Center aimed at helping break language barriers
Bilingual kindergarten teacher San Juanita Nekunazarazad does all she can to help her students. But at times, despite her best efforts, there are some students in her classroom who struggle because they're new to the country and don't know any English, she said. "It is so hard to teach when you have kids that have been here in the United States and then you have a kid who has come from Mexico," the Daugherty Elementary School teacher said. "He is so lost and has not had much exposure to English or they've never heard English before." Mrs. Nekunazarazad said the problem is compounded when the new student leaves the secure environment of a bilingual classroom to go to other classes, such as music or physical education, where only English is spoken. To help those students, the Garland school district has created a program that is designed for Spanish-speaking students who are new to the United States. The Bilingual Newcomer Center will open next fall. "It's been an ongoing need with districts across the nation, and Garland is no different," said Shannon Terry, the district's assistant director of bilingual and English as a second language programs. "During our peak enrollment period in the summer, we enroll an average of 200 students a week [in the district's bilingual program]." That's why the center is needed, Ms. Terry said. The program will meet the unique academic and social needs of those students and will differ from traditional bilingual programs, Ms. Terry said. "The vast majority of newcomers are classified as non-English speaking. They have varied education backgrounds, and the families need to be acquainted with the public school system and the United States," Ms. Terry said. In the Garland school district, Hispanic students make up about 28 percent of the student population. There are 14,626 Hispanic students, 9,371 Spanish-speaking students and 3,250 students who participate in English as second language classes, according to district records. The bilingual participant enrollment has increased from 1,182 students in the 1992-93 school year to 3,344 students this year. District records show that there are 923 students in kindergarten through fifth grade who have been in the country less than two years. Concept not new The concept of a newcomer's center is not new. Irving, Fort Worth, Carrolton-Farmers Branch and Richardson are among the school districts with programs targeting students new to the country. Successful elements of other programs may be incorporated into Garland's, Ms. Terry said. "There is no true set definition of what is a newcomer's program on the national level," Ms. Terry said. "What you see often is adaptations of what's tried and true in other districts." To help make its program successful, the district will revise and refine its own curriculum and rely on software designed to help students learn English. The program will be based at two magnet schools, Beaver and Watson technology centers. "Beaver and Watson were selected because it's cost-effective. The magnet program was in place, and transportation was easier," Ms. Terry said. "Also, there's more technology available - so what better place to put it than at a place that already teaches advanced technology?" During the first year, the program will target students in kindergarten and the first grade. In its first year, there will be four newcomer classrooms. The district will add two sections of the program per year during a three-year period for students in second through the fifth grades, said Dr. Deborah Cron, assistant superintendent for educational operations. "A different twist to our program is we're starting with kindergarten and first grade," Dr. Cron said. "Many other centers address older children - solely older children. "We targeted kindergarten through first grade as our first group because they can learn the language very rapidly," Dr. Cron said. "The earlier you get to the child, the quicker they'll learn." Dr. Cron also pointed out that the quicker the student learns the language, the sooner they can move into general education classes. "Our focus is to teach the students English." Dr. Cron said. "Dual language proficiency is great, and we hope that it's maintained at home." Parents of kindergarten and first-grade students are not required, but will have the option to enroll their children in the center to help make their transitions easier, Dr. Cron said. The goals of the Bilingual Newcomer Center include: *Providing students with a firm academic foundation. *Developing and accelerating students' English proficiency. *Orienting pupils to the school, educational system, community and U.S. culture and society. *Preparing students for a successful transition into bilingual, ESL or regular classes. *Providing materials and curriculum unique to math, science and technology, which would enhance language acquisition. *Providing learning opportunities with computers, software and other multimedia tools. Helping parents Besides helping the students, the district also will provide outreach to the parents, Ms. Terry said. "It's jump-starting them in their new home and new culture," Dr. Cron said. "We require students to have certain immunizations and that may be a new concept to them." Other new concepts may include the district's dress codes, attendance rules or whether parents can visit the school, Ms. Terry said. "We believe the parent-education piece is one of the components of children having a successful education," Ms. Terry said. "It's a partnership between parents and the school." Welcomed addition Joe Garcia, GISD liaison to the Hispanic community, said he thinks Hispanic families will be pleased with the idea. "I have no doubt in my mind that the families will approve 100 percent," Mr. Garcia said. "Right now we have bilingual classes with kids from all levels - newcomers through the third grade," Mr. Garcia said. "Newcomers being in classes that are all mixed up, they will struggle and fall behind." Mr. Garcia also said he thinks the center will help prepare students for the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills test. "Pretty soon, if the kids don't pass the TAAS, they're not going to be promoted. We're looking for ways to meet the needs of those kids," Mr. Garcia said. Mrs. Nekunazarazad said she thinks the idea is "beautiful." "As a teacher, you worry about him having a good day," Mrs. Nekunazarazad said. "That's why I think it's a beautiful idea." Staff writer Toya Lynn Stewart can be reached at 972-272-6591, ext. 225 and by e-mail at tstewart@dallasnews.com. |