To better prepare both parents and students for whom English is a second language, the Northwest school held a fun and informative ESL workshop on Oct. 22. The workshop featured a detailed PowerPoint presentation guided by Susanne Pena, Amityville’s coordinator for ESL and bilingual programs. Pena presented the information in both Spanish and English. A Haitian Creole version of the presentation was also made available in print format.

The ESL workshop was intended to inform parents about what ESL services provide for their children, for what duration they’d receive services, and what determines whether a student requires ESL services. The presentation introduced parents to the New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT), a standardized test all students must score proficiently on in order to move out of the ESL program. Additionally, Pena informed the audience of the ESL services offered by Amityville and its extended Limited English Proficiency (LEP) services for those students who do pass the NYSESLAT.

Northwest Principal Vincent Todisco kicked off the event, with the help of staff members and volunteers from the National Junior Honor Society under the supervision of NJHS advisor Carlee Wallenstein. The parents and children in attendance were served pizza and soft drinks.