ISA Newsletter-September 2022

Education Office of the Embassy of Spain

ISA Newsletter Issue No. 6| September 2022

Welcome to the sixth issue of the ISA newsletter!

The Education Office of the Embassy of Spain and the ISA program are very excited to launch issue number 6 of the ISA Newsletter. We aim at informing you about the activities other schools in the network are carrying out, as well as showcasing the most relevant events organized by the Education Office. We also hope that it inspires you to keep on doing the wonderful job you have already been doing. Enjoy it!

La Consejería de Educación de la Embajada de España y el programa ISA están muy contentos con la publicación del boletín de noticias número 6. El objetivo de este boletín es dar a conocer aquellas actividades que los centros de la red están realizando, así como mostrar las actividades organizadas por la Consejería de Educación. Esperamos que sirva como inspiración para que sigáis haciendo la magnífica labor que lleváis años realizando. Esperamos que lo disfrutéis.

Sections in this issue A word by the Counselor for Education News from the Education Office News from the ISA network ISA Farewells Interviews- ISA Teachers Resources and material for DLI/ Bilingual education.

The ISA program is endorsed by

Education Office of the Embassy of Spain

ISA Newsletter Issue No. 6| September 2022

Thank you so much once again Muchas gracias una vez más

By Jesús Fernández González Counselor for Education for the US and Canada Consejero de Educación en EE. UU. y Canadá The 2021-2022 school year has been a particularly good one for the ISA schools, despite the need for caution and some restrictions due to the pandemic. Being able to share experiences up close, masks included, at graduation ceremonies at the end of the year was a huge accomplishment and one that we were longing for.

Throughout the entire school year, the Education Office of the Embassy of Spain has been able to be a part of the ISA community sharing special moments within the network: 1. The second annual video contest for ISA students, with a higher participation rate than in the last edition.

2. A wide range of P.D. activities have been offered to ISA teachers, as a means to get closer to the Spanish language and culture.

3. The launching of the movie portal Veo En Español, offered without cost to our ISA schools.

4. And the celebration of the second ISA Institute, with well-known keynote speakers in the field of DLI (Dual Language Immersion)/ bilingual programs presenting and sharing their knowledge.

And all of this, through the magnificent work that your schools have been achieving to uphold not only highperforming standards, but also the continuity within the ISA program.

We would also like to highlight that the ISA family is growing and from the school year 2022-2023 on, there will be 9 high-performing schools entering the ISA network. A big welcome to all of them!

All of this would not be possible without all the people who are behind the schools and districts, who work in favor of this initiative. Thank you so much for keeping your support and belief in this DLI/bilingual program sponsored by the Education Office of the Embassy of Spain.

A pesar de las cautelas iniciales por la situación sanitaria, el curso 2021-2022 ha sido muy bueno para las escuelas ISA. Poder abrazarnos, aunque fuera con mascarilla, en las graduaciones de fin de curso es todo un símbolo. A lo largo del curso académico hemos compartido eventos apasionantes con los centros de la red: la segunda edición del concurso de vídeos, con una participación más numerosa que en la pasada edición; la formación del profesorado ISA, con una gran variedad de cursos para acercar la lengua y cultura españolas a los docentes; el lanzamiento de la plataforma Veo en espaÑol, herramienta de calidad gratuita para los centros de la red; la segunda edición del seminario ISA, en la que hemos contado con la presencia de ponentes de renombre en el campo de la educación bilingüe; y, por último, el gran el trabajo de los centros para mantener su calidad y pertenencia al programa.

Hay que destacar también que familia ISA crece y que, a partir del curso que viene, contaremos con la incorporación al programa de nueve centros de gran calidad educativa. ¡Bienvenidos todos!

Por último, queremos destacar que la red ISA no sería posible sin la ayuda de todas las personas de centros educativos y distritos escolares que creen y trabajan en favor de esta iniciativa. Muchas gracias de nuevo por seguir apoyando y creyendo en este programa bilingüe de la consejería de Educación de la Embajada de España.

News from the Education Office: The International Spanish Academies Program ISA Institute On May 5th 2022 the Education Office at the Embassy of Spain held the ISA Institute Leadership for Engagement, which consisted of two sections. The first section featured well-known experts in the field of DualLanguage/Bilingual Education. The second part of the institute was for school and district administrators to discuss their concerns about the network.

El 5 de mayo de 2022 se celebró el seminario ISA: Leadership for Engagement, que contó con dos partes: la primera, con la participación de expertos de reconocido prestigio en el campo de la educación bilingüe. La segunda parte tuvo como protagonistas a los administradores de escuelas y distritos, que pusieron de relieve sus ideas sobre la red.

2nd Video Contest for ISA Students In the school year 2021-22, the Education Office has launched the second Video Contest for ISA students. The topic of this year has been "Your invention for this century" and there have been over 40 entries and wonderful productions. The main goal of this contest is to motivate students to learn the Spanish language and culture, as well as enrich their bilingual experience.

