators
Employment Opportunities
ELE tutors positions are currently filled. (as of 08/23/2022)
The ELE program is currently looking for NPS educators who would like to join the ELE school year (afterschool) and summer team supporting English learners with language acquisition. Please contact Lauren Barry (413) 587-1481 if interested.
“We need to help students and parents cherish and preserve the ethnic and cultural diversity that nourishes and strengthens this community – and this nation.”
César Chavez
