Waltham Receives Grant To Expand Dual Language School

WALTHAM, MA — Waltham Public Schools has received a FY22 Alternative English Learner Education Programs Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to expand the Dual Language School into grade 6 at Kennedy Middle School.

The grant was submitted and will be managed by the Multilingual Department. Principal of Dual Language School Rochelle Nwosu is encouraging students and families to participate in the process of expanding the program into the middle grades.

“The mission of Dual Language Education K-8 in Waltham is to support students on their journey to becoming bilingual and biliterate in both Spanish and English,” said Nwosu in a statement. "We strive to develop socially and culturally competent citizens who will contribute to our community and to the world.”

Funding from this grant will support curriculum development for a Spanish language arts class and a social studies class and professional development workshops will be provided to Kennedy staff on dual language development. The grant will also cover curriculum materials in Spanish for the 2022-2023 school year, a short-term consultant, and a part-time bilingual assessment coordinator.

“This funding from MADESE will support a smooth transition of the Dual Language program,” said Kevin Gildea, Principal of Kennedy Middle School, in a statement. "We look forward to welcoming our sixth graders as integral members of the Kennedy community.”