This document provides information about Alpine Union School District's new foreign language immersion program. It begins by outlining the benefits of immersion programs according to research findings. It then describes Alpine's Spanish immersion program, which will begin with preschool, kindergarten and 1st grade in the 2013-2014 school year. The goals, models, and registration process for the program are explained. Contact information is provided for those with additional questions.

1. Foreign Language Immersion Program
Parent Information Prerequisite
3/14/2013

2. Objectives
 Define foreign language immersion
 Review the findings of the research
 Describe Alpine’s Program
 Communicate the Registration Process and Terms
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3. Assets of Alpine Union
 Full Day Kindergarten
 Innovations equate to Engagement, Individualization,
and Deeper Learning
 Pathways Plus
 Shadow Hills- Communication, Collaboration &
Technology
 Experienced, Caring, Skilled and Dedicated Teachers
 Incredible Parents & Great Children
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4. Benefits of a Dual Language
Program Based on Research
Educational Benefits of Dual Language Participation:
Development of literacy in two or more languages has cognitive advantages:
increasing mental flexibility, divergent thinking, and mathematical problem
solving.
Perform equally well if not better than their peers in English-only classrooms.
Acquire advanced levels of functional second language proficiency.
Have increased job options and preparation for the labor market and the need
for bilingual workers.
Attain increased skills for bridging across multiple cultural worlds.
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5. Foreign Language Immersion is…
 At Least 50% Instruction in Target Language
 A long term 6-10 year commitment
 Challenging for the student
 The gift of bilingualism
“I view your program to be a gift to the students. Being
bilingual at such a young age is incredible! It offers so many
opportunities for students: to learn vocabulary, make new
friends, learn and feel comfortable in more than one culture,
become more empathetic and worldly, and even delay
dementia in old age.”
Teacher in a current immersion program in SD County
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6. Foreign Language Immersion is
not…
 An afterschool program
 Language Enrichment offered for 30 minutes per day
 A short term investment
 An easy educational experience
 A program for “smart” kids
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7. Purpose of Program
 Meet the needs of parents who see the value of giving
children the gift of bilingualism.
 Expand the educational and professional opportunities
for students.
 Enhance the learning potential of students by
expanding children’s cognitive capacity.
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8. Goals of the Program
Academic Excellence in Two Languages
 Offer 10 continuous years of an immersion program spanning
preschool through 8th grade (beginning with preschool, kinder and
1st grade in 2013-14 and adding a grade level each year after)
 Produce student achievement in English and mathematics that is
equal or greater than the district cohort enrolled in English only
instruction measured by 4th grade results.
 100% of the students who spend at least 6 years in the program
will attain full biliterate status.
 The District will retain 90% of students living in Alpine that would
otherwise attend foreign language programs in other school
districts.
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9. Alpine’s Spanish Immersion
Program
Beginning Year of Program: 2013-14
Grade Levels Offered in 2013-14: preschool (fee based),
kindergarten, and First grade
Location: Creekside-preschool and kinder, Shadow Hills Elementary
School -First Grade
Program Model Configuration: 50-50 model. Students are instructed
in Spanish at least 50% of the day in core subjects such as reading,
writing, mathematics, science, and social studies. The other half of
the day students learn to read, write, and speak in English, and learn
other core subjects in English.
Parents understand that a long term (6 + years) commitment to the
program is necessary to maximize student achievement goals.
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10. Alpine Model is Based on
Research and Current
Success of the state initiative
in Utah
View Utah Model Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTG0YFU8vWA
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11. How does academic achievement
compare looking at students in
immersion programs vs. those in
a traditional setting?
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12. Nestor English Language Arts (CST)
Grades 3-8 --- Compare Students in Language
Academy, District, State
Lang Acad RFEP Lang Acad EP
Across the grade
levels, Language 425
Dist EP State Av EP
Academy students
make significantly
400
greater growth than
their comparison
375
peers.
350
RFEP students
close achievement
325
gap with state and
district EPs -
300
scoring higher at
grades 4-5 and 8.
275
3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th

13. Nestor English Math (CST)
Grades 3-8 --- Compare Students in Language
Academy, District, State
 Notice that Lang
Lang Acad EP Dist EP State Av EP
Acad. (EP) students
are advanced (400+) 450
and District and State
EP are Profcient. 425
400
375
350
325
300
3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th

14. Nestor Elementary Data
Immersion Creates New Levels of
Potential for All Students!
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15. Dual Language Programs in San Diego County
70
60
4
50 7
DL Programs
40 14
30 3 New Programs
3
2 Existing Programs
3
20 5
2 1
3
10 2
1 1 1 0 1 0 0
4
0 1
2007
1978
1981
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2008
2009
2010
2012
2011 First Year of Program Implementation
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16. Registration Process
 Attend Parent Information Night or Watch the Recorded
Parent Information Prerequisite
 Understand & Commit to the Program
 Complete the Kindergarten or 1st grade registration
packet
 Complete the Spanish Immersion Registration Form
 Enroll in the Program by registering at Creekside
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17. Forms That Can Be Turned in
Later
 Immunizations -Required immunizations must be
turned in by 8/26/2013
All other parts of the registration form must be turned in
for AUSD to accept the packet and establish your place
on the enrollment list.
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18. Preschool Program
Creekside Early Learning Language Academy
 AUSD Preschool will open the middle of August 2013.
 The program has been appropriately created for children ages 3 and 4. Young students will learn in both Spanish and
English during the academic portion of the day which is 9am to 12:30pm. Other activities throughout the day include
natural science, art, music and physical activities, all within a nurturing environment where each child can explore and
thrive.
 Located on the Creekside campus: 8818 Harbison CYN RD, Alpine.
 Operating hours for the preschool will be 7am to 5pm Monday through Friday. This is a 12 month program.
 Full day care tuition will be $725.00
 Half day care tuition will be $550.00 (Any 5 hrs within the operating hours).
 Offer a high quality preschool program to AUSD families and families outside the district. Follow the same core academic
value as AUSD Kindergarten and First grade and prepare each child to succeed.
 Each student to attain higher academic achievement, greater grasp of language skills and exposure to other cultures.
 Preschool Early Learning Language Academy: Tina Raleigh @ traleigh@alpineschools.net or 619-659-8695
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19. Questions
Top Ten Answers for Parents About Immersion Education
http://www.carla.umn.edu/immersion/acie/vol10/may2007_parentsten.
html
Registration Questions
Julia Foster jfoster@alpineschools.net 619-659-8250
Pick up registration packets and turn in to Creekside
Program Questions
Principal, Yvette Maier ymaier@alpineschools.net 619-659-8250
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