English Language Learners
Hello,
My name is Dr. Debbie Blackledge, and I am the English Learner Director in the Jones County School District. With our current number of English Learners (ELs), we have the third largest EL population in the state. Our EL staff works diligently to meet the daily needs of the growing population of ELs. Therefore, we stay abreast of new strategies and techniques to aid our ELs in their journey to English acquisition and academic success. Further, our teaching staff follows the state-adopted EL standards and the Mississippi College and Career Readiness Standards to prepare our students for graduation, career readiness, and/or college readiness.
Additionally, we embrace all cultures and encourage our EL students to maintain their cultural background and native language while integrating into the new. Finally, we believe that parent and community involvement plays a huge role in the success of our ELs. For this reason, we encourage parents to participate in their child’s educational journey.
A different language is a different vision of life. - Federico Fellini
EL STAFF
Happenings at North Jones Elementary
What's Happening at West Jones Elementary
Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration 2025
Left to Right: Kristin Rogers, Robin Ensign, Analy Cordoba, Dr. Debbie Blackledge, Kelly Chambless, Sonia Gonzalez. Front Center: Graciela Cordoba
What's Happening at Moselle Elementary
English Learners are celebrating exiting status with a fiesta!
What's Happening at West Jones High
Pinata Fun
EL Exit Celebration
Attendees: Genesis Escribano Ramirez, Arturo Garcia, Jr, Joshua Martinez Estrada,
Jazmin Martinez, Zamorano, Asael Quiahua Lopez, Alexa Ramirez Tomas, Kevin
Rosas Cobaxin, Josue Santas Elias, Julio Suarez, Derek Tirado Grimaldo, Bladamir
Mendoza Santiago, Neimer DeLeon Juarez, Valentina Sanchez Castillo, Andi Pop
Chun, Yamilet DeLeon, Britney Flores, Justin Bravo, Paula Jimenez, Jennifer Perez,
Brayan Suarez
DISTRICT INFORMATION AND HELPFUL LINKS
Helpful Links - State of Mississippi
SEAL OF BILITERACY
The Jones County School District has adopted the Mississippi Seal of Biliteracy and the Global Seal of Biliteracy. The Seal of Biliteracy is an award to recognize a student who has attained proficiency in English and one or more other languages by high school graduation. The recognition for becoming biliterate becomes part of the student’s high school transcript. The Biliteracy Seal is designed to validate and promote the use of multiple languages for all students. Studies show that receiving the Biliteracy Seal can:
- Provide all students the opportunity to verify biliteracy
- Provide universities an additional method to recognize applicants seeking admission
- Prepare students with 21st century skills for the global workplace
- Provide employers with a method of identifying people with language biliteracy skills
- Increase high school graduation rates among English Learners
ENGLISH LEARNER EDUCATION
- Newcomer Class
Designed for recent English Learners at the secondary level with little or no English proficiency. Focuses on developing reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills to support transition into other instructional models.
-
English as a Second Language (ESL) Class
Uses content curriculum to teach reading, writing, speaking, and listening comprehension. Secondary students receive 1 Carnegie unit. -
Pull-out
EL teacher or paraprofessional removes students from general education class for small group or one-on-one instruction. -
Push-in
EL teacher provides support inside the student’s regular classroom during ongoing instruction.