En este curso 2021-22 la Consejería de Educación ha lanzado la segunda edición del concurso de vídeos para alumnado de las escuelas ISA. El tema de este año ha sido Tu invento para este siglo.

El principal objetivo del certamen es el de motivar a los estudiantes en el aprendizaje de la lengua española y, a su vez, enriquecer la experiencia bilingüe.

News from the Education Office 2nd Video Contest for ISA Students.

First, Second and Third-Place Prize Las Tradulleres from William C. Lewis Dual Language Elementary school, Wilmington, Delaware, has been awarded the first-place prize in the 2nd Video Contest for ISA students, organized by the Education office of the Embassy of Spain. Censura 3000 from John I Leonard High School, Greenacres, Florida, has been awarded the second-place prize, and La Remotchila, from William C. Lewis Dual Language Elementary school, Wilmington, Delaware, has been awarded the third-place prize.

IA Mantequilla from from Fall Creek Valley Middle School, Indiana, besides being a finalist, has been awarded the special mention for its orginality creativity script. Our heartiest congratulations on these prizes.

Las Tradulleres, de la escuela William C. Lewis Dual Language Elementary School, de Wilmington, Delaware ha sido galardonado con el primer premio en la segunda edición del Concurso de vídeos para alumnado de centros ISA. Censura 3000 de la escuela John I Leonard High School, de Greenacres, Florida, ha sido galardonado con el segundo premio y La Remotchila, de la escuela William C. Lewis Dual Language Elementary School, de Wilmington, Delaware, ha sido galardonado con el tercer premio en la segunda edición del concurso.

IA Mantequilla, de la escuela Fall Creek Valley Middle School, de Indiana, además de resultar finalista, ha sido galardonado con la mención especial a la originalidad y guion creativo.

Nuestras más sinceras felicitaciones.

Videos

News from the Education Office Veo en espaÑol Veo en espaÑol is an educational outreach initiative, sponsored by the Ministry of Education of Spain. It has a specific selection of audiovisual resources (shorts, movies, documentaries, etc.), which have been chosen according to pedagogical standards. These resources help to instill key competences into students, as well as values and the respect and tolerance towards diversity.

This platform is free for those programs that the Education Office of the Embassy of Spain promotes and, therefore, for the ISA network.

Those ISA teachers interested in signing up for the platform should fill out this form.

If you want to know more about the program, please click here.

‘Veo en espaÑol’ es una herramienta, patrocinada por el Ministerio de Educación de España, que pone a disposición del profesorado obras audiovisuales seleccionadas con criterios pedagógicos en distintos formatos (largometrajes, cortometrajes, documentales...). Este material audiovisual, junto con las guías didácticas que lo acompañan, resulta idóneo para la enseñanza del español y su cultura. Contribuye, además, a reforzar las competencias clave del alumnado y a formar en valores y respeto hacia la diversidad. Esta herramienta es gratuita y de uso exclusivamente educativo para los programas de la acción educativa española en el exterior. Por consiguiente, los maestros de la red de centros International Spanish Academies (ISA) pueden solicitar su uso totalmente gratis.

El profesorado de la red International Spanish Academies puede solicitar el acceso a la plataforma rellenando este formulario.

Si quiere obtener más información sobre Veo en espaÑol, puede consultar este documento.

News from the Education Office Encuentro ISA en Texas y Oklahoma II Encuentro ISA TEXAS Y OKLAHOMA El día 25 de marzo se celebró en la Oficina de Educación en el Consulado General de España en Houston el II Encuentro ISA para Texas y Oklahoma en el que estuvieron presentes los directores y coordinadores de programas de Magellan International School, Burbank Middle School, Herrera Elementary School, Helms Elementary School y Wharton Dual Language Academy. Además asistieron los representantes los representantes de Adquisición de Talento de Houston ISD Dr. González y Mr. Steuernagel, además de la Directora Ejecutiva para Programas Multilingües del Houston ISD, Ms. White.

La apertura del seminario corrió a cargo de Dña. Julia Olmo, Cónsul General de España en Houston, tras lo cual los Asesores Técnicos detallaron los programas y líneas de actuación para los próximos años en el Estado. Por último, D. Samore desarrolló el caso de éxito de las ISA en el estado de Florida.

Entrevista a Jennifer Day, directora ISA Entrevista en televisiva a Jennifer Day, directora de Wharton Dual Language Academy El programa de entrevistas “Internationally Speaking” del 29 de abril de 2022 organizado por el World Affairs Council of Greater Houston de la cadena Woodlands Online trató la presencia española en el área. Desde el punto de vista educativo, la directora de Wharton Dual Language Academy en Houston, Jennifer Day, desarrolló todo lo que implica ser una una ISA: sus implicaciones culturales, lingüísticas y metodológicas.

