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Dual Language Program Expands to Avon Elementary

      Five years ago, the Dual Language Program was introduced at Edwards Elementary with the goal of all children being bilingual and biliterate in English and Spanish.  This first group of students are now continuing the Dual Language Program at Berry Creek Middle School and are well on their way to achieving their goal.  However, it is just the beginning for a program that has gained in popularity among teachers, students and parents each year.  This year was the first year that Edwards Elementary School Kindergarten classes were all Dual Language.  Next year, the program is expanding to two Dual Language kindergarten classrooms at Avon Elementary.

      Here’s how it works: students in the program are made up of approximately equal numbers of native Spanish speakers and native English speakers.  Reading and writing instruction is provided in both the native and the second language.  Other classes will be taught in an immersion format, with the language of instruction varying between a balance of equal parts English and Spanish.  Two classrooms work together in tandem to switch between the English-speaking teacher and the Spanish-speaking teacher.

      It’s a gradual process, beginning with learning the basics in each language - colors, numbers, days of the week, months, etc.  By fifth grade, students are spending four weeks at a time receiving all their instruction in their second language.  “It is easier now,” says Katia Lopez, a fifth grader at Edwards.  “With my friends, we speak both languages.”  Remy Lovett, also an Edwards fifth grader, is enthusiastic about the opportunity.  “I think it will be really important in the future to speak both languages,” says Remy.

Changes for Fall

      For all elementary students, the first two days of school this fall (August 30 & 31) will be used to conduct individualized reading placement tests by appointment.  The purpose of early testing is so teachers will understand the instructional needs of each child beginning the first day of school on September 1.  Teachers believe that by spending this time up front, as much as six weeks of meaningful instruction will be gained for each student.  This will also be an opportunity for parents to observe the testing to gain a better understanding of what they can do to support their child at home.

      All parents of elementary school students will be contacted this spring to set up appointments and will also be sent a reminder in August before schools starts.  Kindergarteners will take part in orientation while students in grades 1-5 are testing.

English Speaking 3rd Graders Score 85% on 2006 CSAP

      The Colorado Department of Education released the results of 2006 third grade CSAP reading results today and Eagle County Schools’ English-speaking students scored 85 percent Proficient or Advanced, as compared to 83 percent last year.  This group of students includes native English speakers of all ethnic groups, as well as native Spanish speakers who have attained Fluent English Proficiency.

      Overall, Eagle County Schools averaged 69 percent Proficient or Advanced, which nearly mirrors the language profile of District third graders.  Sixty-two percent of Eagle County Schools’ third graders are English speakers, while 38 percent are Non-English or Limited English Proficient.  Eagle County has a higher number of Non-English and Limited English Proficient students, 25 percent in 2005, compared with the overall state, which had an average of 10 percent Non-English or Limited English Proficient students.  Seventy percent of all state third graders scored Proficient or Advanced on 2006 Reading CSAP.

      Individual school results also mirror the language makeup of each school.  Below is a table that shows the Proficient/Advanced scores of each of our schools, along with their percent of English-speaking students.

Congratulations, Class of 2006!

Spring is in the air and for the graduating seniors, May marks the end of their high school career.  This is a very accomplished group of students and we are proud of each and every one of them.  Did You Know...

• Nearly 50 percent of the class of 2006 started kindergarten in Eagle County Schools!

• Over 60 percent of graduates enrolled in one or more college-level classes this year.

• Over 50 percent have grade point averages of 3.0 or higher and nearly 15 percent have grade point averages of 4.0 or higher.

• Two students are National Merit Finalists (Zach Henry, EVHS, and Riley Pack, BMHS).

• Six students are graduating from high school in just 3 years (Kymberly Salazar, Gustavo Bronfield and Adrienne Powell from Battle Mountain, and Katrina Cooper, Katie Farren and Sara Young from Red Canyon).

• Many students are off to institutions of higher education in Colorado including Denver University, Colorado School of Mines, CU, CSU, Mesa State, Colorado Mountain College, Fort Lewis, Metro State and University of Northern Colorado.

• Other students are leaving the fine state of Colorado and will be attending colleges and universities such as Columbia, Georgetown, Middlebury, University of Chicago, University of Southern California, Loyola Marymount, University of San Diego, University of Washington, Southern Methodist University, Miami of Ohio, Brigham Young University, Arizona State, New York University and Virginia Tech.

• Matthew Parker and Walt Valdez from EVHS, and Chelsea Donaldson from BMHS, have chosen the fast track and in the next couple of weeks will receive high school diplomas, turn 18, and graduate from Colorado Mountain College with Associates Degrees, which requires 60 specific college credits.  They took Dual Enrollment classes offered in high school and are now off to finish college rather then just beginning.  Matthew will be attending Ft. Louis in Durango, Walt is off to New Mexico Institiute of Mining & Technology, and Chelsea will be attending CU/Boulder.

Attend Graduation and celebrate with the Seniors

Red Canyon High School

Graduation and Awards Ceremony: Friday, May 19, 10:00am, 4-Eagle Ranch.

Eagle Valley High School

Graduation: Sunday, May 21, 12:30pm, Hot Stuff Stadium at Eagle Valley High.

Awards Ceremony: Tuesday, May 16, 7:00pm, Eagle Valley Auditorium.

Battle Mountain High School

Graduation: Sunday, May 21, 12:30pm, Ford Amphitheatre.  This year’s speaker is Olympic medalist and graduate of Battle Mountain, Toby Dawson.

Awards Ceremony: Tuesday, May 16, 6:30pm, Vilar Center for the Arts.

Class of 1998…where are you?

In upcoming issues of News from Eagle County Schools we would like to feature the successes of our many alumni.  Please contact Brooke Skjonsby at bskjonsby@eagleschools.net and let us know about yourself, or parents, let us know what your children are doing now.  Pictures are welcome, too!

Summer 2006 Newsletters only available via email

We will not be mailing newsletters this summer, so sign up now at www.eagleschools.net to receive your June and July Newsletters via email.