Immersion Schools in APS
New Applicant Orientation
Claremont School (2003)
4700 S. Chesterfield Rd
Arlington, VA 22206
703-228-2500
Jessica Panfil, Principal
Susan Allan-Burnett,
Asst. Principal
Key School (1979)
2300 Key Blvd
Arlington, Virginia 22201
703-228-4210
Dr. Marjorie L. Myers, Principal
Evelyn Fernández,
Asst. Principal
New Applicant Orientation
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Benefits of Immersion
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Overview of the APS
Immersion Program
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Key and Claremont
Highlights
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Next steps (Application
Process, Summer School,
Extended Day)
Benefits of Immersion
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Fluency in two languages
• Early second language
experiences increase ability to
have native-like pronunciation.
• Greater ability to acquire
additional languages.
• Positive effect on intellectual
growth in all academic areas.
• Enhanced problem solving
skills.
• Increased future professional
and educational opportunities.
Overview of APS Immersion
Program
Immersion is more than just two
languages ….
We also develop:
•
each child’s full potential
• a lifelong love of learning
• flexible and creative
thinking
• an appreciation for the
global community
When to Begin Immersion
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the earlier the better
• young brains are very
flexible and ready to
receive and learn all
sounds
• by age 10 the brain
begins to harden and
learning new languages
is more difficult
Immersion Students have high
Academic Achievement
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Transfer knowledge
from one language to
another
Perform as well or
better on English
Language Arts and
Math tests
Higher graduation rates
and greater number of
students purse higher
education
Research on Immersion
Research done in Two-Way
bilingual programs by
Wayne Thomas and
Virginia Collier, 1997 &
2006, shows that Native
English students and nonnative English Immersion
students outperformed
monolingual English
students on 12th grade
tests after elementary
immersion education.
The Immersion Program at
Arlington Public Schools
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Two Elementary Schools - Key and Claremont
• Gunston Middle School
• Wakefield High School
All schools are designated International Spanish
Academies (ISA).
Students receive a certificate at the end of fifth
grade from the Spanish Embassy.
ISA – International Spanish Academy
Ministry of Education of Spain
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An international cooperative educational project between
Spain and US/Canadian schools.
Supports a strong academic program in English and Spanish.
Places teaching assistants from Spain in schools.
Offers materials and resources to support Spanish instruction
and multicultural education.
Claremont - Colegio del Año – School of the Year 2011
Key - Colegio del Año-School of the Year 2012
Elementary Immersion Program
SPANISH
ENGLISH
50% of the day
50% of the day
Language Arts
Language Arts
Reading/Writing
Reading/Writing
Math
K-5th Grade
Science
Art
K, 2 & 4
Music
1, 3 & 5
Social Studies
Physical Education
Pre-K - 5
Art
1, 3 & 5
Music
K, 2 & 4
Instructional Curriculum for
Elementary Immersion Program
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Math:
Math Expression and Calendar Counts
Science: Science Fusion - Harcourt
Reading: English--Harcourt Storytown
Spanish--Scott Foresman Lectura
Spelling: Developmental Spelling Assessment (DSA);
Word Study
Writing: Lucy Calkins – Units of Study for Primary
Writing -K-1st
Being a Writer-2nd-5th
Handwriting Without Tears: Handwriting program
Social Studies: History Alive; Five Ponds Press
Immersion vs. FLES
Immersion
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Spanish native speakers and
English native speakers are
integrated for instruction the entire
day
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Instructional time spent in Spanish
is 14.5 hours (870 min) per week.
Science and Math are taught in
Spanish at the elementary level.
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Social Studies and Science are
taught in Spanish at the middle
school level.
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Program is part of an integrated K12 sequence.
FLES (Foreign Language in
Elementary School)
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Instructional time spent in Spanish
ranges from 120-135 minutes per
week
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Program allows for some crosscurricular connections
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Instruction is differentiated for
native speakers of Spanish
One language, one
classroom, one teacher.
