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  • FICKETT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

    PRIMARY YEARS PROGRAMME LANGUAGE POLICY

    R.N. Fickett Elementary Mission Statement

    In a safe and nurturing environment, with collaboration of all stakeholders, we will provide all
    students with a quality, rigorous curriculum that develops curious, experienced, and
    compassionate learners that think positively and globally.
    R.N. Fickett Elementary Vision

    A school of excellence that empowers students to become curious, considerate, lifelong
    learners who are internationally minded and college and career ready.

    LANGUAGE POLICY

    Purpose of the Language Policy
    The language policy is a working document developed by the administration and staff at
    Fickett Elementary School. The policy is consistent with the principles and practices of the IB
    Programme and Georgia Standards of Excellence. This document outlines the expectations of
    Fickett Elementary as it relates to language learning and is a statement of agreement between
    all stakeholders.
    The language policy promotes life-long learning by developing language-learning skills that will
    give students the capacity to solve problems, think critically, and act creatively.
    Philosophy
    At Fickett, we believe that students will become more knowledgeable and aware through the
    transdisciplinary study of language and the study of an additional language. We believe that
    language and communication create the cohesiveness and understanding across cultures
    needed to exist successfully in a rapidly changing society. Therefore, we aim to continuously
    improve the quality of language instruction using research-based strategies and best practices
    to advance learners at every level.
    Overview
    Fickett Elementary School is a PreK-Fifth grade public school in the Atlanta Public School
    District. The school accepts all students living within R. N. Fickett’s school zone. At our school,
    we understand that language is vital to learning because it saturates the entire curriculum.
    Therefore, we support the development of language of instruction, world languages, and the
    home language. Through language, one is able to form his or her own identity, explore the
    environment, solve problems, and influence the thinking of others.

    Written: March 11, 2020
    Reviewed and Revised: October 20, 2023

    At Fickett, all students experience an enriched language program in which English is the
    primary language of instruction, and French is taught as an additional language. Fickett
    Elementary has a full-time French teacher. French is offered 5 days a week. Students in
    grades Kindergarten through Five receive French instruction a minimum of 1 day a week for 45
    minutes.
    For English Language Learners, we offer a comprehensive program which allows students to
    acquire the skills and knowledge needed to access the regular curriculum. Fickett provides
    support to students and their families to enable them to adjust to a new language, learning
    environment, and culture.
    The school promotes usage and enrichment of the home language by encouraging families to
    continue speaking, reading and writing in the language spoken at home. Fickett also
    recommends that families take advantage of the home language instructional opportunities
    available in neighboring communities.
    All aspects of our language program require formal as well as ongoing informal assessments.
    These assessments are used to plan appropriate instruction and to evaluate student progress.
    At Fickett, we believe students learn best when teachers.....
    ● Present language through meaningful authentic context
    ● Integrate language into all subject areas
    ● Encourage students to reflect on language and develop awareness
    ● Recognize and respect the different ways in which students express themselves,
    including mother tongue development
    ● Provide an environment that is conducive to learning and enriches their language
    development
    ● Develop positive attitudes toward improving communication skills and provide a wide
    range of opportunities to do so
    ● Teach language using a balanced approach that address all components (listening,
    speaking, reading, and writing)
    ● Use a wide range of differentiated strategies for the purpose of (remediation, enrichment,
    etc.)

