b'where they really are notusedtobeing veryinvolvedwith school,whereas, here, and in general in the United States, youre expected to be heavilyinvolved, Simpson explains.Come Learn with Us Wewantedto level the playing field tohelpourparentsNurturingtrustworthyInspiring of ELLs to be able toadventurousthoughtfuldo that for their kidsA new program that helped non-English-speaking parents as well. learn English and navigate the South Orange-Maplewood School District met in person at Columbia High School before EileenCollinsthe pandemic. They watched videos and took part in role-Academic and play-based learning and intentionalNeri,executivedi- playing exercises to prepare for parent-teacher conferences. teachingrectorofAchieve, High staff to child ratiossaysnottoomany Services for children 6 months - 6 years old Achieve grants support families; mostrange of proficiency levels among our On-site RN grantsaretargetedatstudents.But,parents, Simpson says. I brought in State-licensed she says, helping parents better navi- one of the teachers from the elemen-Convenient location:1/2 mile from the South Orange gateandunderstandtheirchildrenstary school to explain more about the Train Station and downtown. On-site parking for pickschool is something that has a directconferences.up and drop off.impact on students. Clinton parent Daniela Chamorro7:00 am - 6:30 pm, Monday-FridayThe children of parents who aresaideverythingshelearnedwasvery more involved in their school tend tohelpful.have better outcomes, she says. ThisThe program has been of great help is going to have better outcomes forto be able to communicate with other401 Valley Street, South Orange | 973.378.5906 | info@villagebabies.comeveryone.Familieswillbehappier;people, she says, adding that at each kids will be happier. class, they learned new things and put them into practiceWe keep you smiling!at home with our children.U n f o r t u -nately,whenthe COVID-19pan- Everyeffortismadeto demicshutteredensuretheutmostcomfort for each patient.schoolsinmid-March 2020, theEnjoy a modern professional program went onenvironmentandacaring hiatus,Simpsonstaff.said,explainingAs a former faculty member thatthefocusatof Fairleigh Dickinson Dental thetimewasonSchool, Dr. Wisz now devotes gettingChrome- all her time to private practice.When the program was in person, parents met in a CHS class- booksandhot room decorated with flags from every country. spotstoevery studentwho TheprogramstartedinFebru- needed them.hang of the new tech- Wendy Wisz, DMDary 2020, in a classroom of Colum- Eventually, though, everyone start-bia High School decorated with flagsed to get the from every country. They held aboutnology and Simpson said they beganGeneral, Restorative & Cosmetic Dentistrysixweeklymeetings,includingonediscussing how to transition the parent where parents watched a video aboutprogramintoanonlineclass,which how to prepare for the upcoming par- began in January 2021 with Clinton250 Millburn Avenue | Millburnent-teacher conferences and then splitELL teacher Antoinette Gelin teach- 973-467-0077up to role-play discussions they mighting alongside Simpson. Saturdays and Evenings Availablehave with their childs teacher. At that time, it was really usefulOn site parking | Convenient locationWe had a lively classroom with abecauseourdistrictwasshiftingto feature story /35'