English Classroom Teacher
English Language Arts, Social
Studies
Spanish Classroom Teacher
Spanish Language Arts, Math
Science in Spanish
Specials
P.E. , Library, Music, Art
Key Highlights
Key School ~ Escuela Key
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Dr. Marjorie Myers, Principal
marjorie.myers@apsva.us
 Evelyn Fernandez, Assistant
Principal
 evelyn.fernandez@apsva.us
 School website:
www.apsva.us\schools\key
 School phone: 703-228-4210
 PTA President – Marilyn Judson
mackjudson@mac.com
(c) 703-966-2216
Initiatives at Key
 Fall
Fiesta
 Mason Mile and Fun Day
Key School Demographics
1998
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Total Enrollment
K-5 544
 Ethnic %
 Hispanic - 59%
 White 35%
 Black 6%
 Asian 0%
 Free and Reduced
Lunch 53%
 Mobility - high
2015
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Total Enrollment 2/2/15
pK-5 716
[65 (PrK)]
Ethnic %
 Hispanic -387- 54%
 White –
228 - 32%
 Black 39 - 5%
 Asian 34 –5%
 American Indian – 7 1%
 Other - 21 – 0.2%
Free and Reduced
Lunch 40.5%
ESOL/Hilt - 220 – 0%
Mobility - high
KEY Technology &
Engineering
Fosters engineering and
technological literacy among
children.
 Integrates technology and
engineering concepts and skills
with elementary science topics.
 Promotes science,
technology, engineering, and
mathematics (STEM) learning,
but also connect with literacy
and social studies.
Problem Solving, Inquiry,
and Innovation:
Key’s Future Engineers!
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Creative skills
Critical thinkers
Collaboration
Hands-on
Real-life problems
Applying
Solving
Preparing for the
21st century
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Change the Equation is a new national
initiative focused on improving science,
technology, engineering, and math (STEM)
education for every child, with a particular
focus on girls, who have long been
underrepresented in STEM fields.
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Technology and Engineering program
responds to children’s needs and
challenges.
ReSET Partnership
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D.C.-based non-profit volunteer
organization that partners working
and retired scientists, engineers,
and technicians with elementary
school teachers to improve science
motivation and literacy.
 The goal is to introduce children to
science, engineering and
technology as being enjoyable and
exciting (fun)!
Sally Ride Science
Implemented in 2nd-5th grade science classes
 Dedicated to supporting girls’ and boys’ interests
in science, math and technology
 Exploration of science and engineering careers
through study of real careers and real scientists
 Hands-on activities, trade books, interactive
bulletin boards
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Brings science to life to show kids that science is
creative, collaborative, fascinating, and fun!
Mason Mile
Slap Stick visits
Dr. Myers crosses the
finish line.
Mobile-Stabile project
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School-wide (K-5)
Funded by the Arlington
Community Foundation
 Cross-curricular lessons
 Reinforce science and art
curriculum through the
collaborative creation and
exploration of 3-D art
 Artist-in-residence visit in June
2011 create large outdoor
stabile in the schoolyard with
students
NOVA Rain Barrel Program
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Joint grant-funded project between 2nd grade science
and art classes
In science: Study water cycle, write and illustrate stories
about a rain drop that travels through the water cycle
In art: Design art for a rain barrel and decorate the rain
barrel
Rain barrel will be installed in a public place in Arlington
(ex. Central Library) and on view for the community to
appreciate. It will later be auctioned to raise $ for
Arlington Parks and Recreation
Weather Bug
 $10,000
grant from Battelle for STEM at
Key School
 Batelle folks come to Key to do EveryBody
Wins – student tutoring in reading
 Weather Bug with Channel 7 ABC
 Tied with Woman’s History monthScience is a “can do” for girls.
Escuela Key Schoolyard
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All grade-levels plant outside
1-2 times/year during their
science class
 Each grade level has a
garden that the students help
maintain
• Garden themes are linked to social
studies and science curriculum
• 1st grade Butterfly garden
• 2nd grade American Indian garden
• 4th grade Colonial garden
• 5th grade erosion project
An Active PTA
Hosts Numerous Event to Foster Community
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Back-to-School Ice Cream Social
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Oktoberfest/ Fall Fun Fest
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Book Fair
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International Dinner
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Silent Auction
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Family Movie Night
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Health Week
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Parent/Teacher Soccer Game
Supports Teachers, Students and Parents
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Education and Teacher Grants
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TEAM Kids
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Celebrations for Student Academic
Achievements
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Tutoring and After-School Enrichment
Classes
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Field Day
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Reflections
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Parents Helping Parents
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Viva Verde
PTA Enrichment and
After-School Activities
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Character Education Club
Girls on the Run
World-Wide Helpers
Green Kids Club
Odyssey of the Mind
Spanish Chorus
ORFF/Chorus
Patrols
Student Council Association
Morning News Team
Extended Day
Band
YES Club – Youth Experiencing
Success
After-School Academic Support
Spanish Tutoring
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Karate
Soccer
Ballet
Flamenco Dance
Break Dancing
Hip Hop
Ballet
Mad Science
Creative Hands in Spanish
Drama ETA
YoKids (yoga for kids)
Chess Club
Team Kids
Claremont Highlights
More Information?
