Mosaic Spanish Immersion Pilot Project Commodore Options School 9530 N.E. High School Road Bainbridge Island, Washington 98110 206-780-1646 Fax 206-855-0511 MOSAIC Spanish Immersion Dear Prospective Families: Thank you for your interest in the MOSAIC Spanish Immersion. In 2012, the Bainbridge Island School District began a Spanish Immersion pilot project as a part of the Commodore Options Program. It is currently in its sixth month of operation. Twenty eight students are enrolled in the program: 19 in grades K-2 and 9 grades 3 and 4. No decision about the future of this pilot project has been made by the School District, but we anticipate knowing if and how the program will continue after the March 28, School Board Meeting. We have organized a series of events that will assist you in your decision to apply. Carefully read the following information, as there are critical dates for classroom visits and application deadlines. Here are critical dates, events and information for enrollment for the 2013-2014 school year: 1. Deadline to turn in MOSAIC Spanish Immersion application, Friday, March 1st. 2. Only the BISD Student Registration Form and IEP Notice is needed for initial enrollment process. 3. Optional classroom visitations are being scheduled for Wednesday, February 27 th, at 8:15 am, and Thursday, February 28 th, at 12:30 pm. Please contact Commodore Office Manager, Michelle Hope (mhope@bisd303.org), to schedule a visit.
Frequently Asked Questions about the BISD Immersion Program Prepared by Parents of Immersion Students, February 2013 Q: If the immersion program continues, I d like my child to be a part of it. How do I enroll? Applications for the 2013-2014 immersion pilot project are currently being accepted in the Commodore Office. A link to the application will be available through the Commodore Options website under the enrollment tab. If the program continues, space will be assigned on a first come first served basis, or by lottery if there are more applicants than spaces. Priority deadline is March 1 st. Q: What is immersion? A: Immersion is teaching a language by immersing students in language that is using the students second language as the medium of classroom instruction. In our pilot program, younger students (grades K-2) are taught in Spanish for 90% of their school day. Older students (grades 3-4) are taught in Spanish for 50% of their day. Immersion, especially at a young age, increases the chances of achieving full fluency in a new language. Q: What are the benefits of immersion and, more generally, bilingualism? A: Numerous studies have been done, in recent years, showing the advantages of bilingualism. Some of the more exciting areas of research show that bilingualism has a profound effect on the brain, improving cognitive skills and overall brain function. These effects last until old age. 1 The practical advantages of knowing two languages are also considerable: cultural appreciation, competitive advantage for jobs and college placement, communications skills. Q: Does immersing kids in a second language confuse them or negatively impact their primary language skills? A: Not typically. In fact, studies show that language immersion enhances primary language skill. According to 2009 article in Cornell University s Chronicle Online, Learning a second language does not cause language confusion, language delay or cognitive deficit, which have been concerns in the past. In fact, according to studies at the Cornell Language Acquisition Lab (CLAL), children who learn a second language can maintain attention despite outside stimuli better than children who know only one language. 2 Q: Are the kids learning math and science in the pilot program? A: Yes! The same curriculum used in BISD schools is used in Immersion classes. Students are learning about math, science and social studies (and other subjects) in Spanish and English, at grade appropriate levels. One of the goals of the BISD Spanish Immersion program is to increase overall student achievement, not just language skills. Q: Is immersion the only K-4 language program being offered by the School District? A: At the moment, yes. But the School Board is considering other language programs in the public schools, along with the continuation of the immersion program. Q: May I observe a class? A: Please contact Commodore Office Manager, Michelle Hope (mhope@bisd303.org), to schedule a visit. Classroom visitations are being scheduled for Wednesday, February 27 th, at 8:15 am, and Thursday, February 28 th, at 12:30 pm. Information about the class is also available on our class website: http://www.elvelero.org. Q: Does it cost extra to attend the Immersion Program? A: This program is part of the public school system and is free to students in grades 1-4. Costs for this program that are above the costs incurred in the neighborhood schools are covered through parent fundraising. We anticipate that this program, if it continues, will remain cost neutral to the district. Full day kindergarten, which is the only option for kindergarteners in Spanish Immersion, is the same fee across the district ($325 a month). Q: Is there required parental involvement if the program continues? A: We expect the required parental involvement will be similar to that of the Odyssey program. We will know the specific requirements after the school board s decision. 1 For a good introduction to research in this area, see Yudhijit Bhattacharjee, Why Bilinguals are Smarter, New York Times, March 17, 2012. 2 http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/may09/bilingual.kids.sl.html (accessed February 4, 2013).