Vídeo

News from the Education Office Advisory Group This is the second year the ISA network has had the honor to count on the expertise and knowledge of the members of the advisory group. They are ISA school and district administrators from Canada and the USA - Dr. Nancy Hong, Coordinator of Dual Language and Magnet Programs at Glendale USD, Glendale, CA; Ms. Elizabeth Morales, Principal at Okeeheelee Middle School, West Palm Beach, FL​; and Mr. Andrés Sánchez, Consultant at Edmonton Catholic Schools, Edmonton, AB; and Mr. Robert Crawford, Principal at Maxwell Escuela de Inmersión en Español, Lexington, KY. The Education Office just wants to say a big thank you to all of them, but especially to Mr. Crawford who will no longer be part of the advisory group. Mr, Crawford, we wish you the best on your new position.

Este es el segundo año que la red ISA ha tenido el honor de contar con el conocimiento y experiencia de los miembros del grupo asesor, formado por cuatro administradores del programa en escuelas y distritos de Canadá y Estados Unidos: Dra. Nancy Hong, Coordinadora de Dual Language and Magnet Programs de Glendale USD, Glendale (CA); Dª. Elizabeth Morales, Directora de Okeeheelee Middle School, West Palm Beach (FL)​; y D. Andrés Sánchez, Consultor de Edmonton Catholic Schools, Edmonton (AB); D. Robert Crawford, Director de Maxwell Escuela de Inmersión en Español, Lexington (KY). La Consejería de Educación les agradece sinceramente su ayuda y apoyo, pero en especial a D. Robert Crawford, que no formará parte del grupo asesor el año que viene. D. Robert Crawford, le deseamos lo mejor en su nuevo puesto.

How to make videos: a PD activity for ISA teachers The Education Office of the Embassy of Spain organized a PD event for teachers about how to use video in their classroom salon. This workshop was mostly addressed to those teachers taking part in the Teacher of the Year Contest and the 2nd Video Contest for ISA students. The goal was to give teachers some tips about how to edit their videos and make them look professional. This PD event took place March 5th via Zoom.

La consejería de Educación organizó un taller sobre edición de vídeos para los profesores de español en Estados Unidos y Canadá.

Principalmente iba dirigido al profesorado participante tanto en el concurso Profesor del año como en el Concurso de vídeos para estudiantes ISA. Uno de los objetivos del curso era dar consejos sobre la edición de vídeos y cómo hacerlos parecer profesionales. Este curso se celebró el 5 de marzo a través de la plataforma Zoom.

News from the ISA Network: The International Spanish Academies Program New Horizons Elementary School An ISA Model School in Palm Beach County New Horizons Elementary School became the first International Spanish Academy in the school District of Palm Beach County in 2003. In 2017-2018 New Horizons was ranked 3rd as the best ISA school in North America affording students a dual language education in grades PreKindergarten through 5th grade. New Horizons Elementary’s commitment to promote the dual language program has earned it the recognition of Model School in Palm Beach County for the VPK dual language program.

The commitment to promote a bilingual education extends beyond reading, writing and speaking.

We promote biculturalism through school-wide events. This year, New Horizons Elementary hosted the Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration where the Department of Multicultural Education, the Mayor of Wellington, and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Members joined in celebrating the many nationalities represented on our campus. This was a great opportunity for all students to learn about others' cultural heritage in a celebration that included students' performance of traditional dances, live music, and research presentations. Okeeheelee Middle School and John I. Leonard High Schools, ISA schools in Palm Beach County School District, also contributed to the celebration that promotes a positive and inclusive learning environment for all students.

News from the ISA Network Okeeheelee Middle School The International Spanish Academy at Okeeheelee Middle School leading Dual Language Education of Excellence in Palm Beach, Florida.

One more year, the International Spanish Academy at Okeeheelee Middle School in West Palm Beach, Florida, was the leader of the Dual Language Programs within the Palm Beach County School District.

Representing the ISA in many events for the Community like the Winter Equestrian Festival, the 7th ISA Annual Symposium or the Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrations.

The highlight of the school year was the visit of the General Consul of Spain in Miami.

He visited the school and gave the Awards to the schools participating and winning the 1st Video Contest for ISA students.

Okeeheelee Middle School continues to offer Dual Language Education of Excellence in Palm Beach County and its International Spanish Academy is an example for many other schools not only in their District of Education but also in the rest of the USA and Canada.

La Academia Internacional de Español de la Escuela Intermedia Okeeheelee lidera la Educación Bilingüe de Excelencia en Palm Beach, Florida.

Un año más, la Academia Internacional de Español de la Escuela Intermedia Okeeheelee de West Palm Beach, Florida, fue lider de los Programas Bilingües en el Distrito de Educación del Condado de Palm Beach.

Representando la ISA en múltiples eventos de la Comunidad Educativa como el Festival Ecuestre de Invierno, el 7º Simposio Anual de ISAs o las Celebraciones del Mes de la Hispanidad.

El momento culminante del año escolar fue la visita del Cónsul de España en Miami.

