Press Conference Highlights Dual Immersion Program

Press Conference Highlights Dual Immersion Program

     The Mountain View School District held a press conference this week to announce the District’s Mandarin Dual Immersion Program at Twin Lakes Elementary and Spanish Dual Immersion Program at Payne Elementary and Parkview Elementary for students in Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and Kindergarten.  Children turning 5-years-old on or before September 1, 2019 are able to enroll in Kindergarten and children who will be 5-years-old between September 2, 2019 and March 2, 2020 are eligible to enroll in TK.  Translated in Spanish and Mandarin for the media representatives in attendance, the press conference also highlighted Mountain View’s many extraordinary programs offered to students and families.

     The Dual Immersion Program fosters bilingualism, biliteracy, and cross cultural awareness.  Both the Mandarin/English and Spanish/English Dual Immersion Programs are strong academic programs offering students the exciting opportunity of being bilingual and bi-literate and becoming academically successful in both English and Mandarin or English and Spanish.

      The programs, geared to be continuous through 6th grade, are open to students of all languages to learn academic content through instruction in both languages taught across all subjects. All students are provided with a standards based curriculum that is focused on bilingual and bi-literate academic achievement. 

     “The academic benefits of a dual language immersion education are extensive,” said Lillian Maldonado French, Mountain View School District Superintendent.  “Research indicates that the early acquisition of a second language strengthens cognitive skills, enhances creativity and problem solving skills, improves overall academic performance and results in higher scores on standardized tests.  Students completing our Dual Immersion Programs will finish 6th grade with the ability to speak, read and write fluently in two languages.   We are excited to see our program grow from one Spanish Dual Immersion program at Parkview to three in total with an additional Spanish program at Payne School and our new Mandarin program at Twin Lakes.  Providing this wonderful opportunity for our students and families is very gratifying.”

     Michelle Torres, principal of Twin Lakes Elementary is very excited to be offering the Mandarin Dual Immersion Program at her school site which enrolls students in transitional kindergarten through sixth grade. 

      “This is an amazing opportunity for our students and community and the Twin Lakes staff is looking forward to having this program at our school and welcoming current and new students into the Mandarin program,” said Torres.

        According to Hugo Moreno, Payne Elementary principal, a Dual Immersion Program has been desired by the community for some time.

       “We are thrilled to offer the Spanish Dual Immersion program at Payne Elementary and fulfill the wishes of the community.  Additionally, with the Mandarin program we are meeting the needs of the changing demographics in El Monte and South El Monte.  Being multi-lingual will be a great benefit to our students and through both programs we are empowering our students and equipping them with the tools they need to be successful in life,” said Moreno.

      In addition to the Dual Immersion Programs, MVSD is proud to offer excellent schools, nationally recognized programs, and dynamic academic and extracurricular programs for students and families, all free of charge including exceptional early literacy programs, extensive technology learning including 1:1 in school devices, full-day kindergarten and transitional kindergarten, visual and performing arts programs, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) instruction, excellent after school care and instructional support until 6 p.m., character education, a college bound culture, extensive family engagement programs, early childhood education and preschool programs for children from birth to 4 years, Saturday educational programs, school counselors at every school site, summer learning and enrichment programs, and a breakfast and lunch program for all students.   

       Board of Education Member, Veronica Sifuentes thanked everyone for attending the press conference and for their interest in the District’s Dual Immersion Programs.

      “On behalf of the Board of Education we appreciate you taking the time to visit our district and hear about our three Dual Immersion Programs as well as the other outstanding programs we offer for students and families,” she said.  “We are very proud of the educational and enrichment programs MVSD provides that support our students to achieve their best academically, emotionally and socially.  In Mountain View we are committed to each student attaining academic success and we are proud to follow our mission to inspire each student to succeed every day.”

        Enrollment in the Mountain View School District and the Dual Immersion Programs is open and the District welcomes all students to be a part of the Mt. View Family.   For more information on enrollment, the Dual Immersion Programs and other MVSD programs, please call 626-652-4000.

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