HSD Dual Language Family Newsletter
1st Edition - Fall, 2021
Supporting the Dual Language Program when you only speak English
Even if you are not bilingual there are many important things you can do to support your student in the Dual Language Program.
Show an appreciation and interest in the Spanish language- Seek out opportunities to learn from and with your student. Have them share a word or two they have mastered in class, attend community cultural events with your student, use Rosetta Stone or Duo Lingo to pick up some basic vocabulary on your own.
Increase the amount of Spanish in your home- Encourage your student to watch Netflix cartoons in Spanish instead of English. Ensure your home library contains bilingual and Spanish books, not just English. Washington County Library has many Spanish texts available.
Teach growth mindset and perseverance- Learning a new language can be difficult at times and many students will find times they consider giving up. Doing hard things and celebrating growth will help students find success. It is important to honor the hard work they are doing and the frustration that they may feel while still encouraging them to stick it out and gain these incredibly valuable skills.
Collaborate with your student's teachers- Make sure in front of your students you stay positive and supportive of the dual language program and teachers. When you or your student begin to feel frustrated or overwhelmed, reach out and let the teachers know. They have many WONDERFUL ideas and resources to help your child reach the goal of graduating with their seal of bi-literacy.
Yeili Figueroa Ornelas
What grade are you in this year?
Currently a senior at hillsboro high school but I am also enrolled in Early college and it's my second year in the program.
Since what grade did you join dual language?
I joined dual language enrollment in kindergarten since my elementary school was a bilingual school and I carried it all throughout high school.
What are the challenges of becoming bilingual/biliterate?
For me the hardest part of being bilingual and learning two languages at once, was transitioning from one language to another and as well as knowing I only talked one language at a time at home because at the time my parents did not know english at all so it was hard for me to know it was spanish at home and mostly english at school. Growing up and developing knowledge throughout high school was hard because not many teachers knew how to speak spanish.
Did you ever feel like giving up? If so, what kept you going?
Actually no, Never have I felt like giving up simply because I loved talking. I learned how talking more than one language at an early age was better for me. I saw all the advantages I had talking Spanish and english. My parents are my biggest motivators to keep me going even when things get hard.
Is there a funny memory while in the program that you wish to share?
I could go on forever, I think in the program you meet so many people throughout the way and I am so glad up to this day I am still friends with some since pre-school and I think having bilingual teachers around helping us made it even more memorable. I will never forget all the laughter we had in Spanish class while learning accents and grammar in Spanish and English and the difference between them.
How is the bilingual program helping you stay connected with family members here and in other parts of the world?
I think the bilingual program has helped me stay connected with my family members here because I'm able to talk Spanish to whoever needs it as well as talking English with my friends, switching it up and talking both languages. As well as with work I am an educator teacher at Champions program, which has helped me in the long run talking to parents as well as students. I think knowing both languages and being a bilingual student is very beneficial for work, talking to family members Etc.
How is dual language creating good citizens for Hillsboro, the state and the world?
I think dual language is creating good for Citizens not just for Hillsboro but all around because it's demonstrating that you're capable of learning more than one language and you're able to understand more. As well as you're able to help others around you regardless if they are family members or not. I think it's very beneficial to be in the bilingual program because it helps you in the long run. I know a lot of people wished they knew more than one language but were able to because they were getting taught when they were younger. For me it is harder to learn a new language when you're older not saying you can't do it, but I do think it's harder than learning it while you're young.
How are your bilingual skills helping you become more equipped to get a better job?
I think my bilingual skills have helped me in the long run and in my job currently as well as in the future because I am able to talk to parents and either language as well as with students, I know some people prefer Spanish over English or the other way around and me knowing both languages makes it so easy to communicate with both. As well as helping my parents out since they are not fluent in English I am able to translate for them. It definitely makes me know I will have many open doors talking both languages and getting a better job because it's definitely a great skill to have to not just help yourself but to help others around you. And knowing you can get paid a little extra simply by speaking another language. Being bilingual in any other language is good as well.
Please add any additional comments about your experience and hope for students in dual language.
If you are debating on taking Spanish classes or getting teased because you prefer to talk one language over other I say go for it and just take the opportunity if you're able to get into the dual-language program with no cost take advantage of it and know there are other people out there willing to have your spot and learning at a young age. Coming from two Hispanic parents just talking Spanish 24/7 while growing up, it was definitely a challenge because when I went to school I was mostly talked to in English so translating was hard at the beginning but now I am beyond thankful for all of the opportunities I have received and glad that my parents put me in a bilingual school with a dual language program. It has helped me develop so much knowledge and has made me realize the importance of being bilingual and all of the opportunities that there are simply for speaking a language you're comfortable with. I do prefer talking Spanish over English because Spanish was my first language.
