National Association for Bilingual Education conference looks at SD Unified

The recent National Association for Bilingual Education conference in San Diego gave visitors from around the nation a look at the innovative programs in the San Diego Unified School District.

With Supt. Cindy Marten as honorary chairperson, the conference matched more than 40 bilingual educators from around the nation with staff from the district's Office of Language Acquisition, parents from the District-level English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC) and a special Parent Institute.

Convention attendees visited The Language Academy, San Diego Unified's K-8 Spanish and French Immersion magnet school. Keynote speaker was award-winning author Alma Flor Ada.

Superintendent Marten said San Diego Unified has a strong commitment to bilingual education and language learning opportunities for all students, as evidenced by expansion of dual language and developmental biliteracy programs for English learners, the Board of Education's District Language Learning Policy and the many graduates each year who receive the Seal of Biliteracy, an award granted to high school seniors which certifies academic proficiency in English and at least one other language.

 

See the NABE website for more information.

Barnard Asian Pacific Language Academy marks Lunar New Year

IN THE NEWS: School's winter festival celebrates Asian-Pacific community in San Diego and around the world. Watch video»

Japan Foundation grant adds $20,000 of joy to Barnard dedication

It was a joyous occasion last Friday as dignitaries from around the globe joined Board of Education members Kevin Beiser and Richard Barrera, Superintendent Cindy Marten and Principal Eddie Park to formally dedicate the new location for the Barnard Asian-Pacific Language Academy.

Now located at the former Bayview Terrace Elementary School campus, Barnard has kindergarten through grade six and is expanding its language offerings, thanks in part to a $20,000 grant from the Japan Foundation, Los Angeles. The school will now offer dual-immersion programs in Chinese, which it has offered since 2007-08, Korean, which began last school year, and Japanese.

"This grant is provided through the Japan Foundation’s Salary Assistance Grant Program for Japanese Language Courses," the Foundation said in a news release, "which is one of our several grant programs designed to support US educational institutions to initiate, expand, or maintain their Japanese language program."

Principal Eddie Park welcomed the visitors, as well as Barnard students and families to the dedication.

"We recognize that raising children in the modern world is a team effort and our students benefit from a strong educational team that includes school, community and you," he said.

The school is now located at 2445 Fogg Street (92109). For more information, contact Park at (858) 800-5700.

Barnard announces new partnership with the Beijing Royal School

As students and staff settle into their new location in Pacific Beach, Barnard Asian Pacific Language Academy continues to make connections across the globe.

Beijing Royal School Principal Wang

Barnard recently announced a collaboration with a new sister school, the Beijing Royal School, an elite institution in China that prepares students in grades 6-12 for entrance into the world’s top universities. Beijing Royal is the fifth sister school for Barnard, who also collaborates with two other schools in China, one in South Korea and one in Taiwan.

The relationship between the two schools started last year with the help of former district Chief of Staff Bernie Rhinerson, who visited the school, and several members of the College Board. Barnard principal Eddie Park and Beijing Royal School Principal Wang have been working this summer to determine what the partnership will entail.

For more information on the programs at Barnard Elementary, contact Principal Eddie Park at 858-800-5700.

Serra High language development class spotlighted

IN THE NEWS: Academic Language Development class helps students who are Long-Term English Learners – students who have been in California schools for many years but are still having trouble learning English. Program is at 11 schools in San Diego Unified. Read more»

Cabrillo, Dewey Elementary Schools Split Half-Million Dollar Grant

The Department of Defense has awarded a $503,000 grant to the San Diego Unified School District to fund language programs in Mandarin Chinese at Dewey Elementary School and German at Cabrillo Elementary. The schools will combine classroom instruction in the languages with cultural enrichment activities.

The program is designed to expand, strengthen and coordinate strategic foreign language programs for military dependent students. San Diego Unified serves students whose parents are stationed at Naval Station San Diego, Naval Base Point Loma and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. The Department of Defense Education Activity Educational Partnership facilitated the grant review and selection process.

“This grant is going help give our kids a leg up in the global economy,” said Rep. Susan Davis (D-San Diego), who serves on the House Education and the Workforce Committee. “With the innovative advancements in communication and technology, the world is getting smaller. If America’s future generations are going compete with countries that are rapidly catching up to the United States, they will need the skills and tools to do so.”

