Hudson Valley RBERN Update

HV RBERN Professional Learning Opportunities

• 9/4/26 Informational Session for PR/HYLI Districts and School Personnel - via Zoom

• 9/10/26 Informational Session for PR/HYLI Districts and School Personnel - via Zoom

• 9/23/26, 10/28/26, 12/9/26 Integrated ENL Co-Teaching - 3-Part Series - at Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES

• 9/24/26, 12/10/26, 2/26/27 Integrated ENL Co-Teaching - 3-Part Series - at Ulster BOCES

• 9/24/26 Making the Portrait Accessible: How the Six Attributes Show Up for English Language Learners - at Rockland BOCES

• 10/1/26, 12/8/26, 2/4/27 Integrated ENL Co-Teaching - 3-Part Series - at Orange-Ulster BOCES

• 10/1/26 Strategies for Instruction and Assessment of ELLs - at Orange-Ulster BOCES

• 10/6/26, 1/26/27, 3/16/27 A Dynamic Duo: Teachers & School Librarians - Series of 3 Sessions - at Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES

• 10/6/26 Looking Beyond Language Difference and Disability: Pre-Referral Considerations for Multilingual Learners - at Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES

• 10/7/26 Introduction to the Multilingual Literacy SIFE (MLS) Screener - via Zoom

• 10/13/26, 1/14/27, 3/9/27 A Dynamic Duo: Teachers & School Librarians - Series of 3 Sessions - for Ulster, Dutchess & Sullivan BOCES - at SENYLRC, Highland & Ulster BOCES

• 10/14/26 Multilingual Literacy SIFE (MLS) Screener Student Performance Report Training - via Zoom

• 10/27/2026 Looking Beyond Language Difference and Disability: Pre-Referral Considerations for Multilingual Learners - at Sullivan BOCES

• 11/12/26 Looking Beyond Language Difference and Disability: Pre-Referral Considerations for Multilingual Learners - at Ulster BOCES

• 11/13/26 Looking Beyond Language Difference and Disability: Pre-Referral Considerations for Multilingual Learners - at Orange-Ulster BOCES

• 11/17/26, 1/7/27, 3/11/27 A Dynamic Duo: Teachers & School Librarians - Series of 3 Sessions - at Orange-Ulster BOCES

• 12/3/26 Making the Portrait Accessible: How the Six Attributes Show Up for English Language Learners - at Orange-Ulster BOCES

• 12/3/26 Strategies for Instruction and Assessment of ELLs - at Rockland BOCES

Resources

WIDA Assessments

WIDA has recently updated their NY Webpage. Please visit to find the latest information including testing dates, the WIDA Access Checklist, and professional development opportunities. 

Highlights: (See the WIDA NY Page for Exact Dates and Full Info)

• Secure Portal available beginning 9/9

• Test Ordering in October

• Testing materials arriving in January

• Testing window begins 2/1

• Testing Window Closes 4/9

NERIC Testing has put together this WIDA- Need To Know as a quick reference to help synthesize information and help your district keep on track. At this time, please pay specific attention to items 1-3 to stay informed and have the necessary access to the system.

WIDA Test Coordinator & WIDA Portal Login Rollout

• OSA asked superintendents through the Business Portal to designate a district ELL Test Coordinator (TC) by June 30, 2026. If no one was designated, the superintendent will automatically serve as TC.

• Login credentials are expected beginning in September, with Test Coordinators receiving priority access so they can order materials and upload student rosters.

• Access will likely occur in waves rather than all at once.

• Potential complications include districts where the superintendent did not designate a TC, has since left/retired, or is unaware that they became the default coordinator.

• After September 1, staff with access questions should first be referred to their district Test Coordinator.

• Educators do not need to rush into assessment training. For hand-scored assessments, training is best completed closer to administration so the information is fresh.

• The NYS WIDA webpage will be updated soon with additional dates and rollout information.

Please take a moment to look at the WIDA Roadmap by clicking here.

New York State Education Department

High Quality Parent Orientation

This resource highlights essential information and additional considerations to help districts design parent orientations that promote transparency, belonging, meaningful family engagement, and partnership.

