English Language Development

The English Language Development (ELD) Program supports children learning English at our school. The goal of this support is to develop English Language Proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing for students with limited English proficiency. Classroom and ELD teachers collaborate to support student achievement and full access to the curriculum.

Identification and Assessment at Foothill:

Students are identified for English language development support based upon the BVSD Home Language Survey and an initial screening assessment. Children who qualify will be assessed annually with the Colorado ACCESS assessment to determine growth in listening, speaking, reading, and writing until they achieve full proficiency in English. Our goal is to support them in their biliteracy and to celebrate all of their language skills.
 

Academic Support:

All classroom teachers are trained in strategies to support diverse learners and to help students acquire biliteracy by learning english in a predominantly English-speaking classroom environment. In addition, students served in the ELD program have access to co-taught instruction four days per week to focus on developing reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills across content areas. All instruction at Foothill Elementary focuses on challenging students of all ages and linguistic and cultural backgrounds to achieve their potential in all areas. 

Family and Community:​

Foothill Elementary provides interpreters, as needed, at most school events and at Parent-Teacher conferences. School and community resources are made available through our front office staff, our counseling team and our bilingual staff. Everyone at Foothill is here to help. All families are encouraged to take part in the Foothill Community!

"He spoke... It wasn't how I spoke; He held my hand, it wasn't the color of my hand. But when he laughed, it was how I laughed... When he cried, it was how I cried..." – Anonymous