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Reposted by Illinois Resource Center

Carly Spina @mrsspinasclass.bsky.social · Sep 12

Updated this tool just this week to add Haitian Creole thanks to Karina & Evens Paul!!
"I NEED" statement cards for newcomers! movingbeyondformls.blogspot.com/2023/08/i-ne...

"I Need" Cards: Printables for Newcomers

At the beginning of the school year, I always encourage folks to prep a ton of these in anticipation of newcomer students that will arrive t...

movingbeyondformls.blogspot.com

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Illinois Resource Center @ilresourcectr.bsky.social · 27d

What do language education and architecture have in common? Both can benefit from a universal design approach! IRC Specialist @maestraolivia.bsky.social led an energetic session about UDL and translanguaging and where these two concepts meet.

Illinois Resource Center @ilresourcectr.bsky.social · 27d

It was an honor to welcome the brilliant Dr. Sonia Soltero from DePaul University to share her insights with us on creating culturally responsive ecosystems for multilingual learners and working with an asset-based approach to student & family language & culture. Thank you, Dr. Soltero!

Illinois Resource Center @ilresourcectr.bsky.social · 27d

Only @mrsspinasclass.bsky.social would spend a wild Saturday night poring over a 13-year study of ELs. 😂

It's fitting then that she led a lively discussion about data, with a reminder that "ACCESS data is SCHOOL data" — it's a reflection of the way the entire school supports English learners.

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Illinois Resource Center @ilresourcectr.bsky.social · 28d

A bittersweet morning as we celebrated the accomplishments of two ISBE leaders retiring later this school year — Seng Naolhu & Barry Pedersen.

Congrats, Seng & Barry, & thank you for all you have done & continue to do to support multilingual students!

Illinois Resource Center @ilresourcectr.bsky.social · 28d

We were honored to have ILTOY Victor Gómez as our keynote speaker. He shared his journey to becoming a bilingual STEM teacher, & how fellow educators can continue to embrace multilingualism as an asset in STEM instruction.

Thank you, Victor, for sharing your story!

Illinois Resource Center @ilresourcectr.bsky.social · 28d

"In Illinois, we believe a child does not need to lose a language in order to learn a language." —powerful words to start Day Two from Illinois Superintendent Tony Sanders

Illinois Resource Center @ilresourcectr.bsky.social · 28d

A packed house in Rosemont for another fabulous day of learning, connecting, growing and sharing resources at the Statewide Meeting for Administrators Supporting English Learners! Stay tuned for more updates & insights.

Illinois Resource Center @ilresourcectr.bsky.social · 29d

The future is here! Meet the new directors as we kick off the 2025 Statewide Meeting for Administrators Supporting English Learners! Excited to learn, grow & connect with these passionate educators.

Illinois Resource Center @ilresourcectr.bsky.social · Jul 28

At our first EmpowerCon, Specialist Adelicia Brienzo led an informative workshop on culturally responsive family engagement practices. For those who couldn't make it to Rantoul, we're sharing the packed resource doc with you now!
docs.google.com/document/d/1...

Family Engagement Resource Document

Trauma Resources Refugees Understanding Refugee Trauma: For Mental Health Professionals (The National Child Traumatic Stress Network) Immigrants & Newcomers Core Stressors Tool Kit (updated 2019) F...

docs.google.com

Illinois Resource Center @ilresourcectr.bsky.social · Jul 28

Thank you to all the educators, administrators, education leaders, parents, partners and elected officials in Illinois and beyond who advocated for these important funds for our schools and communities to be released. www.chalkbeat.org/2025/07/25/t...

Trump administration releases billions in education funding after a weekslong freeze

The funding delay had schools scrambling to figure out how they might fill an unexpected budget gap, and some after-school programs abruptly closed.

www.chalkbeat.org

Illinois Resource Center @ilresourcectr.bsky.social · Jul 15

In case no one told you today,

Illinois Resource Center @ilresourcectr.bsky.social · Jul 15

Love this idea from @mrsspinasclass.bsky.social at EmpowerCon — “No” cards. Creating cards & affirmations that celebrate students putting in effort, like trying out for a team, even if they weren’t successful.

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Illinois Resource Center @ilresourcectr.bsky.social · Jul 9

Next week, our all-new round of in-person workshops for parents and BPAC members begins! Join us at the West Lawn Library to get informed and connect with other parents. Sessions available in English & Spanish, and all are welcome!

Illinois Resource Center @ilresourcectr.bsky.social · Jul 9

This summer marks the 50th anniversary of Lau vs. Nichols, a landmark case that enshrined language access in the classroom for English learners. This EdSource podcast looks at the impact of that ruling through the lens of a teacher, & is worth a listen.

edsource.org/podcast/educ...