San Diego Unified's Operation World Language Project will provide military dependent students attending Cabrillo and Dewey an opportunity to learn German or Mandarin through a foreign language elementary school program that combines classroom instruction with cultural enrichment activities.

"We recognize that significant language gains are made at an early age and are proud to work with the San Diego Unified School District on this endeavor and to enhance K-12 language education,” said David Edwards, Program Manager, Defense Language and National Security Education Office.

There are more than a million school age children from military families, with the majority attending public schools throughout our nation. DoDEA is committed to supporting educational outcomes for all children of military families.

"The Defense Language and National Security Education Office and the DoD Education Activity are pleased to partner with the San Diego Unified School District in realizing the Strategic Foreign Languages Expansion Program, which is focused on improving strategic foreign language education in military-connected schools," said Dr. Michael Nugent, Director, Defense Language and National Security Education Office.

To be eligible, Local Education Agencies must have a military student population of at least five percent at the district level. Participating schools must have a military student population of at least 30 percent. The S-FLEP projects may be implemented at any grade level.

"We recognize that significant language gains are made at an early age and are proud to work with the San Diego Unified School District on this endeavor and to enhance K-12 language education,” said David Edwards, Program Manager, Defense Language and National Security Education Office.

Sherman Academy Recognized as 'Promising Practice' for Educating English Learners

 Principal Caballero and students at Sherman.

Sherman Academy's goal of creating bilingual and bi-literate students has been designated a "Promising Practice for English Learners" by the US Department of Education's National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Sherman is a pre-K through fifth grade dual-language immersion program where students receive half of their instruction in English, and half in Spanish located in the Sherman Heights neighborhood east of downtown San Diego. It is one of San Diego's oldest schools.

"Key to Sherman’s philosophy is the goal of creating bilingual and biliterate students, and Sherman’s principal and staff work hard to make sure that parents are invested in this mission," the report said. "The school has seen promising outcomes over the four years since the program has been implemented, moving aggregated student performance from 127 points below the state average to a mere 13 points below."

The report cited the school's relationship with parents, making them an important part of their child's education.

"Engaging parents is very important and that’s why parents, teachers, staff, and the administration make a commitment to work together for the benefit of our students," parent Minerva Espejo said in the report. "The parents walk next to the principal, not in front of or behind him, and this supports our children’s success."

Principal Edward A. Caballero said the school's immersion program, which began when the rebuilt Sherman reopened in 2007, is showing results that are helping kids be better prepared for the world around them.

"Early language acquisition not only gives them the skills to move between a variety of nations and cultures," he said, "but studies have shown it helps children develop critical thinking skills that help them later in life."

Sherman's staff works to prepare students for life in a global society by giving them a strong foundation in English and Spanish language arts, using an acclaimed reading and writing program through immersion in both languages. The dual immersion challenges students with half instruction in English, the other in Spanish, an innovative strategy that aims to move students to fluency and higher achievement. The program was developed with active involvement of community leaders and parents.

The full report is available for download at http://www.ncela.gwu.edu/files/uploads/promising_EL/sherman.pdfs. For more information, contact Caballero at (619) 615-7000.

Correia Middle School Hosts Exchange Teacher from China

Ailing Fu

Correia Middle School in Pt. Loma proud to be hosting an exchange teacher from China this year.

The teacher, Ailing Fu, is teaching Mandarin Chinese this year in Correia's language program. Pt. Loma area schools now offer Mandarin Chinese through grades, ranging from elementary at Barnard Elementary, Correia and Dana middle schools, and Pt. Loma High School.

Ms. Fu is visiting as part of the State Departments's 2011 Teachers of Critical Languages Program along with 24 other teachers from China and Egypt. The Teachers of Critical Languages Program is designed to increase the study and acquisition of important world languages in U.S. schools.

This program enables primary and secondary schools to strengthen their teaching of Arabic and Mandarin by bringing Egyptian and Chinese teachers of English as a Foreign Language to the U.S. to teach Arabic and Chinese language and culture for an academic year. In addition, Arabic and Chinese teachers have the opportunity to learn more about U.S. teaching methodologies, culture, and society, as well as to improve their English language proficiency.

The Teachers of Critical Languages Program is funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, which fosters mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries around the world through academic, cultural, and professional exchanges. The program is administered by American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS (http://www.americancouncils.org).