Academics

The Amity Regional School District provides students with rigorous, engaging, and supportive learning experiences through a strong academic program. Explore information about curriculum, assessments, instructional supports, and programs designed to support student success.

Curriculum

Curriculum serves as a comprehensive blueprint for effective teaching and learning, rooted in content and performance standards. It goes beyond a simple list of topics or key facts and instead maps out a pathway to achieve desired student outcomes.

What is Curriculum?

View current curriculum documents and learn more about curriculum development.

View AMS Curriculum Document

View ARHS Curriculum Document

A WELL-DESIGNED CURRICULUM:

Shapes content into engaging and effective learning plans.
Incorporates appropriate activities that help students achieve long-term goals.
Follows a backward design approach, focusing on three stages: Desired Results, Evidence, and Learning Plan.

By aligning learning activities with clear goals and outcomes, the curriculum ensures that teaching is purposeful and impactful.

Key Components

Effective curriculum design integrates several key elements to foster student success, including:

Standards Alignment: Connecting content and performance standards to guide instruction.
Engaging Learning Activities: Supporting students in reaching desired outcomes through active and meaningful participation.
Backward Planning: Designing instruction with the end goals in mind to ensure all components work cohesively.

These components work together to create a framework that supports rigorous, equitable, and inclusive education for all students.

Portrait of the Graduate

The Portrait of The Graduate

A Portrait of the Graduate outlines the skills, knowledge, and dispositions that students across all grade levels should have. It is a promise that our educators make to ALL our students to prepare our students for the world beyond school. Additionally, a Portrait of the Graduate should reflect what our community values for our graduates.

Learn More About BOWA's Portrait of The Graduate

The Role of Curriculum Council

Leading the development and refinement of curriculum in our district is the Curriculum Council—a dedicated group of educators focused on ensuring high-quality instructional content. Key features of the council include:

A team of teacher leaders trained in Understanding by Design (UbD) principles.
A commitment to enhancing written curriculum to align with best practices, the district’s Portrait of the Graduate, and the needs of diverse learners.
A collaborative approach to creating a curriculum that is rigorous, inclusive, and equitable, enriching the learning experience for all students.

Through their expertise and dedication, the Curriculum Council ensures that our curriculum reflects the highest standards and prepares students for success in school and beyond.

Multilingual Learner (ML) Program

We are committed to providing multilingual learners with the language instruction and support they need to be successful in school while participating in grade-level learning alongside their peers. We value the languages, cultures, and experiences our students bring to our schools and believe these strengths enrich our entire school community. By working together with families, teachers, and students, we strive to help every multilingual learner grow academically, linguistically, socially, and emotionally.

Program Mission & Philosophy

Our Mission

The mission of the Amity Regional School District Multilingual Learner Program is to support multilingual learners as they develop the language, academic, and social skills needed to succeed in school and beyond. Through innovative instruction, personalized support, and a nurturing environment, we inspire a love for learning while fostering confidence and inclusivity. We are committed to providing equitable access to learning while recognizing and valuing each student's language, culture, and experiences.

Our Philosophy

At Amity, we believe every student's language, culture, and experiences are valuable and contribute to our school community. We are committed to helping multilingual learners develop their English language skills while continuing to value and build on their home language. We believe all multilingual learners can be successful when they receive high-quality instruction, appropriate language support, and are held to high expectations. Our goal is to provide students with the support they need to fully participate in grade-level learning and all aspects of school life. Supporting multilingual learners is a shared responsibility. From the time students enroll until they graduate, teachers, administrators, counselors, and support staff work together with students and families to create a welcoming learning environment, reduce language barriers, celebrate cultural diversity, and help every student succeed.

Program Model & Goals

Program Model

The Amity Regional School District's Multilingual Learner Program provides English language instruction and support to help students build the language skills they need to be successful in school. Services are designed to meet each student's individual English language proficiency level, academic needs, and educational background.