El Cónsul visitó la escuela y concedió los premios a las escuelas participantes y ganadoras del 1º Concurso de Videos para estudiantes de las ISAs. La Escuela Intermedia Okeeheelee continúa ofreciendo una Educación Bilingüe de Excelencia en el Condado de Palm Beach y su Academia Internacional de Español es un ejemplo para otras escuelas ISAs no solo del Distrito de Educación sino también del resto de USA y Canadá.

News from the ISA Network Berkshire Elementary At BERKSHIRE ELEMENTARY we celebrate various events to highlight our diversity and culture.

Here are some of the events that we had during FY 21-22 school year.

En BERKSHIRE ELEMENTARY celebramos varios eventos para resaltar nuestra diversidad y cultura.

Estos son algunos de los eventos que tuvimos durante el año escolar FY 21-22.

Winners of 1st Video Contest for ISA Students /Ganadores del 1er Concurso de Video para los estudiantes de las escuelas ISA Multicultural Celebration / Celebration Multicultural Recipes Proyect / Proyecto de Recetas Spelling Bee / Concurso de Ortografía Ludoteca Read more

Mansfield Spanish Immersion School MANSFIELD BIDS FAREWELL TO 21-22 SCHOOL YEAR WITH FLAMENCO DANCING Students at our ISA Mansfield Spanish Immersion School in Ohio are celebrating the end of the school year by dancing sevillanas. In the last weeks of the course their teacher Eugenia Canzobre Gavira, in her third year as a visiting teacher from Spain and originally from Andalusia, has been teaching her enthusiastic students how to dance sevillanas with the collaboration of some of her Spanish colleagues. Congratulations to these magnificent dancers and their teacher for an excellent job.

MANSFIELD SE DESPIDE DEL AÑO BAILANDO FLAMENCO Los alumnos de nuestra ISA Mansfield Spanish Immersion School, en Ohio, celebran el fin de curso bailando sevillanas. En las últimas semanas del curso su profesora Eugenia Canzobre Gavira, en su tercer año como profesora visitante de España y originaria de Andalucía, ha estado enseñando, con la colaboración de algunos de sus compañeros españoles, a sus entusiastas alumnos del programa de inmersión a bailar sevillanas. Enhorabuena a esos magníficos bailaores y a su profesora por el excelente trabajo.

Vídeo

News from the ISA Network Eleanor J. Toll Middle School El Prado Museum Exhibit (Prado Itinerante) at Toll Middle School, Glendale, California El Prado Museum in Madrid is celebrating its 200th anniversary by sharing its wealth of art pieces with the world. Thanks to the partnership with The Spanish Consulate in Los Angeles, and its Office of Education, and the Spanish FLAG* program at Toll Middle School in Glendale, California, this initiative allowed our school to host up to 20 prints of the Museum’s most important works of art. This is one of the perks of being an International Spanish Academy (ISA) in the U.S.! *Foreign Language Academies of Glendale La exposición de El Museo del Prado (Prado Itinerante) en Toll Middle School, Glendale, California El museo del Prado de Madrid celebra su 200 aniversario compartiendo una serie de obras de arte con el mundo. Gracias a la colaboración con el Consulado de España en Los Ángeles, y su agregaduría de Educación, y el programa FLAG* de español en Toll Middle School en Glendale, California, esta iniciativa ha permitido que nuestra escuela pueda exhibir hasta 20 reproducciones de las obras más importantes de dicho museo. Esta es una de las ventajas de formar parte de la red de International Spanish Academies (ISA) en los Estados Unidos.

Read more/Más sobre esta noticia

News from the ISA Network Burbank Middle School CINCO DE MAYO PROGRAM AT BURBANK MIDDLE SCHOOL On Friday, May 27, 2022, was the 35th Annual Cinco de Mayo Program at Burbank Middle School to commemorate the amazing victory of the ragtag Mexican patriots over the mighty French Army during the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

PROGRAMA DEL CINCO DE MAYO EN BURBANK MIDDLE SCHOOL El viernes 27 de mayo de 2022, tuvimos el Trigésimo Quinto Programa del Cinco de Mayo en Burbank Middle School. Este programa conmemora la extraordinaria victoria que obtuvieron los patriotas mejicanos sobre el poderoso ejército francés durante la Batalla de Puebla en el 1862.

Read more/ Más sobre esta noticia

Paradise Canyon Elementary School Conga: drumming, learning, and connecting!

From Paradise Canyon Elementary we would like to share with you one of the projects that we carry out during the school year. As part of the ISA network of schools, the educational quality we offer is one of our main focuses. Teaching the Spanish language, as well as the transmission of our culture, history, and traditions, are an essential part of the teaching process.

Conga ¡percusión, diversión y expresión!

Desde nuestra escuela Paradise Canyon Elementary nos gustaría mostraros uno de los proyectos que llevamos a cabo durante el curso escolar. Como parte de la red de escuelas ISA, la calidad educativa que ofrecemos es una de nuestras señas de identidad, la enseñanza de la lengua española, así como la transmisión de nuestra cultura, historia y tradiciones forman parte esencial en el proceso de enseñanza.

