World Language Newsletter: Happy Fall to our parents and families! Nov ,2021

             I am writing as the World Language Dept Chair to provide you with a lot of information regarding our assessments this year and to share the good news of our DESE grant! We have been awarded a grant from DESE that will allow us to assess Grades 8, 10, 11 and 12 using the STAMP (Standardized Measure of the Assessment of Proficiency) as final exams. You may have received information about this during Meet Your Teacher Night. The grant purchased all the testing and a series of headsets for Lawrence students to use with their Chromebooks. We will analyze the data next summer to determine differentiation and to develop next year’s Professional Practice and Student Growth Goals. Teachers are preparing by incorporating a lot of authentic resources into their units as well as attending training on interpersonal speaking and comprehensible input through the Cape Cod Collaborative and the Fall MaFLA conference.

            In the spring we will establish a testing schedule for both schools beginning in April with seniors and then in June for juniors and sophomores using language lab time. At Lawrence, I will work with Derrick Zarra and Tom Bushy to plan for testing administration. Younger grades take a longer time. Older students move faster, but students should plan for a 4-hour window of testing. Teachers prepare students with practice tests ahead of testing.

             Students who meet their target proficiency level at Lawrence with receive certificates of proficiency attainment at their award ceremony. Those seniors at FHS will receive pins, certificates, cords at graduation ,and have the information recorded on their transcripts and diplomas.

             Any parents with further questions, do not hesitate to get in touch with me at 508-540- 2200 x 3047 or by email at pdipillo@falmouth.k12.ma.us.

MASSACHUSETTS STATE SEAL OF BILITERACY

The State Seal of Biliteracy is an award given to students who have attained a high level of proficiency in English (ELA MCAS) and a World Language (French, Latin, or Spanish).  In Falmouth, qualifying seniors will receive an official state seal on their diploma and/or transcript. The chart below summarizes the awards and criteria. This program is designed to both motivate and recognize students who have pursued and attained bilingualism during their academic career in Falmouth. Senior students attending Falmouth High School are eligible to apply for this award. Students will need to demonstrate proficiency in English and in a partner language on district-selected standardized tests, as well as submit an essay related to their proficiency in a World Language. Students are encouraged to speak with the World Language Dept Chair for more information and to obtain an application form.

Nov 15, 2021

Dear Parent/ Guardian:

            You are receiving this letter to announce that the FHS World Language Department will be offering both the STAMP and ALIRA Proficiency tests to seniors during April. The World Language Department wishes to recognize and promote language proficiency in Spanish, French, and Latin by administering the STAMP to modern language students and the ALIRA to Latin students. There is no cost to students for this testing. All testing has been purchased with departmental funds through a DESE Grant. Tests are administered and proctored by World language teachers. The results of these tests inform students, parents, and educators about learning progress and program effectiveness. Test results indicate the level of proficiency the learner has reached. Students reaching their targeted proficiency level of Intermediate High or Advanced Low earn recognition and will be honored at our annual World Language Award Ceremony on May, 23^rd, 2022 at Falmouth High School. There will be a further announcement for that event.

            We wish all students success in their language study!

                                                                                                Yours Very Truly,

                                                                                                Pat DiPillo, Ed.D., WL Dept Chair

                                                                                                Travis Andrade, Latin

                                                                                                Molly Drane, Spanish

                                                                                                Susan Schmidt, French