The Granville County Board of Education heard a presentation on Monday from a group of educators who proposed that West Oxford Elementary become the site of a dual language program.
As the old saying goes, “All it takes is time and money.” In this case, it’s time, money and bilingual native Spanish-speaking teachers.
West Oxford Assistant Principal Jacquel Green, along with staff members Regina Harris, Sonia Hernández and Rita Jackson, spoke to the board about the positive impact a dual language program could have at their school and they provided details for implementation. Principal Bethany Bonnemere appeared via video to explain the importance of creating bilingual and biliterate students.
Board members asked questions and provided positive feedback to the West Oxford team. Board Chair David Richardson ultimately made a motion, which was seconded and approved, for the idea to be considered at the Feb. 25 meeting of the Finance Committee. The committee will meet virtually at 11 a.m.
West Oxford has a Global Leadership theme, which the dual language program would complement nicely, but the big question is: How would it be funded?
Green shared with the board that no area charter schools currently offer a dual language program; Person and Warren counties each have one school that offers dual language and Durham County has three schools with dual language programs.
More than 25 families with students currently in pre-school completed a survey from the school expressing interest.
Harris, a 3rd grade lead teacher, explained that the initial kindergarten cohort would have two native Spanish-speaking teachers who would co-teach 24 students. The majority of instruction would be in Spanish, with 30 minutes of daily instruction in English.
Each year, a new native Spanish-speaking teacher would be added and a new cohort of kindergarten students would join the program. In some cases, teachers would “loop up” and move grade levels with the class.
As students approach the 3rd grade, they would receive more instruction in English in preparation for end-of-grade tests, but most math instruction would be given in Spanish.
The team asked the board for a 10-year commitment to the program – an investment of time and money. Allowing the kindergarten cohort to get to high school, Hernández said, would show the kinds of gains they can make in becoming bilingual and biliterate.
The vendor that partners with the school now to implement its global leadership theme also provides support for dual language programs, Green said, and can help identify qualified teachers.
A program coordinator is needed, and this person would have a number of responsibilities, including being a substitute when teachers are absent to ensuring the program is implemented appropriately.
Board member Leonard Peace said it sounded like a wonderful program to have. “I certainly hope we can afford to do it,” Peace said. “I would like to make sure we can afford to do it before we make the decision.”
Dr. Gregory McKnight agreed, and said the program would be “an investment that would pay good dividends for our students and our system.”
