Spanish Immersion in IUSD Elementary

[IrvineBilingualMom]

I am starting a grassroots group of parents interested in Spanish dual language education in the Irvine Unified School District at the elementary level. More information is available at:https://www.facebook.com/mybilingualchildirvine
If you are interested or know of interested parents, you may message me here or on the Facebook page above.

 

[iacrenter]

This is also known as the Santa Ana Unified School District program

 

[socal78]

Don't you have to have a larger Hispanic population in the intended Spanish-immersion school? That's how it is in our district where it is offered at select locations (SVUSD.) Wouldn't IUSD have a hard time achieving that?

 

[bones]

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[IrvineBilingualMom]

It is true that having a few native Spanish speakers in a class is helpful, but it is not necessary. School districts around the country run successful dual immersion programs, often without a large base of native speakers.
Here's an interesting article in Education News on the cognitive benefits of learning a second language at an early age:http://www.educationnews.org/parenting/language-immersion-especially-early-on-helps-kids/

 

[bones]

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[IrvineBilingualMom]

Hi, Bones,
Could you please message me via Facebook with your email address, the start years of your kiddos in kindergarten and your local elementary school? I would love to add you to the list. In addition to my child starting kindergarten in 2014-2015, I have a two year old.
I agree there is interest, the challenge is getting the word out to the parents. Please spread the word to your friends driving to Capo.
Merage Preschool in Turtle Rock has Spanish & Italian immersion for preschoolers.

 

[bones]

[.

 

[IrvineBilingualMom]

Yes, it is jcc.

 

[adventurous]

I am not sure the idea will raise a huge interest in Irvine (due to the obvious ethnic reasons ). However I don't see why the school district would object this, if there are enough interested parents and kids

 

[Meggie]

There was an effort for a bilingual charter school at TUSD in 2011 (Spanish-English and Mandarin-English) but got denied. 
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/9/prweb8827079.htm

OCBilingual mom may want to contact the proponent to learn the process.

 

[IrvineBilingualMom]

Thank you, Meggie! I just reached out to him for insight and set up a meeting.