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Claremont Immersion
Jessica Panfil, Principal
jessica.panfil@apsva.us
Susan Allan-Burnett, Assistant
Principal
susan.burnett@apsva.us
School website:
www.apsva.us\claremont
School phone: 703-228-2500
PTA President:
Julie Kluge
jkluge@cisco.com
Claremont Immersion
Demographics
School Year 2014-2015
•722 Students Pre-K – 5th
•15 home languages
•Demographics:
53% Hispanic
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60% White
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7% African-American
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33% Other (Asian, Native
American)
•37% students qualify for free and
reduced lunch
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Claremont Immersion
Exemplary Project
SPARK
Our goal is to ignite excitement about learning through
unique cultural arts experiences which further the
dual language focus and promote appreciation of
world cultures.
“Art Sparks Engaged Learning” Student Art Exhibit in Shirlington was held at the
Public Library, Signature Theater and Bus Boys and Poets February 2015. Check
out more SPARK projects under “Projects and Clubs” on our website:
www.apsva.us/claremont.
PTA: “Volunteers Make Things Happen at
Claremont”
Hosts Events to Foster Community
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Back-to-School Ice Cream Social
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Fall Fun Festival/Hispanic Heritage
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Book Fairs
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Silent Auction
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Family Movie Nights
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International Dinner
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Vamos Adelante events
Supports Teachers, Students and
Parents
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Education and Teacher Grants
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Celebrations for Student
Achievements
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After-School Enrichment Classes
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Field Day
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Outdoor Beautification
Get Ready to Get Involved in
Your Child’s School!
Claremont Immersion
Special Initiatives
Healthy School Award / Get
Active! Get Fit!
Claremont won the Marine Corp
Marathon Healthy School
Award for the past three years:
2012-13 /2013-14/2014-15
School Years.
Team Kids
Our mission is to empower our
students to change the world!
www.teamkids.org
Claremont Immersion
Special Initiatives
News & Newspapers
Parent Guides
Claremont Immersion
PTA: “Volunteers Make Things Happen”
Hosts Events to Foster Community
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Back-to-School Ice Cream Social
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Fall Fun Festival/Hispanic Heritage
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Book Fairs
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Silent Auction
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Family Movie Nights
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International Dinner
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Vamos Adelante events
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Tuesday Parent Volunteers Group
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Monthly “Almuerzo en Español”
Supports Teachers, Students and
Parents
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Education and Teacher Grants
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Celebrations for Student Achievements
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After-School Enrichment Classes
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Field Day
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Outdoor Beautification
Get Ready to Get Involved in Your Child’s School!
Claremont Immersion
Welcome to a Community Immersed
in Learning & Two Languages!
PTA Enrichment & After-School Activities
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Claremont Corredoras
Green Kids Club
Odyssey of the Mind
ORFF/Chorus
Trash Band
School Safety Patrols
Student Council Association
YES Club – Youth Experiencing
Success
After-School Academic Support
– Scholars Club & PALs Club
Chess Club
Zumba!
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Spanish Tutoring
Guitar Club
Soccer
Martial Arts
Jr. Minecraft Programming
Kid Fitness
Decorating Sweets in Spanish
Whiffleball/Kickball
YoKids (yoga for kids)
Junior Great Books
The Science Seed
Piano-Keys for Kids
Claremont Immersion
More Information
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Jessica Panfil, Principal
jessica.panfil@apsva.us
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Susan Allan-Burnett, Assistant
Principal
susan.burnett@apsva.us
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School website:
www.apsva.us\claremont
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School phone: 703-228-2500
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PTA website:
www.claremontpta.org
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Julie Kluge, PTA President
jkluge@cisco.com
Next Steps
Next Steps
Admission to Key and Claremont
All students within Arlington have the option to apply to a Spanish Immersion
elementary school. Each neighborhood school is designated for either Key or
Claremont.
Claremont :
CLUSTER:
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Abingdon
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Oakridge

Hoffman-Boston
FEEDER:
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Ashlawn
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Barcroft
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Carlin Springs
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Drew
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McKinley
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Nottingham
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Randolph
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Tuckahoe
Key:
TEAM: Key / ASF, Jamestown, Taylor
Barrett
Discovery
Glebe
Henry
Long Branch
Transportation is provided
for students who live within
the neighborhood schools
designated for Claremont
and Key and who live more
than a mile from the school.
