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English as a Second Language (ESL)
Welcome Parents, Students and Families!
The Mt. Healthy City School District extends a warm “Welcome” to all parents of enrolled English Learners (ELs) and their families. EL students are defined as those whose native language or home language is other than English. It is our goal as a district to support our EL students on their endeavor to learn and grow. We, as a community, value all of our students and their life experiences and are dedicated to helping each student achieve their full potential.
The information on this web page is provided as a summary of the Mt. Healthy City School District’s EL Program, and to explain the rights of parents of enrolled EL students. We encourage you to reach out for additional information.
Mt. Healthy ESL Program Contact Information
Mrs. Christin McCormick, EL Coordinator
Mt. Healthy City School District
7615 Harrison Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45231
cmccormick@mthcs.org
(513) 728-7628
Brief Description Mt. Healthy ESL Program
The purpose of the EL Program in Mt. Healthy City Schools is to help EL students gain needed experience in linguistic, cultural, and academic skills, and to ensure that each student receives an educational opportunity equal to that provided to peers. This is accomplished by regular collaboration between general education teachers and the EL staff. Program elements include EL identification and enrollment, service delivery, progress monitoring, parent outreach and communication, and exiting of students. The EL teachers and general education personnel are committed to continuously learning how to improve teaching and learning for all students through participation in staff professional development opportunities to ensure students are provided with the best educational experience possible. Parent communication and involvement is vital to student success, and is encouraged and welcomed.
The English Learner (EL) Program services over 175 students who speak more than 15 different languages. Mt Healthy offers a variety of instructional services for EL students to be successful in their grade level academic classes. Students' success is supported through pull out classes, inclusion in regular classrooms, and individual tutoring. Students are initially screened using the Ohio English Language Proficiency Screener (OELPS). English language proficiency is assessed annually by Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment (OELPA).
Mt. Healthy EL Program Philosophy
Our goal at Mt. Healthy City Schools is to prepare multilingual students for the rigors of a Mt. Healthy education by ensuring that they develop the language skills necessary to be successful in any classroom, as well as in the community at large. Our mission is to enable students of diverse language backgrounds to develop the linguistic, cognitive, cultural, and self-concept skills necessary for success both now as well as in their future endeavors in college, career, and life. Our goal is to provide a culturally and linguistically responsive education with the supports needed to ensure equitable access to opportunities that promote language acquisition and lifelong learning.
WE BELIEVE:
1. The ability to speak more than one language is a valuable asset, and one that should be recognized as such, therefore teachers and classmates should value students’ linguistic and cultural background and assist them in their transition to school and district norms.
2. Linguistically diverse students require extensive opportunities to understand, speak, read, and write English in order to realize their full potential within the context of schooling and society at large and shall be provided with such daily.
3. The most successful programs are those that develop a positive self-concept in each student while they continue to develop their English proficiency.
4. Teachers must have high expectations of all students, regardless of the student's background or academic preparation.
5. Students must have access to multiple pathways through which they can experience success and teachers have the responsibility of ensuring they are awarded those opportunities.
Summary of EL Parent Rights
Parents of English Language Learners have the right to:
Know of their child’s identification as an EL student
Have their child participate in all educational opportunities including extra-curricular and to not be denied access because of language or cultural background
Participate in developing and giving feedback about the EL Program throughout the year as well as annually via the EL Program Annual Evaluation
Be involved in meaningful ways in their child’s education to assist their children in learningEnglish, aiding their child to achieve at high levels; and help them meet the state’s challenging academic content and achievement standards
Receive communication in a uniform format and in a language understood by them, to the extent feasible, and to request interpreters and translation services when needed
“Opt out” of the EL Program (decline services)
Please refer to the website “Parent Portal” for additional information describing the rights of all parents of children enrolled in schools operating as Title I School-wide buildings (all Mt. Healthy City School District schools).
Mt. Healthy EL Program Staff
The Mt. Healthy City School District is dedicated to providing highly qualified staff who are committed to educating and nurturing English Learners in their educational careers.
Name Building Grade-Level
Marcus Davis Mt. Healthy High School 9-12
Monica Lowy Mt. Healthy High School Bilingual Paraprofessional
Jennifer Henz Mt. Healthy Junior High School 7-8
Susan Hack Mt. Healthy North Elementary 4-6
Corrine Cicale Mt. Healthy North Elementary 1-3
Morgan Craig Mt. Healthy South Elementary 1-6
Denise Dean-Evans Mt. Healthy South Elementary 1-6
Rosalina Martinez-Polanco Mt. Healthy South Elementary Bilingual Parent Liaison
Elsa Reverendo Mt. Healthy Early Learning Center Kindergarten
Daniela Gutierrez Mt. Healthy Early Learning Center Bilingual Parent Liaison
Karen Rosen District office Bilingual Secretary
Christin McCormick District Office EL Coordinator