SPS Honors 120 Language Learners at Multilingual Learner Family Night

Eight students honored for achieving Spanish proficiency, 112 cited for English proficiency

SALEM (Nov. 19, 2024) – Salem Public Schools honored 120 students who achieved measurable proficiency in a second language at the Multilingual Learner Family Night Monday at the Saltonstall School Auditorium.

The first of three Multilingual Learner Family nights throughout the school year, more than 200 residents and SPS family members attended.

“It took a huge amount of outreach from our staff to make this happen,” said Andre Fonseca, Director of Multilingual Learner Education at SPS. “Our staff got on the phone and encouraged families to attend, some more than once. That personal touch drove our attendance. We wanted families to know their voices are being heard.”

Student work and artwork was on display throughout the auditorium and many teachers representing eight schools were in attendance to encourage their students.

Eight students at the dual language Bentley Academy Innovation School received certificates for achieving proficiency in Spanish while 112 students were honored for attaining proficiency in English.

To reach proficiency in Spanish, Bentley dual language scholars were required to score adequately on the LAS Links Assessment testing, which includes speaking, listening, reading and writing. 

Similarly, English learners entering the Multilingual Learner program at SPS were required to score at least a 4.2 (out of 6) in the speaking portion and a 3.9 in the literary portion of the ACCESS exam to reach Former English Learner (FEL) status.

“This is a process that can take 3-6 years to reach the minimum of 4.2,” Mr. Fonseca noted. “It was a big step for us to be able to celebrate Spanish proficiency as well.”

ML Family Nights are emblematic and consistent with the District’s 2023-26 Strategic Plan that particularly emphasizes elevating learning and belonging among its core values.

The next ML Family Nights are scheduled for Monday, Mar. 10 and Wednesday, June 11. The English Learner Parent Advisory Council (ELPAC) Virtual meetings are scheduled for Monday, Jan. 27, and Monday, May 19.

Below are the students who were honored Monday night:

Bentley Academy Innovation School Dual Language Spanish Proficiency Awards

• Luna Cabrera
• Hendrix Rowan-Seepo
• Benjamin Iregui Bernal
• Nicholas Vittini
• Valeska Subero Travieso
• Elisaias Arias Franco
• Anaya Jimenez Mota
• Elisa Zheng

Celebration of Former English Learners (FELs)

Bates Elementary School

• Jose Reyna Carrasco
• Elias Quintero Castro
• David Defreitas
• Nicholas Napolitano Dos Santos
• Santiago Fernandez
• Darius Frakulla
• Axel Mendoza Galan
• Nourien Hassan
• Berely Caceres Jimenez
• Jonas Mejia
• Lorvenica Tima Paul
• Emmanuel Pena
• Jailyn Rodriguez
• Dahigreny Gomez Rodriguez
• Sebasthien Gonzalez Santos
• Ayla Soares

Bentley Academy Innovation School

• Yuhanny Ramirez Ballesteros 
• Yudith Carvajal
• Jhoan Diaz
• Justin Olaverria Encarnacion
• Camille Amparo Espinosa
• Elisaias Arias Franco
• Azalea Gonzalez
• Pedro Henzo Gomes
• Taaseen Islam
• Adelle Reinoso Jimenez
• Tara Li
• Isabelle Madou
• Gianna Mejia
• Sharlene Castillo Munoz
• Gian Novas
• Za’kylie Paradis
• Kiana Rodriguez Pena
• Mariel Manana Rodriguez 
• Joniel Sanchez
• Jam Alvino Valdez

Carlton Innovation School

• Ruth Ayala
• Matthew Romero Kingsley
• Jayleen Melo
• Zaira Lemos Ruiz
• Sebastian Santos Trejo

Horace Mann Laboratory School

• Lavinya Rodrigues Barbosa
• Enmanuel de la Cruz Urena
• Lucca Ferreira
• Adriana Lopez Lopez
• Keila Lopez Lopez
• Eliana Aguilon Macario
• Kaymelee Morcelo
• Emiliano Martinez Ortega 
• Jexiel Febres Rosado
• Klarianys Febres Rosado
• Johnny San
• Neisha Catulle Thomas
• Daphne Santos Trindade 
• Isaily Gutierrez Veloz

Saltonstall School

• Jose Cruz Baez
• Kaba Mohamed
• Jose Luis Motino
• Alice Balbino Correa Bueno Oliveira
• Brihanny Bueno Ramirez
• Leanette Roman
• Jackeisy Reyes Tejeda
• Leyla Vidal

Witchcraft Heights Elementary School

• Asaph Lopes Alves
• Djamir Jean-Baptiste 
• Djamira Jean-Baptiste
• Mel Mesa Castillo
• Bernardo Duarte Colen
• Luis David Nataren Guzman
• Indra Merida Jacobo
• Yiriannis Gonzalez Maria
• Johan Matul Merida
• Noah Pleitez Moreno
• Arianna Rubiera-Genao
• Eliot Garcia Santos
• Felipe Ferreira Silva
• Vinicius João Alves Souza

Collins Middle School

• Dairi Herrera Alejo
• Alice de Almeida
• Kiara Janice Gomes de Cruz
• Carla Macario De Leon
• Sleyre Infante
• Elisa Lopez Matul
• Rebeca Pedroso e Oliveira
• Davi Pereira Pinto
• Melissa Landaverde Pleitez
• Nikaury Corcino Ortiz
• Julia Das Dores Silva 

Salem High School

• Angel Galeas Barahona
• Axel Reyes Bisono
• Arnelis Devarieux Concepcion
• Carlos Carvajal Diaz
• Dislenny Garcia Jerez
• Midasendjie Jeune
• Alvin Laurent
• John Medina Ortiz
• Waskelly Veloz Pena
• Alexis Josmil Canela Reinoso
• Karelis Saez Rivera
• Daniel Schneider
• Daniela Trytiak
• Sayelhi Veloz

About Salem Public Schools

Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district in Salem, Massachusetts. Salem is a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Our leaders and our teachers are all passionate about education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement with equity and social-emotional needs as the lens we view all of our work through. We respect and value the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our students and their families, and have a strong commitment to the Salem community. Salem Public Schools staff serve all of our students, regardless of ability or language. Salem Public Schools enrolls approximately 4,000 students across its eleven schools.