High Quality ELL Parent Orientation

Career Opportunities

Ardsley School District

• Part-time English as a New Language Teacher/Teacher of Multilingual Learners

Candidates should apply on the Ardsley District Home Page. There is a tab titled Careers. Job opportunities will be listed there. Candidates can create a username and password there and complete an online application.

Please contact the HV RBERN for support or with any questions you may have.

Hudson Valley RBERN Update

HV RBERN Professional Learning Opportunities

• 9/1/26, 11/13/26, 1/22/27 Integrated ENL Co-Teaching - 3-Part Series - at Southern Westchester BOCES

• 9/4/26 Informational Session for PR/HYLI Districts and School Personnel - via Zoom

• 9/10/26 Informational Session for PR/HYLI Districts and School Personnel - via Zoom

• 9/23/26, 10/28/26, 12/9/26 Integrated ENL Co-Teaching - 3-Part Series - at Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES

• 9/24/26 Making the Portrait Accessible: How the Six Attributes Show Up for English Language Learners - at Rockland BOCES

• 10/1/26 Strategies for Instruction and Assessment of ELLs - at Orange-Ulster BOCES

• 10/6/26, 1/26/27, 3/16/27 A Dynamic Duo: Teachers & School Librarians - Series of 3 Sessions - at Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES

• 10/6/26 Looking Beyond Language Difference and Disability: Pre-Referral Considerations for Multilingual Learners - at Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES

• 10/7/26 Introduction to the Multilingual Literacy SIFE (MLS) Screener - via Zoom

• 10/13/26, 1/14/27, 3/9/27 A Dynamic Duo: Teachers & School Librarians - Series of 3 Sessions - for Ulster, Dutchess & Sullivan BOCES - at SENYLRC, Highland & Ulster BOCES

• 10/14/26 Multilingual Literacy SIFE (MLS) Screener Student Performance Report Training - via Zoom

• 10/27/2026 Looking Beyond Language Difference and Disability: Pre-Referral Considerations for Multilingual Learners - at Sullivan BOCES

• 11/13/26 Looking Beyond Language Difference and Disability: Pre-Referral Considerations for Multilingual Learners - at Orange-Ulster BOCES

• 11/17/26, 1/7/27, 3/11/27 A Dynamic Duo: Teachers & School Librarians - Series of 3 Sessions - at Orange-Ulster BOCES

• 12/3/26 Strategies for Instruction and Assessment of ELLs - at Rockland BOCES

Other Professional Learning Opportunities

Fall 2026 MLS Trainings

The MLS Info Session helps school and district level administrators identify if the MLS is the best SIFE intake tool for their school community.

• September 25, 2026 from 1:00-1:30 PM. [Register for this training.] Hosted by the MLS Team.

The MLS New User Trainings provide users with an overview of the MLS tool, a website walkthrough and a review of the state SIFE identification process.

• September 16, 2026 3:00-4:30 PM. [Register for this training.] Hosted by the NYC RBERN at Fordham University; CTLE Credit available.

• October 7, 2026 12:00-1:15 PM. [Register for this training.] Hosted by the Hudson Valley RBERN; CTLE Credit available.

• November 18, 2026 3:00-4:15 PM. [Register for this training.] Hosted by the Capital District RBERN; CTLE Credit available.

The MLS Reports Training is a guided walkthrough of MLS Student Performance Reports, followed by instructional strategies for using results to support newcomer students.

• October 14, 2026 12:00-1:30 PM. [Register for this training.] Hosted by the Hudson Valley RBERN.

The MLS Website Walkthrough is a guided session highlighting key features, navigating the MLS site, and resources, with opportunities to ask questions.

• October 21, 2026 12:00-1:00 PM. [Register for this training.] Hosted by the MLS Team.

MLS trainings are free and open to K-12 educators in New York State. More information about the MLS is available in their Help Center.

Initiative on Immigration and Education

VIRTUAL LAUNCH | Teaching at the Intersection of Immigration and Education: A Guide for Higher Education Faculty

Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 12:00-1:00 PM

Authored by Rachel Duff and Ariana Mangual Figueroa, this guide is aimed at supporting higher education faculty who seek to integrate themes of immigration into their education courses. Participants will hear from CUNY-IIE Faculty Fellows who have redesigned their syllabi with immigration and education in mind.