Depending on a student's needs, services may include:

Instruction focused on developing English language skills
Individual or small-group language support
Support within grade-level content classes
Collaboration between TESOL teachers and classroom teachers
Language goals aligned to the Connecticut English Language Proficiency (CELP) Standards
Ongoing monitoring of student progress

Instruction focuses on helping students develop skills in:

Listening
Speaking
Reading
Writing
Academic language across all content areas

Our goal is to help multilingual learners build confidence, become more independent, and actively participate in classroom learning.

Program Goals

The goal of the Multilingual Learner Program is to help students develop the English language skills they need to be successful in school while continuing to value and build on their home language.

Through the ML Program, students will:

Build skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English.
Develop the academic language needed to succeed in all subject areas.
Increase their confidence using English in both academic and social settings.
Expand their academic vocabulary.
Participate actively in grade-level learning.
Strengthen communication skills while continuing to value and maintain their home language.
Develop the language skills needed to become independent learners and prepare for college, careers, and life after high school.

A flowchart detailing the ML program process, with steps like enrollment, language screening, and parent notification, is presented against a light blue background.

Eligibility for Services

Students may qualify for the Multilingual Learner Program based on several factors, including:

A Home Language Survey indicating that a language other than English is spoken by the student or in the home.
Results from the LAS Links English Language Proficiency Screener.
Parent input and interviews.
Additional screening information, when appropriate.

If a student qualifies for ML services, parents or guardians will receive written notification that includes the student's assessment results, recommended services, and information about the ML Program.

Instruction Standards & Assessments

English Language Proficiency Assessment (LAS Links)

Students receiving Multilingual Learner services take the LAS Links English Language Proficiency Assessment each year.

LAS Links is the English language assessment used by the State of Connecticut to measure students' progress in developing English skills in four areas:

Listening
Speaking
Reading
Writing

The assessment helps teachers:

Monitor each student's English language development.
Plan instruction and language support.
Measure annual progress.
Determine when a student has met Connecticut's requirements to exit the ML Program.

Students continue taking the annual LAS Links assessment until they meet the state's exit criteria.

English Language Development Standards (CELP)

The Amity Regional School District uses the Connecticut English Language Proficiency (CELP) Standards to guide instruction for multilingual learners.

The CELP Standards help teachers support students as they develop the English language skills needed to:

Communicate effectively in school.
Participate in classroom discussions and learning activities.
Read and understand increasingly challenging texts.
Write for a variety of purposes and audiences.
Learn grade-level content across all subject areas.

The CELP Standards are used alongside Connecticut's academic standards to help teachers plan instruction that supports both English language development and academic success.

View CELP Standards Info for Families

View CELP Standards Introduction

New to Amity?

New to Amity? Welcome!

Starting at a new school can be both exciting and overwhelming for students and families. Whether your child is new to the United States or simply new to the Amity Regional School District, our Multilingual Learner (ML) Program is here to help make the transition as smooth as possible.

Our team helps students:

Learn school routines and expectations.
Become familiar with schedules and school procedures. Build their English language skills.
Get to know their teachers and classmates.
Access the academic support they need.
Feel welcomed and connected in their new school community.

Some students may have had interruptions in their education before enrolling in Amity. We work closely with students, families, and school staff to provide the support needed to help each student adjust and be successful.

Interpretation & Translation Services

Translation & Interpretation Services

Amity Regional School District values meaningful communication with all families.

Translation and interpretation services are available at no cost for families whose preferred language is not English.

Families may request:

Interpreters for meetings and conferences
Translation of important school documents
Phone interpretation
Assistance communicating with school staff

To request language assistance, please contact Nicole Raiola or Katie Beezer.

Home Language Matters

Your child's home language is an important part of who they are and one of their greatest strengths. Continuing to use and develop your child's home language helps support English language development, academic success, and strong family connections. We encourage families to continue speaking, reading, and learning together in their home language.

