Школа Спрингфилда частично восстановит программу двуязычного погружения

Springfield Public Schools partially restores dual immersion program EUGENE, Ore. — Springfield Public Schools plans to partially restore its dual-language immersion program after significant cuts to the program earlier this school year. The cuts were intended to help address the district’s projected $7.9 million budget deficit PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Springfield schools face backlash over proposed dual immersion program changes During Monday night’s Budget Committee work session, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator Taylor Madden presented changes that would restore one full-time equivalent staff position at Springfield High School for the dual-language immersion program. The district also plans to designate a K-12 dual-language immersion coordinator to oversee programs at Guy Lee Elementary School, Hamlin Middle School and Springfield High School. Guy Lee Assistant Principal Armando Garcia will serve as the coordinator. The changes will not restore all of the program’s previous staffing and programming. However, the district was able to partially restore the program after receiving additional funding from the Summer Learning Grant and High School Success Grant, which allowed it to bring back one full-time equivalent position. At the middle school level, dual-language immersion will remain an elective course students can take. The district has also applied for the Oregon Department of Education’s Pathways to Multilingualism Grant, which could provide additional support for expanding the program. If awarded, the district would receive $50,000 for one year. The money could be used for community engagement efforts or to purchase bilingual or dual-language curriculum materials. The grant funds cannot be used for staffing. The district expects to learn by October whether it will receive the grant. Springfield Public Schools will hold a K-12 Dual Language Immersion parent meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, August 27 Hamlin Middle School, to explain the changes and gather feedback from parents, families and students.