Dominican University New York

Fast-Track Your Bilingual Certification This Fall

Bilingual Extension Certification Program – Info Sessions Now Open

Dominican University of New York (DUNY) is offering an online, bilingual extension certification program for teacher candidates seeking to expand their credentials to better serve multilingual students. The 12-credit program runs in two convenient 8-week sessions (9/14–11/6 and 11/16–1/8/27) at a reduced tuition rate of $550/credit, with no application or registration fees. Qualified completers will meet NYSED coursework requirements for certification by January.

Learn more about the program: Program Details

Free Info Sessions are being held twice weekly via Zoom.

Resources

WIDA Assessments

WIDA has recently updated their NY webpage. Please visit to find the latest information including testing dates, the WIDA Access Checklist, and professional development opportunities. 

Highlights: (See the WIDA NY Page for Exact Dats and Full Info)

• Secure Portal available beginning 9/9

• Test Ordering in October

• Testing materials arriving in January

• Testing window begins 2/1

• Testing Window Closes 4/9

NERIC Testing has put together this WIDA- Need To Know as quick reference to help synthesize information and help your district keep on track. At this time, please pay specific attention to items 1-3 to stay informed and have the necessary access to the system.

WIDA Test Coordinator & WIDA Portal Login Rollout

• OSA asked superintendents through the Business Portal to designate a district ELL Test Coordinator (TC) by June 30, 2026. If no one was designated, the superintendent will automatically serve as TC.

• Login credentials are expected beginning in September, with Test Coordinators receiving priority access so they can order materials and upload student rosters.

• Access will likely occur in waves rather than all at once.

• Potential complications include districts where the superintendent did not designate a TC, has since left/retired, or is unaware that they became the default coordinator.

• After September 1, staff with access questions should first be referred to their district Test Coordinator.

• Educators do not need to rush into assessment training. For hand-scored assessments, training is best completed closer to administration so the information is fresh.

• The NYS WIDA webpage will be updated soon with additional dates and rollout information.

Please take a moment to look at the WIDA Roadmap:

Please contact the HV RBERN for support or with any questions you may have.

2026-2027 Hudson Valley Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute (PR/HYLI) Cohort

We are excited to announce the launch of the 2026-2027 Hudson Valley Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute (PR/HYLI) Cohort!

What is PRHYLI?

The Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute (PR/HYLI) is a FREE 30-hour leadership development program for Hispanic/Latino high school students in New York State. Through engaging workshops and statewide events, students will:

• Network with peers and community leaders

• Develop public speaking and critical thinking skills

• Learn parliamentary procedures and debate bills

In-Person Training Sessions

All sessions will run from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM:

• Session 1: October 15, 2026 - Manhattanville University

• Session 2: November 10, 2026 - Vassar College

• Session 3: December 15, 2026 - SUNY New Paltz

• Session 4: January 12, 2027 - SUNY Purchase

• Session 5: February 9, 2027 - Dominican University

Special Events:

• November 19, 2026: Senior Field Trip to NYS Assembly (Participating senior student delegates; maximum of 45 students)

• March 2, 2027: Students invited to PR/HYLI Weekend – Rockland Community College

• PR/HYLI Weekend: TBD; Albany, NY (50 selected students)

• PR/HYLI Reunion: TBD

Key Application Dates:

• Applications Open: Thursday, August 13, 2026

• Applications Close: Friday, September 25, 2026

Virtual Informational Sessions (Please register for one only)

• 9/4/26 Informational Session for PR/HYLI Districts and School Personnel - via Zoom

• 9/10/26 Informational Session for PR/HYLI Districts and School Personnel - via Zoom

This is an incredible opportunity to gain leadership experience, build lifelong connections, and represent your community in Albany! Thank you for helping us share this opportunity and supporting the next generation of Hispanic leaders.

Best regards,

Hudson Valley Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network (HV RBERN) Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Facilitators