Read more/Más sobre esta noticia

News from the ISA Network Sweet Grass School Disney’s Encanto: A Passport to Culture and Language With the end of this school year in light, everyone is dreaming of a vacation! However, our reality is that we still have time on the clock, so what better way to bring your holiday destinations to the classroom than with a new Disney movie? Encanto is a Spanish teacher’s staycation ideal!

Bringing typical landscapes and panoramas, cultural clothing and handicrafts, realismo mágico, and let's not mention B-R-U-N-O just yet, or every student within earshot will break into song. By having teachers guide a more in-depth look at the cultural diversity beforehand, students will appreciate the cultural richness of the movie and be receptive to listening to the movie in Spanish.

Read on to see how I took advantage of this movie’s fullest potential to span across curricular areas in the Spanish Bilingual classroom.

The Full Encanto of Colombia Teaching in a Bilingual school means we teachers wear many hats, even more so when you add Covid restrictions for three school years. Teaching students by bringing the world to them has always been imperative to building Global Citizens, but even more so with years of Covid restrictions affecting their school, home, and daily life. We have embraced our roles in order to compensate by adapting and by being creative. Reminiscing on memories is always popular with students, but so is hearing about new places in the world. Tell them we’ll travel to a faraway land in the classroom, and you’ll be sure to have their attention.

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News from the ISA Network North Davis Preparatoy Academy SCIENCE IN ACTION IN UTAH North Davis Preparatory Academy has brought Science in Action to our 4th, 5th, and 6th-grade students.

Science in Action is an international contest that aims to present science in a way that is more engaging, motivating, and accessible to both students and teachers.

Under the direction of Jose Manuel Escobero and Jessica Bryant, our 6th-grade teachers, the students chose the topics they were most curious about, and after researching for resources, designed and prepared the project that they presented in a pre-selection event at NDPA. CIENCIA EN ACCIÓN EN UTAH North Davis Preparatory Academy (NDPA) ha traído un año más Ciencia en Acción a nuestros estudiantes de 4º, 5º y 6º grado.

Ciencia en Acción es un concurso internacional que tiene como objetivo presentar la ciencia de una manera más atractiva, motivadora y cercana tanto a los estudiantes como a los profesores.

Bajo la dirección de José Manuel Escobero y Jessica Bryant, nuestros profesores de 6º grado, los estudiantes eligieron los temas que despertaron su curiosidad y fueron ellos mismos los que, tras una investigación y búsqueda de recursos, diseñaron y prepararon el proyecto que presentaron en un acto de preselección en NDPA. Read more/Más sobre esta noticia

News from the ISA Network Silver Mesa Elementary School Micropolis This is our biggest project from the Spanish Team. We build a city in our school!

In this city, you would find amazing places where you can visit: A Theater where the students can eat popcorn and watch a short film A Fair, where the students play cooperative games A Driving School, where they will drive customized cars and work on passing their drivers test An Art Gallery, where they take an art class Restaurant, where students order Mexican food In this activity students talk in Spanish all the time. They rotate to the different stations (settings), using special money, and enjoy the experience of being in a city speaking in Spanish. Also, this year our DLI Spanish students from Union Middle School will be helping us to develop this City for the whole school.

YOU ARE WELCOME TO VISIT OUR CITY! Micrópolis Este es el proyecto más valioso del Equipo de español. ¡Construimos una ciudad en nuestra escuela!

En esta ciudad podrás encontrar lugares increíbles que puedes visitar: Un cine, donde los estudiantes pueden comer palomitas mientras ven cortometrajes.

Una feria, donde los estudiantes juegan a juegos cooperativos.

Una autoescuela, donde conducirán coches personalizados y practicarán para aprobar su carné de conducir.

Una galería de arte, donde tomarán una clase de pintura.

Un restaurante, donde los estudiantes pedirán comida mejicana.

En esta actividad, los estudiantes hablarán en español todo el tiempo. Rotarán a diferentes estaciones (decorados), usando dinero especial, y disfrutarán de la experiencia de estar en una ciudad comunicándose en español. Además, este año, nuestros estudiantes que están en el programa de DLI en la Escuela Media de “UNION” nos ayudarán a llevar a cabo esta ciudad para toda la escuela. ¡BIENVENIDOS A NUESTRA CIUDAD!

News from the ISA Network Laguna Hills High School Laguna Hills High School’s Dual Language Immersion Graduates of 2022 On May 23, 2022, fifty Laguna Hills High School seniors were honored in a ceremony at the Laguna Hills Community Center for their participation in SVUSD’s Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program. Guests included dignitaries from the Education Office, Consulate General of Spain in Los Angeles, as well as district office administrators, DLI teachers, families and friends. Students were recognized for participation, academic achievement, and completion of the requirements for the International Spanish Academies (ISA) diploma. Congratulations to all the graduates!

