Sign-ups start for Spanish immersion classes

Children entering kindergarten in Milton are eligible for a new Spanish immersion program this fall.

Sign-ups are open for the program, which will be offered at both Milton Elementary and H.O. Brittingham Elementary. The program is open to kindergartners who are expected to continue in the program through fifth grade, said Donna Kolakowski, supervisor of elementary education.

“Once the word gets out and people understand what the program is, I think we'll have a lot of people interested,” she said.

Indian River School District offers a similar Spanish immersion program, and there are about 300 students on a waiting list, she said.

“I'm terribly excited about this program moving forward,” said board member Jessica Tyndall, one of seven board members who voted for the program on Feb. 9.

Cape Henlopen School District plans to offer two classes of 25 students each at the two elementaries. Students would receive instruction for all of their core classes in both English and Spanish. A Spanish-speaking immersion-certified teacher would join an English-speaking teacher to teach classes.

“It will be nice to have two schools collaborate and support each other,” Kolakowski said.

Former teacher Tammy Brandt said she signed her child up for the immersion program at H.O. Brittingham. She said children's brains are most receptive to learning new languages between the ages of 3 and 6.

“If you develop language skills young, it allows you to acquire them easily for other languages,” she said.

Kolakowski said dual-language programs are helpful to students later in life when they look for jobs. Research has also shown that students enrolled in dual-language programs score higher on tests than students in regular classes, she said.

“Cognitive abilities continue to grow because you have worked that side of your brain,” she said, referring to the left side, or analytical side of the brain.

The Delaware Department of Education approved funding for Cape's immersion program in November. The state will also offer information from other Delaware schools that have immersion programs.

HOB parent Amanda Kilby signed up her rising kindergarten son for the program during the district's recent kindergarten enrollment.

“It's a great opportunity for our son,” she said. “It'll make him a better listener and help develop English skills.”

Kilby said her 10-year-old daughter wishes she could enroll in the program because many of her friends speak both English and Spanish.

“We hope our son gets in the program. If he doesn't, we'll be sad, but it's a great opportunity for our school district.”

HOB Principal Ned Gladfelter said sign-ups have been going well, and there is still room in the immersion program. Before coming to Cape Henlopen School District, Gladfelter helped start an immersion program in Brandywine School District. He said the program does a great job bringing families together.

“Students become aware of other cultures, which is a benefit,” Gladfelter said.

Milton Principal Beth Conaway said the ability to understand and speak more than one language is a great life skill.

“The Spanish-immersion education offered at public schools presents one more option for parents,” she said.