FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ursula Kroemer Leimbach / communications@mdusd.org / mobile: (760) 705-6919
Parent informational meetings scheduled for Mt. Diablo Unified’s new Language Academy magnet program at Holbrook Elementary
Community invited to meet the principal and staff and learn about dual-immersion and other language offerings and multi-cultural activities
WHAT: Holbrook Language Academy School informational meetings
WHEN: Wednesday, June 14, 6 – 7:30 p.m., and again on Tuesday, June 20, from 8:30 – 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: Willow Creek Center, 1026 Mohr Lane, Concord (Directions)
BACKGROUND: Principal Marga Marshall will be sharing updates about Holbrook Language Academy, including information about the exciting Two-Way Dual Immersion (TWDI) program that will be offered as the school reopens in fall.
The TWDI program at Holbrook will be a K-5 program that includes English-dominant speakers with Spanish-dominant speakers. Students will receive instruction in both languages. The program will begin at the Kindergarten level for the 2017-2018 school year, and be extended to the next grade level in each successive year until it is K-5. The school will follow a 50/50 model where students spend 50 percent of their day learning to read and write in English, and the other 50 percent learning to read and write in Spanish.
It is not necessary for the new language to already be used at home. Dual immersion teachers are specially-trained as both subject area and language teachers, and will work together with families to make sure students are developing both their first and second languages from the early childhood grades and one.
Students at all grade levels will also be offered opportunities each week to learn a variety of languages, including Russian, German, and Italian. Numerous multi-cultural events will be held throughout the year, including grade-level presentations emphasizing a unique language and cultural practices for countries where the language is spoken. Extensive opportunities to engage in challenging instruction in science, technology, project-based learning and 21st century skills will help prepare Holbrook students for the future and global world.
Learn more about Holbrook Language Academy magnet at http://holbrook.mdusd.org/.
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Mt. Diablo Unified, located in Contra Costa County, is honored to serve approximately 32,000 students at one of more than 50 school sites in the cities of Clayton, Concord, Pleasant Hill; portions of Martinez, Pittsburg and Walnut Creek; and the unincorporated communities of Bay Point, Lafayette, and Pacheco. As part of a richly diverse community, MDUSD families represent numerous ethnic groups, speaking nearly 50 different languages and dialects. We offer innovative programs in Career Technical Education; Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM); extensive visual and performing arts programs; and rich foreign language and dual immersion offerings. MDUSD is also pleased to have launched its first middle college program, College Now, and is planning to open its first International Baccalaureate program and three new regional magnets in 2017. Learn more at http://www.mdusd.org/.