El 23 de mayo de 2022, se celebró una ceremonia para reconocer a cincuenta estudiantes de último año de High School de Laguna Hills High School, en Laguna Hills Community Center, por su participación en el Programa de Inmersión Dual de Saddleback Valley USD. Los invitados a la ceremonia incluyeron a dignatarios de la Agregaduría de Educación del Cosulado de España en Los Ángeles, además de administradores del distrito, maestros del programa, familiares y amigos.

A estos estudiantes se les reconoció su participación, sus logros académicos y el hecho de haber completado con éxito los requisitos para obtener el diploma de International Spanish Academy (ISA). ¡Muchas felicidades a todos los graduados!

Saddleback Valley USD Literary Contest Escribo en español Congratulations to the Dual Language Immersion students at the International Spanish Academies (ISA), Gates Elementary, Los Alisos Intermediate, and Laguna Hills High School for their outstanding accomplishments in this year’s Escribo en español writing contest, sponsored by the Spanish Consulate and the California Department of Education. Students received their awards in a ceremony on June 4, held at the Casa de España. We are proud of you, ISA students, and your teachers!

Felicidades a los estudiantes pertenecientes al programa de Inmersión Dual de las International Spanish Academies (ISA) de Gates Elementary, Los Alisos Intermediate y Lagunas Hills High School for sus fabulosos logros en el certamen literario de este año “Escribo en español”, esponsorizado por el Consulado de España y el Departamento de educación de California. Los premiados recibieron sus premios en una ceremonia celebrada el 4 de junio en Casa de España. ¡Estamos muy orgullosos de ustedes, estudiantes ISA y de sus maestros!

Read more/Más sobre esta noticia

News from the ISA Network Edward Babe Gomez Heritage Elementary Yuyi Morales at Gomez Heritage Earlier this spring, our 2nd & 3rd grade dual language students had the opportunity to visit the Joslyn Art Museum to see the work of Yuyi Morales in the Soñadores Exhibition. Yuyi Morales is a native of Xalapa, Mexico, Caldecott recipient and bilingual author and illustrator of children’s picture books.

The exhibit featured over sixty paintings and digital prints capturing the artist’s handmade puppets and “sets” for fourteen stories which allowed our students to connect her books with the paintings. In April, Yuyi also made a visit to Gomez Heritage to read her book, Bright Star and share her love for bilingual literature with our students.

Yuyi Morales en Gomez Heritage A principios de esta primavera, nuestros estudiantes de 2dº y 3er grado del programa de dos idiomas tuvieron la oportunidad de visitar el Museo de Arte Joslyn para ver el trabajo de Yuyi Morales en la Exposición Soñadores. Yuyi Morales nativa de Xalapa, México, ganadora del Premio Caldecott y autora e ilustradora bilingüe de libros para niños.

La exposición presenta más de sesenta pinturas e impresiones digitales que capturan los títeres hechos a mano de la artista y "decorados" para catorce historias que permitieron a nuestros estudiantes conectar sus libros con las pinturas. En abril, Yuyi también hizo una visita a Gomez Heritage para leer su libro, Bright Star y compartir su amor por la literatura bilingüe con nuestros estudiantes.

News from the ISA Network Millis High School The Auxiliares de conversación españoles program in Millis Public Schools Millis Public Schools Superintendent Robert Mullaney says the district’s three schools - Clyde Brown Elementary School, Millis Middle School, and Millis High School - are all recognized as International Spanish Academies (ISA), a network of schools that partner with the Ministry of Education, Social Policy, and Sport of Spain that ensures an “exemplary standard of quality and sharing of best practices and resources.”

Mullaney says the district has a firm belief in the benefits of students being bilingual as it “strengthens listening skills, correlates to high academic performance in both high school and college, enhances cultural awareness and respect for diversity, and provides more options for employment. Our immersion seniors are able to document a unique educational experience that sets them apart when competing for scholarships or college admission.” [...] MHS Principal Awdycki says the “assistants’ first-hand knowledge of the culture and history of Spain, coupled with their native speaking abilities, provide our students and teachers with authentic learning experiences and interactions. In turn, we are able to give the assistants the teaching and cultural experiences they are looking for in an American public school. We are as excited to learn from them as they are from us. It’s become a crucial part of our program at all levels, and our entire school community benefits from this incredible program.”

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News from the ISA Network: Farewells El Camino Real Academy El Camino Real Academy thanks the principal Jackob Lain all his professional career upon retirement. THANK YOU MR. LAIN! El Camino Real Academy in Santa Fe is one of the many ISA schools in the States and the one in New Mexico. It has been an honor to count with Jackob Lain as a principal for many years and this article is our way to say thank you. During all these years, he has taken care of the Visiting Teachers Program from Spain and he has participated in all the videos and promos of the education programs at the Spain Education Office and the ISA program, not only by praising the benefits but also by encouraging other schools to participate as well.

