The St. John the Baptist Parish Public School District recently recognized its top English Language Learners.
These students are learning English while also striving to master content standards to help them be successful on the state standardized assessments and in their daily school activities.
The Top 3 English Language Learners in the district are Ruben Hernandez, first place with a 291 scale score improvement; Daphne Mejia, second place with a 243 scale score improvement; and Steven Wang, third place with a 229 scale score improvement.
Top performers at Emily C. Watkins Elementary are kindergartner Daphne Mejia, first place; second-grader Kevin Zunun, second place; and first-grader Ian Gonzales, third place.
Top performers at East St. John Elementary are third-grader Rainiere Pinales, first place; second-grader Duhans Pavon, second place; and fourth-grader Yariel Berrios, third place.
Top performers at Lake Pontchartrain Elementary are third-grader Ruben Hernandez, first place; second-grader Jared Galeano, second place; and second-grader Estrella Lara-Soto, third place.
Top performers at LaPlace Elementary are third-grader Steven Wang, first place; fourth-grader Jesus Guevara, second place; and first-grader Lucy Wang, third place.
Top performers at Fifth Ward Elementary are fifth-grader Jonatan Osorio, first place; fourth-grader Sydney Ramos, second grade; and first-grader Nicole Salmeron, third place.
Top performers at John L. Ory Communication Arts Magnet School are second-grader Angel Carpio, first place; second-grader Jireh Hall, second place; kindergartner Anthony Carrillo, third place.
The English Language Learners population in the St. John the Baptist Parish Public School District has been increasing steadily during the past five years. In response, the district has implemented several support systems, instructional strategies and academic programs to help English Language Learners be successful.
The district utilizes Imagine Learning, a computer-based resource for the English Language Learner. The program is designed to engage students in an award-winning language and literacy software program which features interactive content including activities, videos, songs and games. It’s research-based, instructionally differentiated and fun to use.
The English Language Teachers for the parish are Tasaman Carlin and Elizabeth Thompson.
“They both work very hard with our English Language learners,” said Erica Merrick, coordinator of the Title III Federal Program. “I am very proud of the support all the principals, regular education teachers and guidance counselors in our schools have been doing to ensure our English Language Learners receive what they need, both academically and socially.”