ESL Welcome Slides UNCOMMON
SCHOOLS
Change History
ESL Team Initial Meeting
August Onboarding 2026
© 2026 Uncommon Schools, Inc. All rights reserved.
Slide 1 of 13
Agenda
Session Length: 1 Hour 45 Mins
1
Welcome & Introductions Duration: 5 mins
2
"Two Truths & a Lie" Duration: 15 mins
3
Get-to-Know-Me Survey Duration: 10 mins
4
What's New Priorities Duration: 10 mins
5
ESL PD Schedule Review Duration: 15 mins
6
ESL Services & HLS Flagging Duration: 10 mins
7
Team Roles, Goals & Norms Duration: 40 mins
UNCOMMON SCHOOLS
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Our ESL Team
ESL Specialist
Marisa Satterfield
K-12
MES/MMS Teacher
Vincent Rossi
K-8
CES/CMS Teacher
TBD
K-8
CPHS Teacher
Colin Cumberbatch
9-12
UNCOMMON SCHOOLS
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Icebreaker: Two Truths & a Lie
Connection Time
How to Play:
Each team member will share three statements. Two statements are normal truths about your life, and one is a clever lie that sounds incredibly plausible.
The rest of the team will guess which statement is the lie.
Stuck on what to write?
Think of a wild story from your teaching or travels.
Share something about your family.
Don't overthink it! Keep it fun.
UNCOMMON SCHOOLS
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Get-to-Know-Me Survey
26-27 ESL Team Profile
Please take 10 minutes to fill out our team survey. This helps me understand how to best support and celebrate you throughout the year!
Key Areas We're Checking:
Communication Styles
Coaching Preferences
Support & Celebration Habits
Scan to complete survey
https://forms.gle/PL2f4vbRKjvphcwD9
UNCOMMON SCHOOLS
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What's New for 2026-2027
LP Due Thursdays
All ESL lesson plans must be uploaded to the Shared Google Drive by EOD Thursday for the upcoming week. This ensures timely planning support.
Session Tracking
ESL Session Tracking: Accurate attendance and time records are necessary to identify gaps in service delivery. Tracking system to be determined.
Campus Duties
ESL teachers are now assigned regular building duties (arrival, lunch, or dismissal) to integrate with local school-wide team environments.
Added Push-In Focus
We will implement push-in periods for students at the intermediate level while still providing pull-out for beginners.
Biweekly Meetings
Weekly meetings are replaced by biweekly or monthly sessions to allow all teachers to attend local grade-level PD.
UNCOMMON SCHOOLS
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ESL PD Schedule
ESL vs. Campus PD
Let's Review Our August PD Schedule
We will take time to review this now. Our schedule is structured to ensure you receive rich, campus-based PDs, as well as highly specialized, cohort-specific ESL trainings.
Campus-Based PD
Reports directly to your home school site(s) to align with building goals, operational protocols, and school culture.
ESL Cohort Focus
Report to designated site for ESL training focusing on specialized curriculum, state compliance, and data systems.
The full schedule details can be found here: August 26 PD Plan: ESL
UNCOMMON SCHOOLS
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ESL Services & HLS Flagging
Identifying MLs
How Students Are Flagged
If any of the Home Language Survey (HLS) responses indicate a language other than English is spoken or understood at home, the student is flagged for further screening including historical records review or testing.
Other Ways Students Are Flagged
Often on enrollment the front office or the teacher may indicate a student needs additional testing. A referral form should be filled out immediately by the teacher to capture this data and meet the state deadline for screening.
Review our latest survey results: HLS Survey Results
UNCOMMON SCHOOLS
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ESL Team Roles
Collaboration & Responsibilities
ESL Specialist
Facilitate programming and state compliance
Testing: Coordinate & administer WIDA screeners & ACCESSData: Manage WIDA & Ellevation systems, state reporting and accommodationsSupport: Provide teacher coaching, training, resources & student progress monitoring
ESL Teacher
Direct instruction of English language skills
Testing: Assist with ACCESS and screenersTeaching: Pull-out/push-in small groupsSupport: Collaborate with classroom teachers & parents
Classroom Teacher
Provide daily instruction of course content
Testing: Provide testing accommodationsTeaching: Modify lessons and student work based on needsSupport: Partner with ESL for language goals
SECs
Support ESL and coordinate services
Testing: Coordinate testing schedules and accommodationsData: Provide roster data; manage trackersSupport: Manage scheduling & classroom space
UNCOMMON SCHOOLS
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ESL Department Team Goals
1
Goal 1: Create Transparent ESL Program Structure and Supports
2
Goal 2: Strengthen Data-Driven Instructional Practices and IEP/SPED Coordination
3
Goal 3: Expand Family Engagement and Support Opportunities
4
Goal 4: Provide Targeted Professional Development and Strengthen Behavior Alignment
5
Goal 5: Assess and Address Staffing and Language Diversity
6
Goal 6: Strengthen ESL Program Documentation and Data Systems
UNCOMMON SCHOOLS
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Individual ESL Teacher Goals
1
Goal 1: Implement Data-Driven Instruction
2
Goal 2: Develop and Implement Individualized Plans with Targeted Accommodations
3
Goal 3: Build Strong Family Partnerships Through Regular Communication
4
Goal 4: Strengthen Behavior Management and Classroom Culture Alignment
5
Goal 5: Model ESL Practices and Support General Education Teachers
UNCOMMON SCHOOLS
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Communication Norms
1. Email Standard
Check your email at least 3 times daily (morning, lunch, and post-session). Please respond to team inquiries within 24 hours.
