Richfield Dual Language School entschool.cgi

Richfield, Hennepin County, Minnesota 33,749 Inhabitants Median Household Income = $50,651

Local Elementary School Demographics

Richfield Dual Language School Our Vision In partnership with our families and the community, the vision of the Richfield Dual Language School is to prepare all students to become lifelong learners and leaders in their local and global communities who successfully meet or exceed grade level expectations in English and Spanish through an education built on the foundations of bilingualism, strength of diversity, academic rigor, critical-thinking, and mutual respect. Our Goals Development of high levels of proficiency in the students’ first and second (or additional) languages High academic achievement in both languages of study Development of positive cross-cultural attitudes and behaviors Taken from School Website:

Richfield Dual Language School (K-2) Population: 255 students Student/Teacher Ratio: 24/1 Free/Reduced Lunch: 55% ELL: 35% Special Education: 9% Kindergarten – 4 sections 1 st grade – 4 sections 2 nd grade – 3 sections Provided by Assistant Principal Luis Versalles

Program Model 90/10 with gradual progression to 50/50 Kindergarten – 90/10 1st grade – 90/10 2nd grade – 80/20 3rd grade – 70/30 (English Literacy Program added) 4th grade – 60/40 or 50/50 5th grade – 50/50 Specials conducted in English Provided by Assistant Principal Luis Versalles

Model Decision After a thorough review of the foreign language program and ESL programs in the district as well as research on the most meaningful way to reach Latinos in the school system. The district found that starting a new Dual Language school would fit their needs the best. New school: started with Kindergarten and each year a new grade level is added. Provided by Assistant Principal Luis Versalles

Staff All staff up to this point are Bilingual with native or native like proficiency Many from other countries Many from Minnesota with Bi-cultural families Must have knowledge of SLA Must be contact teachers Try to balance foreign/US born staff Provided by Assistant Principal Luis Versalles

Curriculum/Materials All classes are taught in Spanish with materials available through publishing companies such as Pearson Prentice Hall. Everyday Math – program through University of Chicago available in Spanish and English Only minutes per day in English Everyday math is a district wide program. Onsite library with 80% of materials in Spanish Provided by Assistant Principal Luis Versalles

Assessment FLOSEM – Foreign Language Oral Skills Evaluation Matrix Administered every year SEM.pdf SOPA – Spanish Oral Proficiency Assessment Administered in kindergarten and second grade Provided by Assistant Principal Luis Versalles

PTSO and support Overwhelming support from the community Many parents have been involved in both the vision and planning stages of the school PTSO provides both advocacy and education to the public about the program PTSO conducts parent meetings in both Spanish and English PTSO run by a pair of co-presidents, one of whom is bilingual in order to provide a welcoming environment for parents from both language backgrounds Provided by Assistant Principal Luis Versalles

Funding Public Magnet school funded primarily through the state government Fundraisers conducted by the district and PTSO Craft fairs Culvers days Multicultural fairs MAIN Fundraising carnival Provided by Assistant Principal Luis Versalles

Future Plans Extend school to 5 th grade Planning program for middle school to offer immersion through 8 th grade Classes for in English and Spanish for parents Provided by Assistant Principal Luis Versalles

For more information… Richfield Dual Language School Website: Richfield Public School Website: Minnesota Advocates for Immersion Network Everyday Mathematics

Thank you To Assistant Principal Luis Versalles who took the time to provide me with the above information on Richfield Dual Language School.