Español / Información para hispanohablantes

Elementary Schools

At the elementary level, EL students receive services by appropriately trained teachers within the general education classroom using the Specially Designed Academic Instruction in English (SDAIE) model. The district currently has 36 bilingual instructional aides serving at 10 school sites with a significant enrollment of English Learners. These aides work with teachers and students to provide additional support throughout the school day. There are also nine community liaisons who provide a bilingual connection for parents of EL students; these community liaisons are invaluable sources of information and support to non-English speaking parents. The district also provides the services of translators/interpreters who ensure all necessary notifications and printed materials are translated into Spanish for parents. They attend and interpret for IEP meetings of students with disabilities who have non-English speaking parents, as well as providing translation of the resulting IEP documentation. With the use of wireless headsets for parents, our versatile translators/interpreters provides word-for-word translations of DELAC meetings.

The ELD program provides purposeful daily instruction in both a developmental program and as explicit preparation for content courses. Systematic ELD is designed to build a solid foundation in English language using an organized method that does not leave the development of forms or fluency to random experiences and chance encounters. Simi Valley has adopted Intensive English by Santillana as the ELD program at the elementary level. In addition to instruction in the development of English language skills, students have access to the core curriculum and receive instruction through presentation methods and techniques designed for students who are learning English.

Middle and High Schools

At the secondary level, all EL students receive services in one of three settings. For students at the lower fluency levels, two periods of ELD instruction are provided during the school day. These students receive instruction in specifically designed programs using appropriate instructional practices with the goal of achieving fluency as quickly as possible. All ELD teachers hold LDS or CLAD certificates. The Language! curriculum, published by Cambium Learning Group, is used in all ELD classes at the secondary level and is specifically designed to support achievement of English fluency in oral (listening & speaking), reading and writing domains.  

For students at the higher fluency levels, a Transitional English class specifically designed for these students is provided. These classes use the same materials and follow the same course outlines as the regular English classes in our district. The uniqueness of the class is in the pace of instruction and the instructional strategies utilized by the teacher. In addition to the core curriculum, students enrolled in Transitional English receive support and instruction in the ELD standards as appropriate based on regular individual student assessment, as a part of the Language! curriculum program. In the middle schools the students in Transitional English class are enrolled in a supplemental period of reading development/ELD instruction and support. The Language! curriculum and assessment program are used in these classes.

For students that have achieved reasonable fluency, as defined by our district, students may be placed in a regular English class with a teacher who possesses the appropriate certification. Regular monitoring by the EL Counselor and/or Administrator is required to ensure student success and progress.

In addition to ELD instruction, each student may receive SDAIE instruction in the core academic areas. Staff examines each student individually to determine fluency level and past academic success to determine placement in these classes. At both the Middle School and High School level, SDAIE classes exist in Math, History/Social Studies, and Science. All teachers of these classes have CLAD, BCLAD, SB 1969 or SB 395 certificates.

The goal of our elementary and secondary programs is to achieve English fluency as quickly as possible while still providing quality instruction and learning opportunities for our English language learners.

DELAC MEETING CALENDAR

Schedule

Agenda

ELD Contact List
T: 805-306-4500         FAX: 805-520-6520

Dr. Naomi Cortez
Coordinator of Learning for Diverse Population
naomi.cortez@simivalleyusd.org
Extension 4209

Tammy White
Admin. Assistant II / ELD - Foster - McKinney Vento
tammy.white@simivalleyusd.org
Extension 4222

Elizabeth Camacho
Spanish Translator & Interpreter
elizabeth.camacho@simivalleyusd.org
Extension 4219

Jennifer Strickler
Teacher on Special Assignment - Learning for Diverse Population
jennifer.strickler@simivalleyusd.org
Extension 4290     

Tracey Rapp
Admin. Assistant II / ELPAC - CAASPP
tracey.rapp@simivalleyusd.org
Extension 4214

Desarrollo del Idioma Ingles

Click here to access SVUSD's ELD Resource Commons

Kindergarten Information

It is the goal of our English Learner Parent Team to celebrate various traditions and cultures that exist throughout Simi Valley and beyond. We want to bring pride, unity, and cultural awareness to our community. We are excited to start with a tradition from different regions in Mexico, the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos).

The Day of the Dead is celebrated each November 2 throughout Mexico. The Day of the Dead has been recognized by UNESCO in its List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Traditions and festivities vary throughout Mexico’s different regions. Family and friends create altars in family homes and cemeteries to honor their deceased love ones. The altars are decorated with offerings (ofrendas) such as candles; marigolds and other flowers; pan de muertos (bread covered in sugar); favorite foods of the deceased; pictures of the deceased’s loved ones; favorite items; and photographs of the deceased. Tradition says that these altars will help the spirits find their way back to the land of the living for the Day of the Dead.

El objetivo del equipo de padres aprendices de inglés es celebrar las tradiciones y culturas que existen a lo largo de Simi Valley y sus alrededores. Deseamos dar a nuestra comunidad un sentimiento de orgullo, unidad y conciencia cultural. Nos entusiasma empezar con una tradición proveniente de diferentes regiones de México, el Día de los Muertos.

El Día de los Muertos se celebra el 2 de noviembre en todo México. El Día de los Muertos ha sido reconocido por la UNESCO en su lista de Patrimonio Cultural Inmaterial de la Humanidad Las tradiciones y fiestas varían a lo largo de las diferentes regiones de México. Las familias y amistades elaboran altares en sus casas y en los cementerios para honrar a sus seres queridos difuntos. Los altares se decoran con ofrendas como velas; cempasúchil y otras flores; pan de muertos (pan cubierto de azúcar); la comida favorita del difunto o difunta; fotos del difunta o difunta, objetos preferidos; y fotografías de los difuntos.  Nos cuenta la tradición que el Día de Muertos, esos altares ayudan a los espíritus a encontrar el camino de regreso al mundo de los vivos.