Back-to-School Newsletter for English Learner Families

Families of English learner students often arrive at the new school year with a combination of hope and uncertainty. They want their child to succeed in English and in school, and they may not fully understand the services available to support that success. A back-to-school newsletter from the EL teacher or program coordinator, written in accessible language and translated into the family's home language, answers the questions families have before they know how to ask them.

Describe how EL services are delivered

Explain the program model: pull-out, push-in, co-teaching, sheltered instruction, or a combination. Tell families how often their child works with the EL teacher, what those sessions focus on, and how the EL teacher coordinates with the classroom teacher. Many families do not understand how EL services fit into the school day and a clear description reduces anxiety about what their child is missing when they leave the classroom.

Explain the assessment and placement process

Walk families through how EL proficiency is measured. What tests are used, approximately when they happen, and how results affect service level. Tell families that placement is reviewed regularly and can change based on progress. For new students, describe the initial assessment process and what to expect.

State family rights clearly

Families of EL students have specific rights under federal law: the right to refuse EL services, the right to information about their child's language proficiency and progress, and the right to participate in decisions about their child's language program. One paragraph naming these rights in plain language is both a compliance requirement and a genuine service to families.

Support home language use

One of the most common concerns EL families raise is whether they should stop speaking their home language to help their child learn English faster. Address this directly: "Continue speaking your home language with your child at home. A child who is strong in their first language learns English more effectively. Reading to your child in your home language supports their English learning at school."

Make yourself available and approachable

Close with your contact information and a clear invitation to reach out. If interpreter support is available for meetings and calls, mention it. "I want to work with your family this year. If you have questions about your child's English learning, please contact me by email or phone. I can arrange an interpreter for our conversation."