Ways to support your child

Read books together in your home language.
Tell family stories and share traditions.
Encourage conversations at home.
Visit your local library.
Watch educational programs together.
Celebrate your family's language and culture.

Learning English does not mean giving up another language. We encourage students to continue developing their home language while learning English.

Preparing Students for College, Career, and Life

The Multilingual Learner Program helps students build the English language skills they need to be successful in high school and prepare for life after graduation. As students grow in their English proficiency, they are better prepared to participate in challenging coursework, meet graduation requirements, and pursue their goals for college, careers, or other opportunities.

Our program helps students:

Build the English language skills needed for success in all subject areas.
Participate in grade-level classes with appropriate language support.
Build confidence in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
Meet graduation requirements.
Explore college and career opportunities.
Develop the skills to communicate, advocate for themselves, and become independent learners.

Resources

View CT Info for Families of El / ML Learners

View EL/ML Parent Bill of Rights

View Family Toolkit

View English Learners Info for Families

View Multilingual Reading Tip Sheet

View Tips to Support Language & Literacy at Home

View Video on Family Literacy at Home

View Bilingual Parent Resources

View Bilingual Parent Resources - Spanish

Frequently Asked Questions & Contact

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a Multilingual Learner (ML)?

2. What Assessments do Multilingual Learners Take?

3. What Assessment Supports are Available?

4. How Long does it Take to Learn English?

5. When Will My Child Exit the Multilingual Learner Program?

6. What Happens After My Child Exits the Program?

7. Can Parents Decline Multilingual Learner Services?

8. How can Families Support English Language Development at Home?

For questions about the EL/ML Program, Please Contact:

Nicole Raiola

Titles: TESOL Teacher

Email:

Contact

Phone Numbers:
School: 203-397-4181

Katherine Beezer

Titles: TESOL Teacher

Email:

Contact

Assessments

Through strategic alignment, reliable methods, and efficient practices, our assessment system supports a well-rounded evaluation of student achievement. By empowering teachers with actionable data and fostering collaboration with families, we ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive. Together, we aim to elevate the educational experience and contribute to the long-term success of all students.

Types of Assessments
Assessment Resources

Types of Assessments

The Amity Regional School District No. 5 district assessment system includes three key types of evaluations, each aligned with these guiding principles:

Formative Assessments: Conducted throughout the learning process, these assessments help teachers monitor understanding, adjust teaching strategies, and personalize instruction. Examples include observations, student discussions, short written responses, and student presentations.
Summative Assessments: These measure mastery of specific content after instruction, such as end-of-unit tests, midterms, finals, and standardized assessments like the Smarter Balanced Assessment and the Next Generation Science Assessment.
Universal Screenings: Administered at key points in the year for students in grades 7 & 8, these screening assessments monitor progress in reading and math against national benchmarks and assist in identifying students who may need additional support. These are not graded but serve as part of the district’s MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support) process.

Assessment Resources

Upcoming Amity Assessments

This Calendar only reflects Amity Assessments.

View Amity Assessment Calendar

Sep 14 2026

STAR Testing - Math

Department

Seth Davis

Titles: SIS Coordinator

Email:

Peter Downhour

Titles: School Climate Coordinator

Email:

Andrea Drewry

Titles: District Instructional Coach

Email:

Lisa Lassen

Titles: District Technology Coach

Email:

Pamela Pero

Titles: Administrative Assistant

Email:

Coach Descriptions

Instructional Technology Coach: Assist teachers with the effective use of technology to support teaching, pedagogy, and student learning

SIS Instructional Coach: Assist teacher with the effective use of the district's student information systems (PowerSchool & Schoology)

DEI Instructional Coach: Assist teachers with the effective integration of diversity, equity, and inclusion into the district's curriculum and instruction.

Reading/ELA Instructional Coach: Assist teachers with the effective implementation of district reading programs, specifically Reader's Workshop.