CCUSD
– The Cave Creek school district will hold its first English
Language Learner classes this summer for students who
qualify for English language instruction.
The
district was awarded a $17,000 grant from the Arizona
Department of Education to help ELL students with their
English language skills. The money will be used to fund
before‑ and after‑school tutoring during the
academic year and summer classes. The district plans to
apply for another grant this July for next year.
The
district has about 50 ELL students ranging from elementary
through high school age. About 25 of these students are
at the elementary school level. Students range in proficiency
from completely non‑English speaking to close to
fluent.
“We
hope to focus on students who are struggling through the
school year to support their academic success as well
as language development,” said Monica Milinovich, professional
learning community specialist for the district. “We hope
to add a parent component in the future.”
ELL
refers to students who are not proficient in English.
The state requires these children to take a test and depending
on their scores, they are given the opportunity to enroll
in a structured English immersion class. There, the teacher
speaks only English but uses strategies to help students
learn subjects and the language.
Summer
classes will be held from 8 a.m.‑2 p.m. June 4‑28,
Mondays through Thursdays. All grade level ELL students
are eligible. Classes will be held in conjunction with
summer school at Horseshoe Trails Elementary and Sonoran
Trails Middle School.
Students
who recently moved into the district are also eligible,
Milinovich said.
