Urging atendance at the upcoming English Language-Learner, or EL Night at Haleyville Middle School, from left, Jesika Cockrell, EL paraprofessional, Middle School Principal Bo Wilcoxson and Middle School Assistant Principal Emily Faulkner.
HALEYVILLE - The significant increase in students learning the English language, or EL students, has prompted Haleyville Middle School to hold a public meeting to address concerns and bridge any gaps in communication that could lead to other issues.
What school officials are calling an EL Night has been set for Tuesday, Oct. 22, at 5:30 p.m. at the middle school library, where family members of EL students are urged to attend and meet with school officials, stated Middle School Principal Bo Wilcoxson.
Based on the success of last year’s EL Night, Wilcoxson hopes that parents or family members will attend, meet EL teachers and paraprofessionals and learn about things at the middle school, with officials answering any questions parents or guardians might have, he said.
“Our numbers are really growing relative to what we had five years ago,” confirmed Wilcoxson.
Currently, the middle school has over 40 EL students. This number, school officials noted, has doubled from last year.
“For the first few years I was here, we did not have an EL population,” Wilcoxson stated. “Now we do.”
Wilcoxson stressed that not all Hispanic or Latino students are in the EL program.
“They can test out, which means they have reached where they need to be and are pulled out,” Wilcoxson explained. “So, with that, we have 69 Hispanic students here.
“There is a language barrier,” Wilcoxson pointed out. “We want parents to understand that we are going to take care of your child, protect your child.
“We also want them to be informed of what’s going on throughout the academic school year, and extracurricular activities, as well,” Wilcoxson continued.
Wilcoxson hopes the EL night will be a question-and-answer session for family members of EL students and teachers, paraprofessionals and administrators, so everyone will be on the same page when it comes to their child’s education.
“We are really encouraging parents to come,” Wilcoxson said. Refreshments will be served, as well as door prizes given out, he added.
See complete story in the Northwest Alabamian.
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