PASI News
Parent Advocates for Spanish Immersion | March 2021
PASI GRANT SEASON
PASI is thrilled to announce the distribution of our 2021 Spanish Immersion teacher grants, and as you will read below, the theme continues that PASI loves books! Grants were awarded to teachers at four of our five schools and due to the fact that we had no intern expenses this year, we were able to at least partially fund all of the requests that we received. Providing funds for teachers to enhance their classrooms in the ways they see fit is one of the most exciting things we do, so please read on to see what your generosity has helped to fund:
ANDY McKAY, Program-wide
Mr. McKay requested funds to enhance classroom Spanish libraries in classrooms at Hayward, Rosa, and Sonia. In Dual Immersion, next year will be the first year with second grade so starting the collections in those classrooms is vital to the success and growth of the program. At Sonia, there will be five sections of fifth graders for the first time in 2021-22 and these funds will get the 505 classroom library off to a great start!
Funds awarded: $1650
NORMA PREZA, Hayward Elementary
Ms. Preza also requested funding to enhance her classroom library. She says access to authentic, age-appropriate reading material motivates of joy of reading in her first grade classroom. Ms. Preza says students at Hayward tend to have fewer books at home and a classroom library is a wonder place to help them learn to enjoy reading in Spanish. Ms. Preza states she intends to share her library with the kindergarten and second grade classrooms as well.
Funds awarded: $1500
ANNA NELSON, Rosa Parks Elementary
Ms. Nelson plans to increase the availability of flexible seating in her classroom. Wobble stools help kindergarteners to wiggle while they work without distracting their classmates. This is beneficial to kids when it comes to focus and sensory options, helping the class as a whole to do their best.
Funds awarded: $500
ZULEMA MEZA & TIFFANY ENGLESON, Hayward Elementary
Ms. Meza and Ms. Engleson are Dual Immersion teachers and while full immersion and dual immersion have a united focus in bringing up bilaterate students, dual immersion has its own challenges and strategies. These two teachers will attend a series of webinars directed specifically at teaching in dual language programs. They will be able to share what they learn with their SFSD Dual Immersion colleagues to benefit the whole program.
Funds awarded: $2575
RACHEL RIVERA NEMMERS, Sonia Sotomayor Elementary
The kindergarteners at Sonia plan to celebrate St. Jordi Day, a spring holiday traditionally celebrated in parts of Spain. Ms. Rivera Nemmers plans to bring the kindergarten classes from Hayward and Rosa together with the Sonia students to celebrate this holiday as one Immersion Family. PASI will provide the bus funds to bring the students together.
Funds awarded: $300
KIMBERLY TOLLINGER, Lincoln High School
Ms. Tollinger, who teaches grades 9-12, is constantly working to enhance and increase the collection of Spanish texts in her classroom. Students have time each week for Spanish Free Choice reading, which Ms. Tollinger has learned in her research for her Master's degree is one of the best ways to improve comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, grammar, and writing in their second language. Her goal this year is to increase the number of books and magazines available to the students for Free Choice reading time.
Funds awarded: $1500
DUAL IMMERSION LIBRARY FUNDS
As the Dual Immersion program grows, the libraries in schools where the program is housed will need to keep up with the demand of the students and be able to accommodate their need to check out Spanish language books from the library on a weekly basis, just like the students at Sonia Sotomayor do now. Currently the dual immersion program has kindergarten and first grade students, but each year the program will age up. In order to help keep up with that demand, PASI has committed to a five year plan for donating to the libraries at Hayward and Rosa Parks. $1000 will be provided to each school each year for a total of $10,000 at the end of the donation cycle. This will ensure that a variety of age-appropriate Spanish texts are always available to the Dual Immersion students and keep them reading!
OPPORTUNITIES FOR INVOLVEMENT WITH PASI
Looking for a way to get more involved with your child's education? PASI is looking for 2021-22 board members! This is a great way to make a real impact on your kids' lives. If you are interested in any of the following positions, feel free to reach out by email now for more information. We strive to have board members who represent parents across all grade levels of the program.
General Board Members
Each of the two available open board member positions is a two-year commitment, with a possibility of running again to serve up to two more two-year terms.
Vice President
In the absence of the President or in the event of his or her inability or refusal to act, the Vice-President will perform the duties of the President, and, when so acting, will have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. The Vice-President will perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe by standing or special resolution, or as the President may from time to time provide, subject to the powers and the supervision of the Board of Directors.
The vice president/president/president emeritus position is a three-year commitment, with the elected person serving their first year as vice president, the next year as president, and the third year as president emeritus.
Treasurer
The Treasurer will have the custody of, and be responsible for, all funds and securities of the Corporation. The Treasurer shall keep or cause to be kept complete and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements of the Corporation, and must deposit all monies and other valuable property of the Corporation in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such banks or depositories as the Board of Directors may designate. Whenever required by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer must render a statement of accounts. The Treasurer must at all reasonable times exhibit the books and accounts to any officer or director of the Corporation, and will perform all duties incident to the office of Treasurer, subject to the supervision of the Board of Directors, and such other duties as may from time to time be assigned by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer must, if required by the Board of Directors, give such bond or security for the faithful performance of his or her duties as the Board of Directors may require, for which he or she will be reimbursed.
The Treasurer is a two-year commitment, with a possibility of running and serving up to two more two-year terms.
Please complete the form below to submit your nomination!
MIDDLE SCHOOL/HIGH SCHOOL NEWS
Graduation
Graduation is around the corner. This May, Spanish Immersion is graduating it's first class! Plans are being made for a recognition at a spring School Board "Good News Report" to mark the Immersion Program's milestone. In addition, Spanish Immersion graduates who meet the criteria, will be honored by wearing a "Seal of Biliteracy" honors cord at commencement. This signifies that they have proven their abilities in both Spanish and English and are considered biliterate, a goal all of our children are working toward. Congrats, class of 2021!
To learn more about the Seal of Biliteracy, follow the link below, or follow the organization on Facebook
UPCOMING EVENTS
General Meeting
Monday, Apr 26, 2021, 06:30 PM
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STAY CONNECTED
- Make donating to PASI a snap with Gracias Giving
- Keep earning toward your students' trips with Scrip
- Find friends in our Family Directory
- Follow us on Instagram @sfspanishimmersionparents
Email: pasi.sf.sd@gmail.com
Website: pasisf.org
Location: PO Box 75 Sioux Falls SD, 57101
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PASIsf
Twitter: @parentsforspan1