2. Texts & Call Logs
Use text chains for quick urgent coordination. Don't forget to share student success stories and classroom joy!
Shared Digital Spaces
All curriculum tools, rosters, lesson plans, templates, and schedules are stored securely in our private Google Folder.
On Your Radar: Friday, 8/14 we have a full day of ESL/SPED PD at Copewood where we will go over the resources and begin diving into student language data.
UNCOMMON SCHOOLS
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UNCOMMON
SCHOOLS
Questions & Discussion
I'm so excited to be working together! Add additional questions using this link .
Thank you for Supporting our Multilingual learners!
© 2026 Uncommon Schools, Inc. All rights reserved.
Slide 13 of 13
Team Launch Facilitator Guide Session 1 Guide | Pre-Service Onboarding
Team Launch Facilitator Guide
Welcome, Core Values, Team Roles, & Onboarding Workflows
Page 1
Duration 1hr 45 mins (105m)
4 (1 Lead, 1 Vet, 2 New)
Shared Folder Active ESL Drive
Facilitator Preparation Checklist
Open HLS tracker, August 26 PD, Get to Know you and Parking Lot links
Get picture of each teacher for slide 3
Print Participant Worksheets, PD schedules, ESL Team and Teacher goals
Create parking lot Q&A survey and link to August PDs
Step-by-Step Agenda & Scripting Cues
00 - 05 mins: Welcome & Introductions (Slides 1-3)
Setup
Welcome the 4-person team! Everyone introduces themselves, where they are from, how long they've been teaching, etc. Celebrate each person's core assignment.
05 - 20 mins: Two Truths & a Lie (Slide 4)
Icebreaker
Objective: Run our custom language icebreaker. Use Page 2 for group tracking. Have teachers write down 2 truths and 1 lie on Page 2 and vote on each colleague's lie.
20 - 55 mins: Survey, "What's New" & Schedules (Slides 5-7)
Structural Shifts
Complete the Get-to-Know-Me Survey. Review the structural shifts on Slide 6. Present the ESL PD Schedule, highlighting where it can be found on Google Sheets. They are laid out here. We will take time to review this schedule now.
55 - 145 mins: Identifying MLs, Roles, Goals, & Norms (Slides 8-13)
Compliance
Link HLS results. Deep-dive into flagging (any language other than English reported). Introduce the shared ESL Team Roles (Slide 9) matrix, aligning roles among Specialists, Teachers, Classroom Teachers, and SECs. Align around 2026-2027 Goals (Slides 10-11) and closing norms.
ESL Team Launchpad © 2026 Uncommon Schools Onboarding Blueprint
Onboarding Activity | Participant Handout
Two Truths & a Lie
Deep, low-stress sharing for our team of four
Page 2
Your Name:
School Site:
Draft your two truths and your fake/real lie statements. Use the space below to jot down your notes, and log your colleagues' statements so you can vote on their lies!
1 My Drafting Space
Draft statements: Think of wild teaching highlights, families, and keep it light!
2 Our Team Statements (4-Person Tracker)
Jot down key details from Marisa, Vincent, Colin, or our other team members:
Colleague 1:
Colleague 2:
Compliance Blueprint Handout Compliance Guide | Department Standards
The Compliance Blueprint
Timelines, Screener Protocols, and Federal Requirements
Page 1
Legal Foundation (Lau v. Nichols)
School districts are federally mandated to systematically identify English learners, assess their proficiency levels, provide evidence-based program models, and send parent notifications within strict timelines.
Critical Milestones & Timelines
Phase 1 First 10 Days
Home Language Survey (HLS)
Every newly enrolled student must have an HLS on file. If any language other than English is indicated on questions 1-3, initiate screening immediately.
Phase 2 First 30 Days
Screener Assessment
Administer state-approved screener (WIDA Screener, K W-APT, or local equivalent). Ensure examiners are fully certified. Log score data in the state database.
Phase 3 First 30 Days
Parent Notification Letter
Send parent program placement notifications in a language they understand. Maintain copy with signed acknowledgment (or proof of mailing) in active file.
Phase 4 Ongoing
Linguistic Accommodations
Distribute individualized learning plans (ILPs) containing accommodations to general education partners. Schedule regular co-planning syncs.
State-Approved Screener Protocol Quick-View
Grade Level Screener Tool Proficiency Threshold Kindergarten WIDA Screener for Kindergarten Composite Score < 4.5 Grades 1-5 WIDA Online / Paper Screener Composite Score < 4.5 Grades 6-12 WIDA Online Screener Composite Score < 4.5
ESL Team Launchpad © 2026 Confidential - Professional Use Only
Compliance Guide | Folder Audit Protocols
The Active File Folder
Lau-Compliant Documentation & Folder Audit Checklist
Page 2
Every identified student must have a dedicated physical "Active Folder" (usually green or blue) stored in a locked cabinet. This folder is subject to periodic state compliance audits. Use this standardized structure to assemble and audit your student folders.
