[New post] Woodland Joint Unified School District English Learner Program highlighted in statewide campaign
Carlos Guerrero posted: "The Woodland Joint Unified School District English learner program, including bilingual education, was highlighted as part of a statewide effort to support English learners. According to a WJUSD press release, the district was among five school distric" Daily Democrat
The Woodland Joint Unified School District English learner program, including bilingual education, was highlighted as part of a statewide effort to support English learners.
According to a WJUSD press release, the district was among five school districts that were featured in the promotion of The California English Learner Roadmap, a state policy for educating the state's 1.1 million English learners.
The district was included in the publication "Bright Spots: Five Districts Move the English Learner Roadmap Forward" and in videos highlighting districts that are successfully implementing the 2017 policy in their schools.
"The work of your district provides inspiration and a model for other districts throughout the state," stated Executive Director of Californians Together Martha Hernandez, and Design Lead of EL RISE Dr. Laurie Olsen in a letter to WJUSD Superintendent Elodia Ortega-Lampkin. "We are honored to be able to share the story through this publication."
The district was included for its work partnering with families and building a system that centers on languages and cultures as assets to student success. It has dual immersion programs at Beamer, Prairie, and Dingle elementary schools as well as at Lee and Douglass Middle Schools.
"When I became aware that the English Learner Roadmap was being developed, I was very excited to hear that all the research and all the best practices were going to be put together in a way that is comprehensible and that could help guide us," stated Ortega-Lampkin. "Supporting our dual immersion program has been very critical. At first, we only had one school with this program and now we have three. We also have a strand in middle school and high school for students to continue building on their biliteracy. That is something we are very proud of."
Building a culture of parent involvement and feedback has been key to WJUSD's success.
Dual immersion student Isabella Castaneda-Lopez shows Maria Orozco, WJUSD Director of Equity and Access, the Día de Muertos altar in her classroom at Dingle Elementary School on Nov. 1, 2023. (Courtesy)
"Parents assess us," said WJUSD Director of Equity and Access Maria Orozco. "They tell us how they're doing based on their experience at their school. Having that in their professional development has helped our parents' understanding of the Roadmap and how to use it as a tool to advocate for their students."
"We have our doors and gates open to all of our families," added Principal at Beamer Elementary School Hortencia Hernandez. "Whenever there is a question or there is a hurdle, our job is to eliminate those barriers so that parents can feel welcomed and part of our community."
Parent Maria Gutierrez of Freeman Elementary School said that attending district meetings is a big help to families.
"Attending the meetings they have in the school district allows us to not just learn about our children's education, but also to meet more parents," Gutierrez said. "There are many supports. The teachers are involved. If we have a question, we can ask it. And if they don't know the answer, they will research it for us and help us understand what we need at that moment."
Families also have opportunities to participate in their school's English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) or the District-level English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC), which is a group of parents, staff, and community members that advises district officials on English learner programs and services.
"Within the ELAC Committee, we're responsible for supporting the principal and the school around the benefits and the programs we can bring to English learner students," said Alejandra Suarez, a WJUSD parent and DELAC member. "We meet as parents, we chat, we share our experiences, and support one another. On behalf of DELAC, we are responsible for bringing information, suggestions, questions, and concerns to the school district. We are the voice of all the English learner children and all the families learning English together with their kids."
The program is paying off for students. Each year the district holds a celebration and recognition for students who earn their seal of biliteracy.
"In the long run, once you see these students grow up and use their Spanish in their careers, or once they're graduating and they can speak both languages, it's really rewarding," said Nery Herrera, a dual language teacher at WJUSD.
Students agree the program is beneficial in their lives.
"I like speaking in Spanish because I use Spanish more with my grandparents," said Emilio Suarez, a fourth-grade student at Beamer Elementary School. "When some of my cousins speak English I can help translate what they're saying if they don't understand."
Building the district's bilingual education program has taken time, investment, and dedication to student success in the classroom and throughout their lives.
"This work is a labor of love," said Superintendent Ortega-Lampkin. "It is important to meet the needs of our English learners. I don't want other students to struggle, to go through facing racism or discrimination, to be thought less of, or to have people see them with low expectations, so this work is very personal to me. It cannot be an afterthought."
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