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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Education notebook: SPS to hold information session on Spanish immersion

Spokane Public Schools will host an informational session on its Spanish immersion program 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Libby Center, SPS’s educational center for gifted students.

The district started the Spanish immersion program in 2017 with 50 kindergartners. The program has expanded each year to accommodate the next incoming kindergarten class, allowing it to add one grade level annually. By the 2020-21 school year, the program will serve kindergarten through third grade, and the district plans for it to eventually become a full elementary program for all grade levels.

Immersion programs are thought to be a more effective means for language acquisition than more traditional classroom approaches because language is taught through providing typical core content with instruction at least half the time in the target language, and the remaining time in the students’ native language.

In the Libby Center’s immersion classrooms, students may be taught in all English one week and then in all Spanish the next, as well as some specific subjects being taught in all Spanish. Comprehension is aided by expressive and exaggerated body language, facial expressions and intonation, as well as use of visuals.

Curriculum standards at the Libby Center remain consistent with all other SPS schools, so students can expect to learn the same content but with some lessons crafted to be taught in Spanish. Because of this simultaneous content and language learning, students can only enroll at second grade and on if they already have some Spanish language skills.

Enrollment began this month and will be open through Feb. 15. Because twice as many applications are submitted than there is space available, applications are chosen through a lottery process and those not enrolled are added to a waitlist.

Anyone interested in the program is welcome to attend the information session at the Libby Center at 2900 E. First Ave. Another information session will be available on Feb. 3, 6-8 p.m.

Get a glimpse of

Horizon MS construction

Central Valley School District will host a Horizon Middle School “Behind the Fence” tour on Jan. 16 for those interested in viewing the ongoing construction and renovations.

The renovated building, originally built in the 1980s, will be open in fall of 2020.

Those interested should meet at the main gate to get a pass to get onto the site, beginning at 4 p.m. until sunset. The site is at 3915 S. Pines Road.

Help name the new

Mead stadium

Mead School District is taking name suggestions for their new stadium located at the southwest corner of Market St. and Farwell Road, the site of the old Mead Middle School, that will represent the tradition and pride of the district.

From the names submitted, 3-5 will be chosen and presented later this month for the community to provide input on. To submit a name suggestion, visit mead354.org.

The Education Notebook appears every Thursday in the Voice. If you have news about your school, students or staff, please let us know so we can help spread the word. Email information to Rachel Baker at rachelb@spokesman.com or mail to Education Notebook, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. Items can be emailed to voice@spokesman.com.