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The Review
PAGE 5
February 3, 2015 STERLING SCHOOLS
Raising biliterate children Voluntary dual language program coming to Jefferson elementary BY JERMAINE PIGEE
STERLING – Sophia Lopez is only a preschooler, but her mother already is preparing for her future. Jenna Lopez, who is also a reading specialist at Jefferson Elementary School, plans to enroll her daughter in a new dual language program being launched at the school. “If she is bilingual, she will be more successful,” said Lopez, 30. “She may not understand right now, but when it comes to school and jobs in the future, she will have more opportunities.” The voluntary program is designed to create biliterate students – those who will be able to read, write and speak English and Spanish. The program will begin with kindergartners and follow them as they advance into higher grades. “The first class is a pilot
class for all grades,” Principal Sara Dail said. “Right now, we are writing our kindergarten curriculum, and our first-, second- and third-grade teachers are helping to write that.” The first classroom will be at Jefferson, which has K-2 students, with both English- and Spanishspeaking students learning both languages. Because the district allows open enrollment, children who normally would attend Franklin Elementary, Sterling’s other K-2 school, can apply to attend Jefferson. Whether they will be accepted depends on that year’s enrollment numbers. Once students enter Washington Elementary School as third-graders, a program will start there. To be eligible, students must be 5 by Sept. 1 of the school year in which they want to participate; demonstrate strong oral language skills in their first language; demonstrate kindergarten readiness; and have parents who are willing to commit to the program through fifth grade. The kindergarten classroom will have a bilingual teacher and a bilingual teaching aide. Eighty percent of the class will be
taught in Spanish, and 20 percent will be taught in English. Hand motions and other techniques will be used to help students understand the language. The percentage changes to 70-30 in second grade, and 60-40 in third grade. In fourth and fifth grades, 50 percent of the instruction will be in Spanish and 50 percent will be in English. In kindergarten and first grade, students will be encouraged to use both languages throughout the day. In second and third grades, most of the academic subjects will be taught in Spanish, and in third grade, formal English reading and writing will be emphasized. “Because we have a high population of Spanish speakers in the area, we choose Spanish and English for our two languages for the program,” Dail said. “With our current personnel, we are fortunate that we have teachers who are bilingual.” Of the five kindergarten sections, only one will be dual language; the others will be taught in English. The program will not cost the district anything until 2020, when the students reach fifth grade, Dail said. “At that time, we will need one more bilingual
teacher,” she said. “At Jefferson, we have three grade levels and three bilingual teachers, but when they get to Washington School, they will have three grade levels, but only two bilingual teachers.” Plans call for adding some dual language classes at the middle and high school levels. “Students will also get a seal of biliteracy on their transcript,” Dail said. “Colleges and employers will see that.” Dail has heard no opposition to the program. “It’s a voluntary program, so it’s not like we are making every kindergartner go into the program,” she said. “People I’ve spoke to want their students to have this opportunity. I’ve already gotten calls from interested parents.” Lopez said she looks forward to her daughter starting the class. “I’ve had many career opportunities because I am bilingual,” she said. “If you have a job candidate who is Englishspeaking and a candidate who is bilingual, the bilingual candidate will get more of an advantage over the English speaker because she can offer more.”
SCHOOL DAY ENDS WITH LIFTOFF IN ROCK FALLS
ABOVE: Students from St. Andrew Catholic School cheer as their balloons get taken away by the wind Thursday afternoon in Rock Falls. The children released the balloons at the end of the school day in celebration of Catholic Schools Week. BELOW: School Principal Deacon William Lemmer talks to his students Thursday before a balloon launch celebrating Catholic Schools Week. Last year’s balloon launch sent a balloon as far away as New Jersey.
Photos by Philip Marruffo
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