English Language Development

 
The English Language Development (ELD) Program supports children who are learning English. The goal of this program is to develop English language proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening for students with limited English proficiency. Classroom and ELD teachers collaborate to support student achievement and full access to the curriculum.
 
Students are identified for English language support based upon the BVSD Home Language Survey, which asks about a child’s home language background, and on an initial screening evaluation through the WIDA Consortium. Children who qualify are assessed annually with the Colorado ACCESS Assessment to determine growth in reading, writing, speaking, and listening until they achieve full proficiency in English. Additionally, their progress is assessed, recorded, and communicated to parents twice a year. As soon as the students do become fully proficient in English, they are monitored for two years, and then exited out of the program.
 
Families and Educators Together (FET)
FET, or Families and Educators Together, is a district supported group whose purpose is to support the school community's shared goals for the learning, success and well-being of every student by:  1) strengthening trust-based, reciprocal relationships between school staff and diverse families; 2) engaging in meaningful dialogue that centers the voices of family members whose identities and experiences are traditionally underrepresented and leads to cross-cultural learning; 3) equipping families with the information they need to navigate the school system and effectively advocate for their child's education; 4) helping educators discover more effective approaches to fostering connection and understanding the experiences of culturally and linguistically diverse families; 5) co-designing transformative action projects that remove barriers and lead to more inclusive, collaborative, and equitable school communities. 
 
Our goal as a FET Team this year is to make cross-cultural connections, learn about diverse perspectives, and find ways to support and celebrate each other, as well as improve our school and Fireside community.
Shelby Warshaw

Shelby Warshaw

Teacher

I am thrilled to be Fireside’s English Language Development Teacher! I have been in the district for 21 years, and began my journey at Fireside in 2009 as an ELD teacher. Over the years I have also taught kindergarten, third and fourth grades, and spent four years teaching at international schools in San Pedro Sula, Honduras and Quito, Ecuador. My passions in teaching include bringing mindfulness and an appreciation of diversity to my students, building relationships with my students and their families, and helping each one feel proud of who they are and accept others for being their authentic selves.

I am originally from Los Angeles, California, but spent most of my years growing up in Omaha, Nebraska. I moved to Boulder to attend CU and fell in love with living near the mountains. I received my BA in Kinesiology, and after spending a few years skiing in Steamboat, I returned to CU to earn my MA in Elementary Education with an emphasis on educating culturally and linguistically diverse students. I love to travel and visit far out places, getting to know the beauty of the world, it’s people, and diverse cultures. I also love to play outside and enjoy hiking, biking, skiing, yoga, photography, and discovering great campsites! I feel so fortunate to have an amazing family that loves to do all these adventures together! My husband is also a teacher, and we get so much joy from watching our kids, 13 & 15, develop into caring, adventurous, and responsible global citizens.