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New Trilingual Immersion Program Teaches Students English, Spanish, and Vietnamese
(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—- SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) offers K–12 students the option to attend a school other than their home school to take advantage of one of the many specialized educational programs offered at select schools. SBCUSD will mail application forms to families in December. The deadline to apply is January 18, 2019, before 4 p.m.
The Dual Language Immersion Program promotes bilingualism and biliteracy in English and Spanish for native Spanish speakers and native English speakers. Students receive academic instruction in English for part of the school day and Spanish for the remainder of the school day. The idea is that all students will be exposed to their native language and a second language in an academic setting. Bonnie Oehl Elementary School offers the 90/10 model, with instruction in Spanish for 90 percent of the day and English for 10 percent starting in kindergarten, with English instructional time increasing by 10 percent at each grade level. Arrowview Middle School and San Bernardino High School (SBHS) offer follow-up programs for students who successfully complete the elementary Dual Language Immersion Program or who can demonstrate they are fluent and literate in English and Spanish. Students in the Arrowview and SBHS programs take half their classes in each language.
The new Trilingual Immersion Program will be offered at Belvedere Elementary School. The trilingual program is similar to the Dual Language Immersion Program, with 80 percent of instruction in Spanish and 10 percent in English starting in kindergarten. Students will also have Vietnamese-language instruction for 10 percent of the day. As students progress through the program, English-language instruction will increase by 10 percent each school year, with Vietnamese-language instruction remaining consistent at 10 percent each year. Parents who are interested in the Trilingual Immersion Program must attend an informational meeting prior to their children entering the program.
Rio Vista Elementary School offers SANKOFA: Students Acquiring New Knowledge Optimizing Future Accomplishments. This research-based program uses culturally relevant teaching methods that resonate with culturally diverse learners. SANKOFA students are taught the same Common Core State Standards as all students, but in a way that allows African-American students to better connect to the material.
Kimbark and North Verdemont Elementary Schools offer environmental education programs that include hands-on activities in the school gardens and field trips that integrate nature and science into all aspects of the curriculum.
North Park Elementary School offers a Full-Day Kindergarten Program with a focus on developing the total child, academically, physically and socially. Students do not begin attending for a full day until the third week of school.
Students interested in the arts can apply to the Fine Arts Magnet Program at Anton or Palm Avenue Elementary Schoolsor the Creative & Performing Arts Magnet Program at Salinas Elementary School.
For a full list of all Magnet Programs, consult the 2019–2020 Options brochure or contact SBCUSD Enrollment and Placement Services at (909) 889-7576.
Students must be currently enrolled or pre-enrolled in an SBCUSD school and meet specific program requirements to be accepted into a Magnet Program. All qualifying students will be selected for Magnet Program participation based on a random, unbiased drawing on January 28, 2019.
SBCUSD provides transportation for students in most Magnet Programs, but parents should check with Enrollment and Placement Services at (909) 889-7576 for more information. Magnet Program applications must be completed and returned to Enrollment and Placement Services, 781A W. 2nd Street in San Bernardino, before 4 p.m. on Friday, January 18, 2019. Applications dropped off at a school site will not be considered.