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT # 303 Student Registration Form DO NOT WRITE IN SHADED AREA FOR OFFICE USE ONLY BISD SCHOOL NAME (circle) Wilkes Blakely Ordway Sakai Odyssey Woodward Eagle Harbor High Bainbridge High Mosaic K-8 Spanish Immersion Date Received Received By HAS THIS STUDENT EVER ATTENDED A SCHOOL IN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON? Yes No If yes, name of school and city School(s): City MOST RECENTLY ATTENDED SCHOOL OR DISTRICT NAME, CITY AND STATE, ZIP: School/District City State Zip Dates Attended: HAS THIS STUDENT EVER ATTENDED BISD SCHOOLS? Yes No If yes, name of school and year attended HAS STUDENT ATTENDED A PRE-SCHOOL? Yes No If yes, date of pre-school entry (estimate is fine) STUDENT NAME: Legal Last Name Legal First Name Legal Middle Name Also known as: SCHOOL ENTRY DATE (Month/Year) BIRTHDATE (Month/Day/Year) (please attach a copy of birth certificate) Verified GENDER Male Female PRIMARY LANGUAGE SPOKEN AT HOME (circle) English Spanish Other: BIRTHPLACE: City, State, Country REGISTERING FOR GRADE: STUDENT S NATIVE LANGUAGE (First language spoken by student) (circle) English Spanish Other: For student(s) born outside of the United States: How many months has the student attended public school (not private) in the United States (grades K-12) before enrolling in this district? months ETHNICITY and RACE Is your child of Hispanic or Latino origin? (Please check all that apply) Not Hispanic / Latino Puerto Rican Latin American Cuban Mexican / Mexican American / Chicano Other Hispanic / Latino Dominican Central American Spaniard South American What race(s) do you consider your child? (Please check all that apply) African American / Black Native Hawaiian Nisqually Fijian Nooksack White Guamanian or Chamorro Port Gamble Klallam Mariana Islander Puyallup Asian Indian Melanesian Quileute Cambodian Micronesian Quinault Chinese Samoan Samish Filipino Tongan Sauk-Suiattle Hmong Other Pacific Islander Shoalwater Indonesian Skokomish Japanese Alaska Native Snoqualmie Korean Chehalis Spokane Laotian Colville Squaxin Island Malaysian Cowlitz Stillaguamish Pakistani Hoh Suquamish Singaporean Jamestown Swinomish Taiwanese Kalispel Tulalip Thai Lower Elwha Yakama Vietnamese Lummi Other Washington Indian Other Asian Makah Other American Indian / Alaska Native Muckleshoot PRIMARY HOUSEHOLD (parent/guardian where student resides) (1) Legal Last Name Legal First Name Legal Middle Name PHONE #1 Home Phone (include area code) Please check if unlisted (2) Legal Last Name Legal First Name Legal Middle Name STUDENT LIVES WITH Both Parents Grandparents Guardian Father Only Father/Stepmother Agency Mother Only Mother/Stepfather Self RESIDENT (Street) Apt # City State ZIP MAILING (If different) Apt # City State ZIP Additional registration information required on the back of this form
SECOND HOUSEHOLD (1) Legal Last Name Legal First Name Legal Middle Name (2) Legal Last Name Legal First Name Legal Middle Name RESIDENT PHONE #1 - Home Phone (include area code) Please check if unlisted RELATIONSHIP Both Parents Grandparents Guardian Father Only Father/Stepmother Agency Mother Only Mother/Stepfather Self (Street) Apt # City State ZIP SECOND HOUSEHOLD MAILING (include City, State, and Zip) REQUEST 2 nd HOUSEHOLD MAILING Yes No EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION In an emergency situation, the parent/guardian will ALWAYS be called first. In the event we cannot reach a parent/guardian, please list two local contacts we may call to assist with medical emergencies. Contact Name: Home Phone Contact Name: Home Phone Cell Phone Cell Phone HEALTH INFORMATION Are there any medical concerns that we should know about your child before placement? Yes No If yes, please explain: Doctor: Phone No. Hospital Washington State Law requires that all students with life threatening health conditions must have the needed medical orders, medication and/or equipment, and a nursing care plan in place before the student may attend school. If your child must receive medication while at school, a "Medication at School" form must be completed and signed by the student's physician and parent/guardian. Washington State Law requires a completed, signed immunization certificate on file. STUDENT SERVICES HAS THIS STUDENT EVER BEEN ENROLLED OR SERVED IN A SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM? (IEP) Yes No IF YES, DOES THE STUDENT HAVE A CURRENT IEP? Yes No IS YOUR STUDENT ON A CURRENT 504 PLAN? Yes No DOES THIS STUDENT HAVE ANY PAST, CURRENT, OR PENDING DISCIPLINARY PROBLEMS? Yes No DOES THIS STUDENT HAVE ANY HISTORY OF VIOLENT BEHAVIOR? Yes No 2 HAS YOUR CHILD EVER BEEN RETAINED? Yes No If yes, at what grade level(s) HAS YOUR CHILD EVER PARTICPATED IN: Title LAP Gifted English Language Learner Speech Occupational/Physical Therapy Other 4 SIBLING INFORMATION Please provide information for ALL siblings related to this student. Student Name Age Birthdate Gender School (if applicable) 1. 2. 3. 4. VERIFICATION OF INFORMATION: The information on this form is true and accurate as of this date. I understand that falsification of information to achieve enrollment or assignment may be cause for revocation of the student s enrollment or assignment to a school in Bainbridge Island School District. Legal Parent/Guardian Signature Date
Students with Individualized Educational Plans (IEP) at Mosaic Spanish Immersion MOSAIC Spanish Immersion Spanish Immersion Pilot Project (SIPP) welcomes all students to apply including students with disabilities. However, SIPP is not intended to serve the needs of all students. Duplication of all programs and services found at other schools within the district is not always practical in this setting. Students who need more than what SIPP has available may best be served at a school where more intensive services are already in place. As part of the application process, SIPP staff will review the most current evaluation and IEP to determine if the services are available at SIPP. This determination will be based on the IEP as it is received from the last school attended. SIPP staff will not write a new IEP to change the IEP services based on program offerings. BISD considers SIPP to be a location change based on parent choice and not a change of services on the IEP. If it is determined that the services are available at SIPP then the student will be admitted. If the staff believes the services are not available at SIPP then the student will not be admitted. If the parent or adult student disagrees with this determination they can request a meeting with the SIPP administrator and other appropriate staff for review and reconsideration. If a student with a disability is already attending SIPP and subsequently the need for additional services becomes apparent, a reevaluation may be initiated and a new IEP will be developed as it would for any student. If the services are not available at SIPP then the student may enrolled at a school where those services are available. Please sign indicating that you have read and understand the above policy. Student Name: Parent/Guardian Signature: Date