Standardized Folder Layout (Left & Right Flaps)
Left Flap: Entry & Program
Home Language Survey: Original signed HLS, placed on the very bottom of the stack.
Systems Setup Worksheet Session 2 Activity | Interactive Setup Sheet
Systems Setup Worksheet
Actionable milestones for active roster preparation and digital database onboarding
Page 1
Teacher Name:
Date:
1 Digital Database Onboarding
Check off each portal as you confirm system access, and note login details.
Student Info System (SIS)
Rosters, attendance, historical grades
User ID / Username:
State EL Database / Portal
Screener logs, parent forms upload
User ID / Username:
2 Campus Compliance Coordinates
Identify the secure physical locations for resources and records on your campus.
Locked Cabinet Room & Location
Certified Testing Coordinator Office
Cabinet Key Sign-Out Contact
3 Initial Student Roster Scavenger
Log into your SIS. Search and select 4 core multilingual learners assigned to your caseload. Verify key data fields.
Student Initials Grade Home Language Latest WIDA/Screener Level Co-Teacher Name / Period Active Folder Check?
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ESL Team Launchpad © 2026 Participant Worksheets - Compliance and Logistics
Launch Week Blueprint Instructional Launch | Week 1 & 2 Blueprint
The First Two Weeks
Daily Milestones, Lower-Affect Onboarding, & High-Scaffold Classrooms
Page 1
Lowering the Affective Filter
Multilingual learners, especially newly arrived newcomers, encounter high cognitive loads. Focus the first two weeks on establishing routines, building low-stakes oral communication patterns, and gathering formative language benchmarks.
Day-by-Day Tactical Guide
Days 1 - 3
Welcome, Connections & Non-Verbal Scaffolds
Focus on student-to-student connection. Teach visual, interactive routines. Co-create picture-heavy language posters for restroom signals, supplies locations, and schedule keys.
Days 4 - 5
Introducing Basic Content Scaffolds
Introduce structured sentence stems, word walls with visual images, and bilingual glossaries. Model think-aloud strategies and reciprocal peer-teaching setups.
Days 6 - 8
Diagnostic Play & Formative Assessment
Deploy low-stakes oral diagnostic games (e.g., "The Passport Grid" - see Page 2). Formatively benchmark student listening, speaking, reading, and writing capacities in structured settings.
Days 9 - 10
Co-Teaching Model Harmonization
Establish the parallel teaching or station rotation model with your General Education co-teacher. Secure stable meeting blocks for the weekly planning cycle.
ESL Team Launchpad © 2026 Confidential - Professional Use Only
Active Tools | Low-Affect Diagnostics
Newcomer Language Tools
Formative benchmarks using interactive, multi-sensory icebreakers
Page 2
Conducting standardized screening can be clinical. Use these collaborative, game-based diagnostic activities to assess receptive and productive language in real-time, reducing teacher fatigue and student stress.
Game 1: The Passport Grid (Oral & Receptive Benchmark)
Execution: Students receive a sheet with 6 boxes containing icons (e.g., a soccer ball, a musical note, a globe, a book). They must walk around the room, ask classmates if they like each item, and get initials.
What to Listen For: Are they using full sentences ("Do you like soccer?") or simple pointing/non-verbal gesturing?
Scoring Insight: Log "Single words" (Level 1), "Phrases" (Level 2), or "Detailed sentences" (Level 3/4).
Game 2: Story Board Sequence (Reading & Logic Benchmark)
Execution: Provide small groups with a set of 5 pictorial story cards showing a simple chronological event (e.g., plant growing, making a sandwich). They must negotiate with partners to place them in sequence.
Co-Planning Alliance Agreement Session 3 Tool | Collaborative Planner
Co-Planning Alliance Agreement
Structuring collaborative roles, systems, and sync routines between ESL & Gen Ed Teachers
Page 1
ESL Teacher:
Gen Ed Partner:
1 Co-Planning Logistics Sync
Establish a sustainable planning rhythm. Set recurring times and communication tools.
Weekly Meeting Day & Time
Primary Communication Tool
Digital Document Share Path
2 Collaborative Role Delineation
Decide who has primary responsibility for key classroom duties during co-taught sessions.
Classroom Duty General Educator ESL Specialist Shared / Joint Core Content & Standard Design
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| Linguistic Accommodations & Scaffolds |
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| Grading of Multilingual Student Work |
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| Behavioral Expectations & Norms |
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| Family Communications & Outreach |
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3 Our Shared Core Classroom Agreements
Work collaboratively to synthesize your co-teaching rules. Use the spaces below to write your joint agreements.
Our primary routine for breaking into stations or parallel groups:
How we will provide grading/feedback for students needing severe linguistic scaffolds:
ESL Team Launchpad © 2026 Collaborative Tool - Launch Week Roadmap
