Teachers and administrators from other school districts hoping to start a similar curriculum to the Spanish Immersion Program at Loker School recently have traveled to Wayland to see how the program works.
During a typical day in the kindergarten Spanish Immersion classroom, students are greeted in Spanish, choose their lunch for the day, and then begin the day with games, reading, or coloring activities. The daily announcements at Loker are read in both English and Spanish. Next, students gather on the rug for morning meeting and then move into their academic routines.
For the entire school day, from 7:45 a.m. to 2:35 p.m., students from kindergarten through second grade receive 90% of their instruction of instruction in Spanish and the rest in English. By the time they reach fifth grade, the instruction levels out at 50-50.
All subjects are taught in Spanish except art, computer, library, music and physical education.
“We follow the same curriculum and Wayland standards as the traditional classrooms,” said Liliana Smith, Spanish Immersion Curriculum coordinator. “The main difference is that students learn all academic content in Spanish.”
This year there will be a new curriculum for the Immersion program — Amplify Caminos for Spanish Language Arts for grades K-5, and Amplify Core Knowledge Arts for Language Arts in grades 3-5. Caminos differs from other curricula because it was created in Spanish and not simply translated from English.
The Spanish Immersion Program was founded nine years ago at the Claypit School. One year later, due to spacing issues, then Superintendent Arthur Unobskey approached Principal Brian Jones about moving the program to Loker. Jones was ecstatic about the change. There has been a Spanish Immersion kindergarten class with 22 students ever since.
The first cohort is now starting eighth grade. This year the program has grown to now include three Spanish Immersion cohorts at Wayland Middle School level and six teachers.
The success of the program is due in large part to Smith, who was hired to create and develop a one-way Spanish program. Smith heads reading groups, supports teachers during instruction, administers reading assessments and oral proficiency interviews, collaborates with administrators, and communicates with families.
“I’ve been involved in the program since its inception in 2018,” she said. “When I first heard about the opportunity, I thought it was a dream job for any Spanish language educator. Time has proven me right. I have the privilege of working with everyone who makes the program possible — students, teachers, and families.”
Students apply for the Immersion program through a lottery system overseen by Assistant Superintendent Betsy Gavron. An informational night is held in late January or early February followed by a double-blind lottery occurring close to February break. The program has 11 slots for girls and 11 spots for boys. Two spots are held for incoming Metco students.
Recipients do not find out if they are admitted until the spring and those not selected can choose to go on a waiting list. Movement off the waiting list depends on whether the 22 students who were initially selected accept their invitations.
Students in the Immersion Program participate in the Massachusetts Biliteracy Pathway Certificate Program. This provides an opportunity to recognize the students’ work toward bilingualism and biliteracy. Students begin this pathway in elementary school, receive recognition upon completing fifth and eighth grades, and ultimately work toward earning the official Seal of Biliteracy upon high school graduation.
As well as providing the curriculum, structure and support for learning another language, students enjoy the activities and camaraderie. This year students will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by highlighting a Hispanic person during announcements each day between Sept. 15 and Oct. 15.
“Students often talk about how ‘cool it is to have a secret language’ they can use with other friends,” said Smith. “In addition, they truly love being part of the same cohort and become really close, like a family. The relationships created are meaningful and very deep.”
Some out-of-school activities include a Spanish Immersion trivia night in the spring as well as a book fair and movie event.
Principal Jones is immensely proud of the students and teachers and of how the program has grown.
“Spanish Immersion at Loker is not a program — it is who we are,” Jones said.
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