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Partial Immersion Program Parent Information Meeting Richmond Drive Elementary November 3, 2011 November 8, 2011

The Partial Immersion Team Patrick Maness – Principal Sally Tucker – Program Teacher Lynn Fulton – Elementary World Language Teacher (and SC World Language Teacher of the Year) Lisa Smith – Kindergarten Partner Teacher Judy Mobley – Director of Secondary Education (and World Languages)

We are Richmond Drive Our mission is to equip every student with the skills, character and experiences in order to positively impact our world. Our vision is to develop learners who make a difference. Our school is built on the foundation of these shared beliefs: safety, diversity, whole child focus, social responsibility, cooperation, inclusion, creativity and excellence.

Language at Richmond Drive 1997: PTO pays for third graders to have Spanish lessons. 2003: RDES pilots KITE-LL Spanish Language program in 3 rd -5 th grades. 2010: Spanish curriculum expands to K-5 th grade and RDES becomes a School of Choice for World Language. Partial Immersion study and planning begins. 2012: Partial Immersion begins in Kindergarten. 2013: Partial Immersion begins in 1 st Grade. 2014: Partial Immersion begins in 2 nd Grade.

Benefits of Language Learning Has a positive effect on intellectual growth Enriches and enhances a child’s mental development Leaves students with more flexibility in thinking, greater sensitivity to language, and a better ear for listening. Improves a child’s understanding of his/her native language.

Benefits of Language Learning Gives a child the ability to communicate with people s/he would otherwise not have the chance to know. Opens the door to other cultures and helps the child understand and appreciate people from other countries. Gives the child a head start in language requirements for college. Increases job opportunities/careers Center for Applied Linguistics

Partial Immersion Two kindergarten classes with immersion students (Teacher/Student Ratio of 25:1) Students receive 50% of their classroom instruction (Math and Science) in Spanish Students receive the other 50% of their classroom instruction (Language Arts and Social Studies) in English

Partial Immersion Teachers switch groups of students at a determined point during the day to provide an equal amount of instruction in English and Spanish. Curriculum is integrated with experiences to support instruction in all areas throughout the day. The two teachers plan closely together to support the total kindergarten instructional program incorporating state standards.

Partial Immersion The Spanish teacher will be carefully recruited. We will target our efforts toward teachers who are certified in Early Childhood Education or Elementary Education and who have native or near-native proficiency in Spanish. An Spanish-speaking assistant will be present in the Immersion classroom as well.

Parent support Parents do not need to know Spanish in order for their child to be in the program. Parents do not have to know Spanish to help their child with homework, either. Homework will be a reinforcement of skills taught. Parents should encourage their child to do their best on assignments in Spanish and assist as needed in other content area homework.

Parent Commitment 1.Parents must have long-term commitment to this program in order for the benefits to be realized. 2.Parents should support the total educational process and assist with instructional concepts in the language spoken in the home. 3.As questions and concerns arise, parents should address those to the teachers and administration as needed.

What about standardized testing? Kindergarten and First Grade—No standardized tests are given. Second and Third Grades—Students are on par with other children. There might be a slight delay due to acquiring academic content in both languages. Fifth and Sixth Grades—Partial Immersion students usually surpass monolingual students their same age. Progress in reading and math is monitored throughout elementary school via MAP and other measures.

Middle/High School Continuation The district is committed to continue world language program development to meet the needs of partial immersion students in middle and high school. Options may include grouping students for advanced Spanish classes or continuing partial immersion classes in content areas.

Registration Process 1.Submit a Letter of Intent to Mr. Maness by December 14. This helps ensure spots for RDES students. 2.Complete a School of Choice application online between January 21-February 29. Parents must fill out a SOC application in addition to the Letter of Intent. 3.Once notified of acceptance, enroll your child at Richmond Drive in the spring.

Fairfax County, VA Schools /eip.asx

Additional Questions?

For Additional Information Follow Up Partial Immersion Meeting November 29 at 6:30 PM Richmond Drive website: rd.rock-hill.k12.sc.us