Thanks to his great decisions, performances and positive attitude he leaves the unity of a fantastic team behind, taking care of the ISA El Camino Real Academy. Enjoy your deserved retirement. You will be greatly missed Mr. Lain!

El Camino Real Academy agradece la trayectoria profesional del director Jackob Lain. ¡GRACIAS MR. LAIN! El Camino Real Academy en Santa Fe es una de las ISA en Estados Unidos y la única de Nuevo México. Ha sido un honor contar con Jackob Lain como director por muchos años y la oportunidad de recordarle en esta newsletter es una forma de darle las gracias. Durante todos estos años, él ha cuidado de los profesores visitantes y ha participado activamente en todos los vídeos y promociones de los programas de la Consejería de Educación no solo ensalzando sus beneficios sino también animando a otros centros a participar.

Gracias a sus importantes decisiones, ideas y actitud positiva, deja un gran equipo que seguirá cuidando de la ISA El Camino Real Academy. Que disfrutes de tu merecida jubilación. ¡Te echaremos mucho de menos!

News from the ISA Network: Farewells Lawrence North High School A New Adventure for an Immersion Pioneer Sr. Manuel Vega is a famous figure in Lawrence Township. He has spent over 27 years teaching in the district, and was a key to both founding and growing the immersion program to the successful, multi-school entity that it is today. Sr. Vega, originally from Puerto Rico, began teaching second grade at Forest Glen Elementary School in 1995, moved to fifth grade, and then moved to high school. He helped design the immersion curriculum, especially at the high school level. He was able to incorporate his passion for his language and culture into the immersion courses that focus on Spanish language arts development, history, and Spanish literature.

Sr. Vega will be greatly missed by students and staff alike. He has had a profound impact on the district as a whole, as well as on individual lives. His plans for retirement include spending time with his family, visiting Puerto Rico, and enjoying all that his next adventure has to offer!

Una aventura nueva para un pionero de inmersión El Sr. Manuel Vega es una figura famosa en Lawrence Township. Ha pasado más que 27 años en el distrito como maestro, y fue clave en fundar y crecer el programa de inmersión a la entidad exitosa que es hoy en día. El Sr. Vega, originalmente de Puerto Rico, empezó en el distrito como maestro de segundo grado en Forest Glen Elementary School en 1995, se mudó al 5º grado, y eventualmente se mudó otra vez a la secundaria. Ayudó a diseñar el currículo, especialmente al nivel de secundaria. Él pudo incorporar su pasión por su idioma y cultura en los cursos de inmersión que se enfocan en el desarrollo del lenguaje, la historia y la literatura española.

Los estudiantes y compañeros del Sr. Vega le extrañarán tanto. Ha tenido un impacto profundo en el distrito entero, además que en muchas vidas individuales. ¡Después de retirarse, él quiere pasar tiempo con su familia, visitar a Puerto Rico, y disfrutar todo lo que su aventura nueva le pueda ofrecer!

Interviews The ISA program interviews their ISA Teachers

Iracema Prado- Maestra Prado ISA Teacher at Thomas Edison ES Glendale, CA Tell us a little bit about yourself My students call me Maestra Prado, but my actual name is Iracema Prado. I just finished my 3rd year teaching 6th grade at Thomas Edison Elementary School, in Glendale, California. Previously, my teaching experience at an ISA school was at Franklin Elementary School, also in Glendale, where I taught in the Spanish program for 10 years. My experience at Franklin was with 1st, 4th, and 5th grade.

Why did you become a dual language immersion teacher?

Being a bilingual teacher was not a plan I had as I was working on my teaching credential. The opportunity presented itself when my school decided to open a dual language program in German and Spanish. When the idea of being one of the teachers in the dual program was presented to me, it was an unbelievable possibility. Suddenly, I was given the chance to use my native language and culture to teach in a regular classroom.

What keeps you going? What is your motivation every day to keep on teaching in DLI/ bilingual education programs?

Every year, the experience of watching these amazing young people express themselves in a language other than English so fluently fills me with pride. It is an amazing feeling to have students who can understand, speak, read, and write in Spanish. My motivation to continue in the dual program comes from being part of a community that embraces the learning of multiple languages and diverse cultures.

One of the most successful activities/lessons you have implemented with your students this school year has been...

Identifying and analyzing multiple perspectives using diverse text from around the world brought a unique experience to my students. Watching students trying to comprehend the perspective of Anne Frank, Simon Bolivar, ad Jose Marti was an unbelievable experience for my students. We were able to dive into many cultures represented in the reading.

Students found the stories compelling and engaging.

A tip/some tips you would give/ pass on to other ISA teachers The road to develop a strong dual program is far from smooth. I strongly believe that teachers who cooperate are able to create solid dual programs. It is imperative that districts and schools facilitate collaboration, dialogue, and continuous training for educators. Departmentalizing is almost essential in a dual program. If teachers specialize in two or three subjects, they become experts in those subject and develop efficient and high-quality lessons. It also reduces the amount of planning teachers need on a daily basis.

