Highland hosted educators from OSPI last week to share about their two-way dual language program. The visit started off with an informational session hosted by principal, Katie Klug, and the Directors of Programs for Multilingual Learners – Heidi LaMare and Jennifer Johnson. They celebrated how the dual language program increased engagement in school because of the students’ ability to access content in Spanish. The program has also presented an opportunity to increase rigor for students.
The visitors went on classroom tours to math and language arts classes after the informational session. The math class was taught entirely in Spanish while the language arts class focused on learning aspects of the Spanish language. The visitors got a first hand look at dual language learning in action through talking with the students and seeing some of their projects.
The principal, Katie Klug, talked about future plans since Highland is currently under construction. The new building will feature signage throughout the school in both English and Spanish. The school happened to have a shelter in place drill that day, and the visitors got to listen as the announcement was first made in English, then in Spanish. Klug talked about how Highland has focused on making intercom announcements in both languages, and how students will get involved by helping out with the morning announcements.