Hudson Valley RBERN Update

HV RBERN Professional Learning Opportunities

Hudson Valley Learning Exchange Visits - District Intervisitation Initiative

Join us for the Hudson Valley Learning Exchange Visits, where districts across the region come together to learn from each other's programs and approaches. Each visit focuses on a specific topic in ENL or bilingual education, offering opportunities for both visiting and hosting districts to share ideas, ask questions, and exchange valuable feedback. These visits are designed to foster collaboration and inspire new insights that can enhance programs across the Hudson Valley region.

Scheduled visits for the 2026-2027 school year are linked below. Visit space is limited; if a visit fills up, please join the Wait List, and we will contact you if space becomes available. 

Please direct any questions to Rachael Wasilewski, Assistant Director, HV RBERN, at rwasilewski-alcantar@swboces.org.

• 10/16/26 Hudson Valley Learning Exchange Visits - North Rockland CSD Dual Language Elementary Programs

• 10/20/26 Hudson Valley Learning Exchange Visits: Ossining UFSD Dual Language Program

• 11/13/26 Hudson Valley Learning Exchange Visits - Peekskill CSD - Co-Teaching ENL/ELA Intervisitation Visit - Oakside Elementary School

• 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, 1/22/27, 3/19/27 Integrated ENL Co-Teaching - 3-Part Series - at Southern Westchester 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

• 12/8/26 Two Regulations, One Child: Part 154 Meets Part 200 - at Ulster BOCES

2026-2027 Hudson Valley Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute (PR/HYLI) Cohort registration is closing soon!

Applications Close: Friday, September 25, 2026

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

Other Professional Learning Opportunities

Initiative on Immigration and Education

Teaching Immigration with PreK–5th Grade Children’s Literature

This professional learning opportunity invites educators to explore how children’s books can serve as powerful tools for teaching about immigration, identity, and belonging in early childhood and elementary classrooms. 

Educators will earn a total of fifteen (15) hours of CTLE credits upon successful completion of the course.

Course Dates and Details: 

• IN-PERSON | Wednesday, October 14, 2026, 6:00-8:30 PM

Only the first session (10/14) will be held in-person at:
The City College of New York
160 Convent Avenue
NAC 6/204 (North Academic Center)
New York, NY 10031

• REMOTE | Wednesday, October 28, 2026, 6:00-8:30 PM

• REMOTE | Wednesday, November 4, 2026, 6:00-8:30 PM

The course includes an additional 6.5 hours of asynchronous group and independent work. 

The deadline for registration is September 29, 2026.

Confirmation emails will be sent on October 5, 2026.

Resources

New York State Education Department

2026-2027 Comprehensive ELL Education Plan: Due October 31, 2026

• The 2026-2027 Comprehensive ELL Education Plan (CEEP) form has been posted in the SED Business Portal and is now available for completion by school districts.

• This year’s CEEP is to be completed electronically through the SED Business Portal.

• To assist districts in completing the revised CEEP, a detailed Submission Guide has been provided. We strongly encourage districts to review this guide carefully, as it offers valuable insights and instructions to inform responses.

• The CEEP is due by October 31, 2026.

• Questions can be directed to the Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages at OBEWL@nysed.gov.

High-Quality ELL Parent Orientation

A high-quality ELL parent orientation is an essential first step in building strong, informed partnerships with multilingual families. This resource highlights essential information and additional considerations to help districts design parent orientations that promote transparency, belonging, meaningful family engagement, and partnership.

National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition (NCELA)

English Learner Family Toolkit

As a new school year gets underway, the English Learner Family Toolkit Tip Sheets offer a simple way to share practical information with parents and guardians of English learners (ELs). The tip sheets provide key information from the English Learner Family Toolkit in an easy-to-use format that can be printed, shared, and incorporated into family engagement and professional learning activities.

SCDN/OBEWL First Annual New York State Spelling Bee Competition

More details will be shared soon!

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

2026 HV RBERN Conference Call for Proposals - Deadline extended!

2026 HV RBERN Conference Call for Proposals

Connecting Initiatives to Outcomes: Supporting Multilingual Learners through Innovative Practices

CALL FOR WORKSHOP PROPOSALS

Submission Deadline Extended: Friday, September 18, 2026

Conference Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Location: Manhattanville University, 2900 Purchase St, Purchase, NY 10577

The Hudson Valley RBERN is pleased to announce we are holding a conference for educators of ELLs on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. The conference theme is Connecting Initiatives to Outcomes: Supporting Multilingual Learners through Innovative Practices.

We invite Hudson Valley educators of ELLs to submit proposals for workshop sessions to highlight the educational expertise and innovation happening in our classrooms and schools. Workshop session proposals should be submitted no later than Friday, September 18, 2026. Click the link below for the proposal form.

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

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.