Providence CENTER
Unionville Elementary ’ s dual language program hailed for its success
Dual language , which is instruction taught in both English and a second language , is thriving at Unionville Elementary School . It ’ s been so successful , it ’ s gotten the attention of legislators and the state superintendent .
State Rep . Craig Horn and State Superintendent Mark Johnson visited the school after hearing about the success of its dual language program . They both toured the classrooms seeing firsthand the success of the program .
“ This is incredible ,” Horn said . “ It ’ s not only an incredible opportunity , it ’ s motivating . I ’ m so encouraged . I can ’ t wait to get back to the Legislature and share my experiences , and talk about the looks on those kids ’ faces . They are participating in a learning adventure .”
Unionville Elementary launched its dual language Spanish program in 2013-14 . It is currently being taught in grades K-3 , but over the next two years , there are plans to expand the program to fourth and fifth grades as well .
“ If I seem overly excited , it ’ s because I am ,” Unionville Elementary principal Sharyn VonCannon told her special guests . “ I believe in this program .”
A few parents were on hand to share their thoughts with Horn and Johnson . “ We were very apprehensive about the program to begin with because there were a lot of unknowns , but we made a leap of faith and put our daughter Ashlyn in the program ,” said parent Brandon Pressley .
“ She cried every day for six weeks , frustrated with the program and the fact that she couldn ’ t catch onto it . Dr . VonCannon encouraged us to trust her and stick with it and we did ,” Pressley said . “ After six weeks , it was like someone turned on a light switch .
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She started picking up on it and has done a phenomenal job . It ’ s the best decision I ’ ve made for my kids .”
Ashlyn remembers her first day of class being a little scary . “ I couldn ’ t understand anything they were saying ,” she said . “ I didn ’ t know anyone around me and I was scared . In about six or seven weeks , I started feeling more comfortable . Now , sometimes I ’ ll be reading in English , but I ’ m trying to translate it into Spanish and I have to remind myself , ‘ This is English .’ ”
UCPS Superintendent Dr . Andrew Houlihan said dual language education has major long-term advantages for the students .
“ Eventually you ’ re going to have kids come out of this program bilingual and bi-literate , which will completely be a game changer for them when it comes to college and careers ,” he said .
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Unionville Elementary kindergartener Karsyn Medlin presents State Rep . Craig Horn with a card when he visited her class .
— This article was provided by the Union County Public Schools Communications Office .
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