PODCAST: 50 years later: How Lau v. Nichols changed education for English learners (Re-broadcast)

In the 1974 case, the Court decided students who do not yet speak fluent English have a right to understand what is being taught in their classrooms.

edsource.org

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Illinois Resource Center @ilresourcectr.bsky.social · Jul 2

Although Congress appropriated $890 million in Title III funds for FY25, the U.S. Department of Education has not yet allocated these funds to the states.

The time is now to act. Let's show up for our schools and communities, together.

irc.thecenterweb.org/all-hands-on...

ALL HANDS ON DECK: Take action to demand release of Title III funds!

Although Congress appropriated $890 million in Title III funds for FY25, the U.S. Department of Education has not yet allocated these funds to the states. The July 1st deadline has since

irc.thecenterweb.org

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Reposted by Illinois Resource Center

Carly Spina @mrsspinasclass.bsky.social · Jul 2

Special thanks to NABE for their informative press conference yesterday regarding the Withholding of Title III Funds. They shared many thoughts, ideas, and resources. Witholding these *congressionally approved* funds is already making a HUGE NEGATIVE IMPACT docs.google.com/document/d/1...

NABE Call to Action-Attachments.docx

Sample letter for contacting members of Congress: Subject: Constituents Urge Immediate Release of FY25 Title III ESSA Funds Dear [Senator/Representative] [Last Name], As your constituents and advocat...

docs.google.com

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Reposted by Illinois Resource Center

Carly Spina @mrsspinasclass.bsky.social · Jul 2

WE SHOULD ALL CARE ABOUT TITLE III DOLLARS BEING WITHHELD. This directly impacts how we're able to serve & support multilingual learners in our schools and communities. GET INFORMED, GET CONNECTED, GET ACTIVE!

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Illinois Resource Center @ilresourcectr.bsky.social · Jun 30

REMINDER: Please contact your members of Congress TODAY to demand the disbursement of Title III federal funds to support ELs! We've linked a tool to make emailing them easy.

irc.thecenterweb.org/take-action-...

TAKE ACTION: Contact Congress to call for disbursement of Title III Funds

Dear friends, We have just a few days left to ensure crucial federal Title III funds reach our schools and communities where it is needed most. These funds support salaries and curriculum, language i...

irc.thecenterweb.org

Illinois Resource Center @ilresourcectr.bsky.social · Jun 27

Any fans of Dav Pilkey’s “Dog Man” series in your class? CSEL cohort member Mellody Gomez from Antioch shows the exciting coding activities her third grade MLs are exploring, like making interactive book covers! Providing these tools & resources promote creativity, language dev & empowerment!

Illinois Resource Center @ilresourcectr.bsky.social · Jun 27

Celebrating three years of CSEL! Silvia Rogel shared the impact of our Computer Science for Every Learner initiative with educators & stakeholders & how this work promotes equity, opportunity & innovation for MLs. Thanks to Sen. Omar Aquino for supporting this work as well!

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Illinois Resource Center @ilresourcectr.bsky.social · Jun 27

We need all hands on deck to ensure Title III funding reaches our schools and communities. These funds support important services & training for EL students, families, & educators.

The deadline for releasing these funds is Tuesday, 7/1. Contact your reps today! irc.thecenterweb.org/take-action-...

TAKE ACTION: Contact Congress to call for disbursement of Title III Funds

Dear friends, We have just a few days left to ensure crucial federal Title III funds reach our schools and communities where it is needed most. These funds support salaries and curriculum, language i...

irc.thecenterweb.org

Illinois Resource Center @ilresourcectr.bsky.social · Jun 23

As school breaks for summer, please also spread the word about how families can find the closest Summer Meals site. Call the Illinois Hunger Coalition’s Hunger Hotline at 800-359-2163, visit the USDA's Summer Meals for Kids Site Finder, or visit We Got You Illinois.

wegotyouillinois.org/programs/

Program Landing Page | We Got You Illinois

wegotyouillinois.org

Illinois Resource Center @ilresourcectr.bsky.social · Jun 23

Calling all parents and caregivers! Join us next month at the West Lawn library for the start of our series of supportive, informative conversations for parents & caregivers. English & Spanish sessions available; all are welcome!

Illinois Resource Center @ilresourcectr.bsky.social · Jun 18

Calling all front office staff! Our Becoming Multilingual Champions series returns next month with an all new webinar on how to administer, use and understand the Home Language Survey to best support multilingual students and families! RSVP on our website.

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