It’s the first day of school for students in the Grass Valley School District; and for many kindergarten students it’s the first day of school- ever. And…In one kindergarten classroom at Bell Hill Academy it was also the first day of learning a whole new language.
Click here to listen to part of the Alphabet Song
Not the typical alphabet song many of us sang in school… as it is being sung in Spanish.
Maestra Robin- Robin McFadden-Black, is the teacher of the Dual Immersion Kindergarten Class at Bell Hill Academy.
Click here to listen to Maestra, Robin McFadden-Black
According to Maestra Robin- regardless of the language, the students are still 5 year old children and they need to feel comfortable in order to provide a quality learning experience. So how does the Maestra help them get comfortable?
Click here to listen to Maestra, Robin McFadden-Black
Students in the program, though a little shy in their new environment, are still excited about being in the class and learning new things.
Click here to listen to students
Parent Jody LaCosse said she is excited about the opportunity to have her son in the Dual Immersion Program.
Click here to listen to Jody LaCosse
The Dual Immersion Program is in its second year at Bell Hill Academy. Principal Debbie Platt says that the students from last years kindergarten class have moved on to a similar program in first grade.
Click here to listen to Principal, Debbie Platt
The Dual Immersion program is the first of its kind in Nevada County and the Grass Valley School District is extremely supportive of the program.
Ron Smith
Why should we have to learn Spanish???? This is OUR English-speaking country, not Mexico!!!!!!!!! What a freaking joke.
Desiree Brito
My Daughter Is In This Program, And She Loves It Already!
Michelle
Ron, I feel that is an extremely ignorant comment. My son is also in the program because I made the educated choice to enroll him, nobody said my son had to learn to speak Spanish. I graduated college with a major in Early Childhood Education and studied these immersion programs extensively, they're amazing. Maybe you should look into them a little bit and educate yourself before making a comment like that. I don't know if you've looked around lately but this country is diverse, has been since it was founded and my hope is that my son grows up to respect and appreciate that.