Interviews The ISA program interviews the Advisory Group

Fadia Rubi Lancaster Maxwell Spanish Immersion Elementary, Lexington, KY Tell us a little bit about yourself My name is Fadia Rubi Lancaster, I teach at Maxwell Elementary School at Lexington, Kentucky. I teach 2nd Grade, I started teaching in 2008 in the same school that I mentioned before. I am from Lima Perú, I taught in my country for 8 years.

Why did you become a dual language immersion teacher?

I love teaching elementary school children and I would like to continue impacting the lives of my students, teaching them my first language and a new language to them.

What keeps you going? What is your motivation every day to keep on teaching in DLI/ bilingual education programs?

What keeps me going is that I love my profession because children will be the future of our society with great skills for personal development.

One of the most successful activities/lessons you have implemented with your students this school year has been...

During the summer class we implement PBL project-based learning. Each student recognized a problem in their school or area. Together we learned and investigated how to solve and improve this problem. We were able to do this based on research and help from professionals in the community. In the end, we had impressive results in the lives of our students, both in learning and in everyday life.

A tip/some tips you would give/ pass on to other ISA teachers Expose students to as much of the language as possible, get hands-on and teach culture alongside the language.

Interviews The ISA program interviews the Advisory Group Alejandra Haggard Maxwell Spanish Immersion Elementary Lexington, KY Tell us a little bit about yourself Alejandra Haggard, Maxwell Spanish Immersion elementary School, Kindergarten.

Why did you become a dual language immersion teacher?

I was born and raised in Mexico. I came to the United States of America to go to College to get my Teaching degree. I met my husband in college and settled in Kentucky. I got a job as an English teacher for three years and I applied to Maxwell because I wanted to share my culture and language with others, especially my daughters who attended the Spanish Immersion Program.

What keeps you going?

I love teaching Spanish to Kindergarteners at Maxwell! The students and parents keep me going! The students are so eager to learn, especially another language and are so proud to become bilingual. Their energy is contagious and are so full of life!

The parents are always very supportive of the program and know the importance of becoming bilingual in their own lives.

Teaching at Maxwell allows me to share my culture and be proud of it.

One of the most successful…

We worked on using Yo Tengo/Yo no tengo by having the students make their own paper dolls and they would work with a partner to spin the wheel of clothing items and they would stop at four items to make and put on their 'dolls' by saying the clothing item in Spanish. After they placed the four items of clothing, they asked each other: Tienes un gorro? and the other student would say: Si, yo tengo un gorro or No, yo no tengo un gorro. Students loved the activity and they had fun doing it.

This took a week to finish but it allowed me to assess their language skills and evaluate their level. Goal: Students will be able to improve their [interpersonal listening and speaking] [by using ...memorized phrases Yo tengo/Yo no tengo] as evidenced by their satisfactory performance of a Novice Mid or above language proficiency level as determined by end of unit assessment.

One tip you would give to other ISA teachers Have fun teaching and try new things! Focus on the things you can do and change within your power. Make your classroom a safe environment for students to learn and make mistakes in the targeted language. Correct them only when necessary and be excited for them when using the language even if its not perfect. Students are more willing to speak the targeted language when they feel supported, loved and know that they can make mistakes!

Resources for DL/ Bilingual programs Procomun & Leer.es Procomun and Leer.es are two websites sponsored by the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training of Spain, where you will find many educational resources.

On the Procomun website, these resources are graded according to different learning levels (Elementary, Middle/ Junior High and High School), which will make your search easier. There is a wide range of subjects so we are sure that you will find something that will work for your teaching practice.

In regard to Leer.es, besides activities and resources to enhance our students’ reading practice, you will find guides to foster creative writing among your students. There is one for elementary education and another one for Middle and High School.

We would love to read your feedback. If you create some activities you would like to share with our ISA network, please let us know on isa@educacion.gob.es Or simply if you implement some of the resources from these websites and you want to let us know how well they worked for you and your students, do not hesitate to reach out to us.

We hope you like Procomun and Leer. es

The International Spanish Academies Program Social Media Check out our social media for more information about the program: Instagram Facebook Twitter Youtube If you post activities or news on your social media about your ISA school, please don't forget to include our hashtag #ProudtoBeISA and/or #OrgullososdeSerISA.

ISA INSTITUTE The Education Office of Spain and the ISA program are planning to host a new edition of the ISA Institute. Please check out our social media for more information.

Coming soon!

ISA Calendar If you want to keep updated about the activities the ISA program organizes and get to know about other events from the Education Office of the Embassy of Spain, check out our calendar.

#OrgullososdeSerISA #ProudtoBeISA isa@educacion.gob.es

3rd Video Constest for ISA students We have everything ready for the 3rd Video Contest for ISA students. We will publish all the information about it on our social media and website in the fall.

ISA website for more information about our program, please visit our website.