History of Dual Immersion in Petaluma

 

 

In 2008, some teachers at the Bernard Eldredge Elementary (BE) were interested in hearing more about starting a Spanish/English Dual Immersion program. Their enrollment had been in decline, because Petaluma had a changing landscape with the addition of new homes and a new school (Sonoma Mountain Elementary), drawing some families to leave the district. There was also a misunderstanding from some teachers and families in the area about the abilities and contributions of the Latino children and community.  Some teachers felt that the children were struggling because they did not want to learn to speak English.  Some families felt that the efforts being made to teach these children took away from the learning of their native English speaking children.  They also resented having to have PTA meetings held in two different languages, feeling that Spanish speaking community members should just learn to speak English.  Some of the faculty, teachers and parents understood that the linguistic and cultural diversity of the school was a benefit, not a hindrance, and wanted to change the segregation that was happening within the school and neighborhood.  An attempt to begin a Dual Immersion program at BE in 2008 was attempted, but not enough support was gathered and the program did not move forward.  

 

Fall 2008/Spring 2009.  Parents interested in Dual Immersion began calling to find out if the program would be starting at Bernard Eldridge.  They were put in touch with the Principal of the school Andi Gibbs, as well as superintendent Diane Zimmerman, who both expressed an interest in having the program at BE, if enough community support could be gained.  These administrators asked the parents to demonstrate that there was enough community support, by having at least 35 families state their intent to enroll their children in a program to begin in 2009.  They stated that if the parents could show enough community support the proposal could be submitted to the Old Adobe Union school Board for formal consideration.  So, the group of interested parents banded together to begin a grassroots effort to bring a Dual Immersion program to the Bernard Elementary School.  The initial  group of parents included:  Linda Schneider, Rosa Spangler, Sarah Herrera, Tia Spear and Tracy Perlich.

 

These parents shared a common vision and strong drive to offer their community something different, more meaningful and more enriching than the norm. They saw the value that a Dual Immersion program could provide to both native English speakers as well as native Spanish speakers.  They also recognized its benefit for Petaluma, a multi-cultural community, being strained by a lack of appreciation for diversity.

 

These parents wanted intercultural education , not just multicultural education.  The Old Adobe Union School District was interested in healing the fractures that were beginning to affect their school and facing a huge decline in enrollment at Bernard Eldridge.  The administration was open to the idea of Dual Immersion not only to help to bring their diverse community together, but also to drive up enrollment. Success would mean a win/win for the parents and the district - but would require a huge effort.

 

During the initial board meetings concerning the implementation of a Dual Immersion program, the parents began a completely new precedent by having board meetings simultaneously translated in Spanish.  Initial meetings had been carried out with segregated translation .  Latino families had to gather at the back of the room to  receive limited translation of the meetings.  The discrimination these parents felt was evident.  Parents were able to effectively change dynamic by having a bilingual teacher provide simultaneous translation with headsets so that each of the Spanish speaking parents could participate fully.

 

The list of interested parents and supporters began to grow and word began to spread in the community about the possibility of a Dual Immersion program beginning at Bernard Eldredge.  The parents worked collaboratively via email, conference calls, and face to face meetings.  They created flyers which were distributed around town to pre-schools, parks, churches, libraries, stores, and any places that were attended by parents and children.   They went door to door collecting signatures from interested parents at nearby neighborhoods and apartment complexes (with kids in tow).  Word was spread at the soccer fields, gymnastics, jumpy houses and play dates.  Regular postings were made to the Petaluma Mother’s club, the Petaluma Parent Network, Petaluma 360 and the local papers.  Kelli Whyte, Anthony & Christine Bendik,  and Michelle & Peter Novotny join forces with the founding group of parents to help ensure that the program is approved.

 

March/2009: They did it!  The parents had managed to gain the signatures of 35 parents committed to enrolling their child in the Dual Immersion program.  They had also managed to gain a larger list of  siblings and other children that had committed to enrolling their child during later school years.  The parents met with Diane Zimmerman to go over the list.  During this meeting it was noted that most of the children on the list were already local to the district and therefore would not represent a fiscal gain for the District.  The Superintendent did not feel that the Board would approve the list unless it included more students from outside of the District. So, the parents began again with a more targeted approach to bringing in inter-district transfers.

 

The final board approval of the program was granted on Cinco de Mayo 2009!  The parents celebrated their success with great excitement for what they had achieved.  All believed that the new Dual Immersion program would be a wonderful gift for the children and families in our community.

 

May/2010: The BE school was closed and the Dual Immersion program  was moved to Miwok Valley under a new principal, Kim Harper. The  parents once again banded together to ensure that their fledgling program would continue to grow and succeed.  The parents lead the efforts in outreach and absorbed  most of the costs for flyers, printing, events, advertising, sponsorships, banners, mailings, and brochures.  Once again the parents went door to door to tell parents about the program and encourage enrollment of children into the program.

 

Presently: The program is now running strong, going on its’ fourth year. In the year 2012/2013 we have 2 kindergarten classes, 2 first grade classes, a 2/3 combo class and a 3/4 combo class. Class sizes have increased and teacher turn-over continues to be a problem. Nevertheless, the program continues to grow and is now well know within the community. The founding parents, initial supporters and all families who made the choice and commitment to enroll their children in the program, are now watching their bilingual/bi-literate children thrive. Thanks to a School Board with vision for the future, and group of very dedicated parents coming together with a common goal and vision, Petaluma now has a program that is bringing its diverse community members together.  Children are now able to receive a bilingual and intercultural education that allows them to appreciate the multicultural world that they are a part of.  Native Spanish speaking children are now valued members within the classroom and developing pride for their ability to assist their English speaking peers.  Families are being brought together from diverse socioeconomic , cultural and educational backgrounds.  Petaluma now has a program that will continue to grow and provide not only a wonderful educational opportunity for its children but also a substantial benefit to the community as a whole.