    To facilitate language instruction teachers will....
    ● Implement lesson plans
    ● Implement the literacy block with fidelity
    ● Implement their transdisciplinary units of study
    ● Engage students in cooperative discussions
    ● Model effective reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills
    ● Provide students opportunities to research, publish, and share work
    ● Express feelings and opinions and encourage others to do the same
    ● Encourage potential involvement

    Written: March 11, 2020
    Reviewed and Revised: October 20, 2023

    Home Language Support/ESOL
    At Fickett, 98% of the students speak English and the remaining 2% are Non-English speaking
    students. The ESOL Program supports the home language of the students whose first
    language is not English. The faculty and staff are also accountable for communicating support
    of the mother tongue, and there are books in the Media Center to support Non-English
    speaking families.
    R.N. Fickett’s ESOL program is standards-based and emphasizes academic and social
    language development. ESOL coursework is based upon WIDA Consortium English Language
    Development Standards while simultaneously integrating grade appropriate content standards
    to ensure that all ELs are successful. The ESOL Program also provides access to resources
    and facilitates communication between the school district and home to allow parents and
    families of English Learners to play an active role in their child’s education.
    Fickett provides support for Non-English speaking students in the following ways:
    ● English Language Learners (ELL) Program: A part-time ELL teacher supports students
    through pull-out small group instruction and in-class (mainstream) assistance 2.5 days a
    week.
    ● Office of Bi-lingual Education (OBE): Fickett Elementary draws on resources from the
    district office for students and parents whose mother tongue is other than English. They
    provide print resources in a variety of languages for parents and teachers upon request.
    Also they provide oral and written translation services when requested by a school or
    parents.
    ● Library Resources: The school is limited in resources for languages. There are some
    books in other languages, and additional resources will be purchased regularly.
    English Language Learner Family Support
    ● New Parent Orientation with Parent Liaison and Administrative Team
    ● Community Outreach (connect with other members of the community of the same home
    language)
    ● Inform families of community resources that support their language and culture
    ● Ongoing parent workshops
    ● Books purchased for parents in French and English
    ● Sharing of strategies to use at home
    ● Donating/loaning books in native language
    ● Connecting with local public library
    LANGUAGE LEARNING AND THE MEDIA CENTER
    Information Literacy forms a basis for lifelong learning and is common to all disciplines and
    learning environments. At Fickett Elementary School, the media center supports, extends, and

    Written: March 11, 2020
    Reviewed and Revised: October 20, 2023

    individualizes the school’s curriculum. The media center offers equitable access to books and
    reading, to information, and to information technology. In the media center, all stakeholders
    have access to a database that contains professional material, scholarly articles, newspapers
    and magazines in multiple languages. Services are also offered to assist parents with
    information literacy, formatting for source citations, research skills as well as printing and
    copying.
    SUPPORT FOR ALL LEARNERS
    If a student is identified with additional learning needs including language difficulties or gifted
    and talented abilities, intervention and support are provided through the Multi-Tiered Student
    Support Team in line with the referral process. The Student Support Specialist works with
    teachers to help meet the needs of students identified with special language learning needs.
    This support may be formalized through an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and may
    involve short and long term interventions. If students speak English as a second or additional
    language, the ESOL Department works closely with the Student Support Specialist and other
    teachers to provide the best service for the child.
    PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
    Teachers and support staff are provided opportunities to review and revise the language
    curriculum, including the ELA Scope and Sequence and the Programme of Inquiry. Staff will
    visit other classrooms or IB schools to observe implementation of the language curriculum
    firsthand. Teachers are also encouraged to seek out additional professional development
    opportunities that will increase his or her personal knowledge as well as add to that of the
    school community.
    COMMUNICATION OF LANGUAGE POLICY
    The language policy will be introduced to the Fickett community through staff meetings, PTA
    meetings, grade level meetings, Curriculum Nights, Newsletters, RoboCalls, etc. The policy will
    be displayed on the school’s Webpage. New staff will be introduced to the plan in Teacher
    Mentor training.
    REVIEW PROCESS
    The language policy will be reviewed annually to ensure that it aligns to the district’s
    curriculum, the school improvement plan, and IB requirements. The Leadership team will
    continuously review the implementation of the policy in classrooms and throughout the school
    as a part of the appraisal process.
    References:
    Beecher Hills Language Policy
    West Manor Language Policy

    Written: March 11, 2020
    Reviewed and Revised: October 20, 2023