Parents: Learn About Mt. Diablo Unified's New Language Academy

CONCORD, CA -- If you missed this week's parent informational meeting about Mt. Diablo Unified’s new Language and Culture magnet program at Holbrook Elementary, there's another meeting scheduled for Tuesday, June 20.

From 8:30 a.m. until 10 a.m., the community is invited to meet the principal and staff of Holbrook Elementary and learn about dual-immersion and other language offerings and multi-cultural activities

The meeting will be held at the Willow Creek Center, 1026 Mohr Lane in Concord.

According to a district news release, Principal Marga Marshall will be sharing updates about Holbrook Language Academy, including information about the exciting Two-Way Dual Immersion program that will be offered as the school reopens in fall.

The TWDI program at Holbrook will be a K-5 program that includes English-dominant speakers with Spanish-dominant speakers. Students will receive instruction in both languages. The program will begin at the Kindergarten level for the 2017-2018 school year, and be extended to the next grade level in each successive year until it is K-5. The school will follow a 50/50 model where students spend 50 percent of their day learning to read and write in English, and the other 50 percent learning to read and write in Spanish.

It is not necessary for the new language to already be used at home. Dual immersion teachers are specially-trained as both subject area and language teachers, and will work together with families to make sure students are developing both their first and second languages from the early childhood grades and one.

Students at all grade levels will also be offered opportunities each week to learn a variety of languages, including Russian, German and Italian. Numerous multi-cultural events will be held throughout the year, including grade-level presentations emphasizing a unique language and cultural practices for countries where the language is spoken. Extensive opportunities to engage in challenging instruction in science, technology, project-based learning and 21st century skills will help prepare Holbrook students for the future and global world.

Learn more about Holbrook Language and Culture Academy magnet at http://holbrook.mdusd.org/.