ESL Parent Resource Page

English Learner Identification

An English Learner, or EL, is a student whose home language is not English and needs support learning English. All parents and guardians of newly enrolled students must complete a Home Language Survey to let school staff know which language your child speaks at home. 

If your responses show that your child speaks a language other than English at home, the school may give your child the WIDA Screener exam to measure your child’s English proficiency level.  This is part of a multi-step process that determines whether your child needs language support program services. If the test shows a need for English support in reading, writing, speaking, your child will be identified as an English Learner (EL) and the parent or guardian will receive a program qualification letter by mail.

Annual Pennsylvania Exams

All identified English Learners must take the annual WIDA ACCESS for ELLs exam in the winter.  They will qualify for reclassification out of the English Language Development Program when they score a minimum of 4.5 and have teacher recommendation.

English Learners must also participate in the Pennsylvania PSSA and Keystone Exams for reading, math, and science. 

Our Schools

 The Berwick Area School District has four schools for grades Kindergarten-12: 

School

Address

Phone Number

East Berwick Elementary (K- gr. 4)

810 East 10th Street, Berwick

570-759-6400, option 1

West Berwick Elementary (K- gr. 4)

809 Sycamore Street, Berwick

570-759-6400, option 5

Berwick Middle School (gr. 5- 8)

1100 Evergreen Drive, Berwick

570-759-6400, option 4

Berwick High School (gr. 9- 12)

1100 Fowler Avenue, Berwick

570-759-6400, option 2

East Berwick & West Berwick Elementary School class hours are:  8:40 AM – 3:05 PM

Berwick Middle School & Berwick High School class hours are:  7:45 AM – 2:35 PM

School Attendance

 Students are expected to be punctual and attend school every day from ages 5-18, as school attendance is mandatory in Pennsylvania.  If students are absent from school, parents must provide a written note, a doctor’s excuse, or call the school office to report the student’s absence.  Parents are permitted to write up to 15 absence notes per school year from August to June.  After 15 parent notes, all additional absences require an official doctor’s excuse.  If you fail to comply with this, you may have to appear before the Berwick Magistrate and pay a fine.

 If students need to leave school early due to an appointment, please notify the office in advance by phone call or a written note.

Meals

All students receive a free breakfast and lunch during the school day.  Additional food and snacks are available to purchase.  You can put money into a cafeteria account for your child.  Students can also bring a packed lunch from home.

Transportation

School bus transportation to and from your home is available depending on your address and distance from the school, per our district policy.  We will notify you if you qualify for bussing. Parents can drop-off and pick-up students in the designated areas of the school. 

Become Involved

  • Ensure that your child goes to school every day, ready to learn.

  • Ensure that your child reads and completes any homework assignments by checking the class folder daily (elementary grades)

  • Create a supportive home environment for learning and studying.

  • Read with your child in your home language every day and encourage them to read daily.

Miss Laurel Peifer

ESL Coordinator 

Miss Peifer has been the ESL Coordinator in the Berwick Area School District since January 2000. She taught Spanish at Montoursville High School and in the State College Area School District prior to coming to Berwick.   

She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish Secondary Education from Asbury College. In 2000, Miss Peifer earned a Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Bloomsburg University. She holds two additional Master's degrees from Wilkes University -one in Classroom Technology and another in Educational Leadership with K-12 Principal certifications. She earned Supervisor of Foreign Languages and Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction certifications from Bloomsburg University. Miss Peifer has an ESL Program Specialist certification from Penn State.


Mensaje de Señorita Peifer, La Coordinadora de ESL 

El Programa de Inglés Como Segundo Idioma (ESL) ofrece clases de inglés especiales para estudiantes que hablan un idioma distinto del inglés.  El objetivo del programa es aumentar la aptitud de inglés de los estudiantes en escuchar, hablar, leer, y escribir.  Los nuevos estudiantes que se matriculan en nuestro distrito escolar se les da un examen de inglés llamado W-APT, que requiere de Pennsylvania, para determinar su nivel de competencia en las cuatro áreas mencionadas anteriormente.  Si los resultados de los estudiantes muestran que él/ella necesita ayuda adicional con el inglés, él/la estudiante recibirá clases especializadas de ESL.  Los estudiantes de primaria son sacados de sus clases regulares durante el día para obtener instrucciones en inglés, mientras que los estudiantes de secundaria están programados para un período de clase con la profesora de ESL. 

Los estudiantesdeben tomar el examen ACCESS de Pennyslvania para determinar su progreso con el dominio del inglés cada año.  Los estudiantes que cumplen con todos los criterios del estado para salir del programa de ESL, en base a la puntuación ACCESS, calificaciones de clase, y los resultados de los exámenes de PSSA/Keystone saldrán del programa de ESL.  Son entonces en una fase de "vigilancia" durante dos años para estar seguros de que están progresando como se esperaba.