Dual Language Academy promotes first graduating class

A big shout out to the first graduating class of the Dual Language Academy of the Monterey Peninsula. It seems like yesterday when a group of parents stood strong to keep their bilingual school together, and fought to extend it from a K-6 to K-8. And here you have it, the fully bilingual students heading to Stevenson, York, Marina High, Seaside High, Monterey High and the MAOS program at MHS.

Congrats to you all! And to all the Monterey County graduates, high school, community colleges and four-year universities. Your talents make our community strong. I wish I could go to every one of the ceremonies... if only I could clone myself and not forget to write dates down on my daybook...

Dual Language Academy hosts International Day.

Parents and teachers of the Dual Language Academy of the Monterey Peninsula invite the public to their First International Day, a continuation of the International Night tradition from the old Dual Language Immersion Program at Marshall Elementary.

The event seeks to enrich the lives of the students by sharing their culture or international experience. There will be tables representing different areas of the world  highlighting their culture with artifacts, special foods, clothing, musical instruments and traditions. Also, all students will be part of different performances, and guests from the community will perform. Invited groups include the Monterey Bay Chinese Lion Dance Team; El mariachi, and El ballet folckorico Aguila Blanca.

Admission is free. There will be food for sale and a silent auction. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday April 18. At the Dual Language Academy of the Monterey Peninsula, 225 Normandy Rd, Seaside.

Dual Language Academy of the Monterey Peninsula rocks on Hispanic Heritage

I decided to pay a visit to the brand new Dual Language Academy of the Monterey Peninsula -- the best decision ever taken by Monterey Peninsula Unified trustees.

Parents of the dual immersion program at Marshall West had been lobbying for more autonomy and to strengthen the program.  They were even thinking about becoming their own charter, and they sought inspiration from folks at the Bay View Academy charter.

In the end, they didn't have to spin off from the district. Administrators saw the wisdom to keep the parents in the district, so now the school remains at MPUSD and could perhaps serve a model for parental participation and enthusiasm.

Their Hispanic Heritage celebration was amazing. Children danced and sang, parents packed the multi-purpose room, and there was a great atmosphere all around. There's a lot of good energy in the school that I hope it's contagious and doesn't wane.

Here's a couple of performances, in case you missed them.

California approves MPUSD dependent charter Dual Language Academy

California education officials approved the Dual Language Academy of the Monterey Peninsula Charter School, MPUSD administrators announced Wednesday.

The charter proposal had major support from parents, backing from administrators, so it was bound to get support from the state.

As a dependent charter, the student population of the school will still count towards the total count for the district, and its finances and most of its operations will also be overseen by the district. The principal will be Tom Vanheukelem, now principal of Marshall West. The Dual Language Academy has been operating as a school program for seven years at Marshall West in Seaside. Administrators want to recruit a student population that's 50 percent native Spanish speaking, 50 percent native English speaker so the program can work. Students in the program spend half of each day studying in English and half of each day studying in Spanish, resulting in students who are fully bilingual and biliterate.

Interested parents should plan to attend Dual Language Academy recruitment meetings at the Cabrillo Family Center on February 24, at Marshall West Elementary on February 26, and at Marina Vista Elementary on February 28. All community meetings will start at 6:00pm. For more information please contact the school at (831) 899-1100.

MPUSD dual language program hosts magnet fair

 If you have a child who will enter kindergarten next year and would like your child to grow up fluent in two languages come learn about the Dual Language Program at Marshall School during the annual MPUSD magnet fair. 

The parent information meeting will take place at 5 p.m.,  Feb. 12, at Marshall Elementary, Room 10, 225 Normandy Ave, Seaside. For more info, contact Luisa Caballero at (831) 899 7052. 

Dual Immersion open house at Marshall Elementary

The Dual Language Immersion Program at Marshall Elementary is hosting an information session on Tuesday, Jan. 22, at the Cabrillo Resource Center, 1295 La Salle Ave., Seaside.

 A dual immersion program allows a child to learn two languages at the same time. Children who attend the program at Marshall learn English and Spanish simultaneously. For more information, click here

Salinas City Elementary to host dual immersion parent conference

Dual Language Program Advocates and the Salinas City Elementary School District will hold its 2nd annual dual immersion parent conference at Boronda Meadows Elementary School from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 17th.

 Dual immersion is a method that teaches students in two languages.

The conference is free and is geared toward prospective parents of incoming preschool, kinder and first graders and current dual immersion parents. Separate tracks for each session (in Spanish and English) will focus on areas specific to either group.

Enrichment activities will be provided for children in attendance.  Dual language expert Rosa Molina will deliver the keynote speech and host one of the breakout sessions.

Boronda Meadows is at 915 Larkin Street, Salinas.

To register click here or or call 831-607-9360. Walk-up registration is welcome.

Dual Language Program Advocates exists to promote and support dual language programs that develop bilingual, bi-literate and bicultural students in the city of Salinas and the state of California. For more info on dual immersion programs, click here or here.