Next Steps
How to Apply for VPI- Pre-Kindergarten, 1st-5th
VPI – Pre-Kindergarten
•Complete VPI application.
•Submit VPI application and proof of income between Feb. 1
– April 15 to be included in the lottery.
•VPI Pre-K program is a county-wide program. Two classes
are housed at Claremont and Key. They do not implement
the immersion program.
1st-5th Grades
•1st Grade is based on space availability, Kindergarten waitlist, and
order of applications received.
•2nd – 5th is based on space availability, passing a Spanish
assessment, and order of applications received.
Next Steps
How to Apply for Kindergarten
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Complete Pupil Transfer Application.
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Attend Key or Claremont Information Session.
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Attend Neighborhood School Information Session.
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Submit Pupil Transfer Application with both
principals’ signatures between Feb. 1 – April 15 to
Key or Claremont to be included in the lottery.
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If forms are received after April 15, applications
are placed on the waitlist in the order they are
received and admission is based on space
availability.
Next Steps
Kindergarten Admission
1. Pre-School Students:
Students who attended VPI Pre-K at the Immersion schools can attend Kindergarten
without having to enter the lottery.
2. Priority Admission
Claremont Cluster – Abingdon, Oakridge, Hoffman-Boston only if the application is
received by April 15th.
Key Neighborhood – Key/Arlington Science Focus
3. Siblings
Older students who are concurrently attending Claremont or Key are offered open slots
only if their application is received by April 15th.
4. All other applications from feeder neighborhood schools.
A random double-blind lottery is held for applications received between February
1 – April 15 for open Kindergarten slots. All applications received after April 15 are
placed on the waitlist and offered in the order they are received.
Next Steps
Important Dates
•April 15th – Deadline for submission of Kindergarten Pupil Transfer
Application and VPI Pre-K Application
•April 16th – Key Lottery – notify parents week of 20th
•April 21st 11:30 -12:00 – Claremont Immersion Lottery
•Week of April 27th – Notify Families of Acceptance
•May 8th – Last day to register for summer school and extended day
summer school.
Registration Documents
•Original Birth Certificate
•Original Social Security Card or Social Security Number Status Form
•Proof of Residency (Lease, Mortgage, Deed, or Form A & B)
•Virginia Physical Exam Form completed by your child’s doctor
(Including current immunizations and TB Screening)
Next Steps
EXTENDED DAY FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2015-16
•Extended Day registration is on a first come, first serve basis.
•Registration for Kindergartners for Extended Day occurs after
the Kindergarten lottery.
SUMMER SCHOOL AND SUMMER SCHOOL EXTENDED DAY
• Students must be pre-registered for Kindergarten for the
2015-16 School Year before you register for Summer School.
• If you are interested in your child attending Extended Day
Summer School, you must also register separately for
Summer School Extended Day.
• The deadline for registration for Summer School and
Extended Day Summer School is May 8th.
Spanish Immersion
Give your child a gift no
money can buy……
the GIFT of two
languages!
Bilingualism is the gift
of a life time.
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Stay with the
program
• Support your
children
• Enjoy the
challenges
• Enjoy the results!
It’s a small world after all…
Being bilingual makes it smaller!
Recommended reading…
The Bilingual Edge: Why, When, and How to Teach
Your Child a Second Language By Kendall King,
PhD, Alison Mackey, PhD
References
•
August, D. Calderon, M., & Carlo, M. (2001). The
Transfer of Skills from Spanish To English: A Study of
Young Learners. Washington, DC: Center for Applied
Linguistics.
•
August, D. Calderon, M., & Hakuta, K. (1997) Improving
schooling for language-minority children: A research
agenda. Washington, DC: National Research Council.
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Economopoulos, K. & Russell, S. (1998). Investigations
in Number, Data and Space.
References
•
Genesee, F. (2000). Brain Research: Implications for
Second Language Learning. CAL Digest. Available:
www.cal.org/resources/digest/0012brain.html
•
Ponce, G., & Garrison, L. (2005). Overcoming the
“Walls” Surrounding Word Problems; Teaching Children
Math. National Council of Teachers of Math, 11(5), 256262.
•
Slavin, R., & Cheung, A.(2004). How Do English
Language Learners Learn to Read? Educational
Leadership, 61(6), 52-57.