Wonders/Maravillas
Our mission in HSD is to educate and reach all our learners. As such, when seeking a new reading curriculum, we sought to provide our teachers and students with a comprehensive program that provided authentic literature in both English and Spanish to support the needs of our Dual Language program. It is such a strength to have a program that teaches reading in Spanish not as a direct translation of the English program, but rather brings it alive through literature from our own Spanish-speaking countries!
With the Wonders and Maravillas curriculum, we ensure that students have access to literacy instruction that begins with the essential foundational skills that will allow students to begin reading with fluency and confidence for fun, and lead them into reading and writing for learning. The program includes instruction in phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension and always supports rich vocabulary instruction via texts, excerpts and engaging videos to pique student interest. Because bilingual education requires students to use their translanguaging skills, Wonders and Maravillas also provides language-specific bridging instruction in concrete examples such as cognates so students can transfer knowledge from one language to another.
The Wonders/Maravillas curriculum contains content to teach the whole class as well as small groups of students to ensure each student has access to grade-level standards and also at their own individual level. In addition to teacher-led activities, students can also log in via the online platform where they can practice their skills independently with fun games and more traditional activities. Students can also access and listen to the main texts if they would like to review the content. With tools that allow teachers to customize reading instruction to their students, Wonders/Maravillas provides a rich abundance of available resources.
Cesar Astudillo Zepeda
DL SLA/Social Studies Teacher/Poynter - Poynter MS
“Cesar has created a wonderful learning community within his classes. Students feel supported and are engaged in learning. He has done an amazing job adding new pieces to SLA and Social Studies to make them culturally relevant and contextual. He communicates constantly and consistently with his parents and students. Walking into his class is walking into a world of high level of engagement. Students love him!!!"
- Administrator
Graciela Cerda
DL Kinder teacher - Eastwood Elementary
“She puts her heart into everything she does. She spends so many extra hours to go above and beyond - making sure her students are receiving everything they need. She does home visits, parent phone calls, and dedicates herself to creating materials that help her students succeed inside and outside of the classroom. She is a wonderful teaching partner and is always happy to mentor other teachers - sharing her expertise with anyone who needs it. Everyone who works with her - as a peer or a student - is better for knowing her.”
- Colleague
Alvaro Ares
Avaro "actively contributes and advocates for our program growth. In collaboration with Admin, he has developed a system to evaluate and admit students in our DLP who did not have this opportunity offered to them before. Students recognize him for instilling passion for literature, engaging them in the discovery of literacy and linguistic aspects that they never thought Spanish could have; parents highlight how caring, flexible and patient he is at the same time that he holds high expectations from all of his students. He is a respected colleague in our school and in the regional network for his collaboration and contributions to the program in HSD and outside. Alvaro is a great asset for our DLP. He has organized two student led DLP nights in the first quarter this year, where parents listen with awe and emotion to the voices of our students as they shared and described their individual journeys in becoming bilingual, biliterate and bicultural, emphasizing what a key role Mr. Ares has played in the affirmation of their individual and collective identities as bilingual students and members of our beautiful Spartan bilingual community.”
- Administrator
Raquel Lemus
5th Grade DL Teacher - Eastwood Elementary
“Raquel creates an amazing community with her students, where everyone feels welcome and wanted. She consistently focuses on supporting her families and students with a critical anti racist anti bias lens. She questions the systems with our school and Hillsboro School district in order to serve those who the white cis gendered system is not created for. We are very lucky to have such an amazing teacher that creates and fosters learning for her students. She is creative with lessons and encourages students to take risks in their learning in the safe classroom.”- Colleague
Juan Fran Carceles
5th Grade DL Teacher - LIncoln Street
Juan Fran “works in many, many different manners to maintain the students interested, challenged and learning through games. The respect and care he has toward his students is amazing. The students enjoy his classes, the different way he uses to teach them math, reading, and writing is amazing. One can visualize the lessons and enjoy his enthusiasm as well as his students’ enjoyment of learning new things. He is an amazing teacher and motivator of learning and the students strive to meet his expectations. He is a true mentor.”
- Colleague
Dual Language at HSD
Arcema Tovar a tovara@hsd.k12.or.us
Director of Elementary Teaching and Learning & PK-12 Dual Language Programs
Gabby Villamagua a villamam@hsd.k12.or.us
Dual Language Teacher on Special Assignment
Stefany Moreno a morenost@hsd.k12.or.us
Administrative Assistant to Teaching and Learning