Rockford Rams Immersion 411
Rockford Public Schools Spanish Immersion Highlights
December 2022 Edition
A note of gratitude
I am beyond grateful for the opportunity that I have been given to serve this program and the community. Thank you all for your support and partnership. This program has been built by a passionate group of educators and families and it is my honor to join the team.
Have a blessed holiday season!
How do we measure our students' Spanish proficiency?
We use ACTFL Proficiency Standards
In Rockford Public Schools, we are measuring our students Spanish proficiency level through an assessment that measures Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. We will begin testing all of our Spanish Immersion students in the Spring in the following grades: 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th,9th*, 10th and 12th grades.
*We will be testing our 9th graders this year to gain some baseline data. It is most likely that we will not test our 9th graders every year.
Understanding Language Proficiency
What are the proficiency levels?
- Distinguished
- Superior
- Advanced
- Intermediate
- Novice
Each one of these levels has a low, mid and high sub-level.
Proficiency Levels Explained
Proficiency Levels Explained - Click below for access to the document shown above
Kindergarten News
Any Siblings joining us next year for Kindergarten?
It's that time of year again. If you have an incoming Kindergartener or DKer for next school year and you have an older sibling in the Spanish Immersion Program already, please fill out the following application -https://forms.gle/1Z1sT97a2CvLWScs8
All sibling applications need to be filled out by December 17th or you will not be guaranteed a spot in our SI program. This will hold their spot in the Spanish Immersion program for 2023-2024 school year.
Upcoming Kindergarten Dates
- April 13th - Spanish Immersion Kindergarten Screening
- April 20th - Spanish Immersion Lottery
- April 24th - Spanish Immersion Acceptance Deadline
Cultural Connection -Hispanic Christmas Traditions
Los Reyes Magos: The Three Kings
While some Spanish families have also embraced the Santa tradition in recent years, it’s los reyes magos who are the most important. Read on to learn more about this beloved Spanish holiday tradition!
Weekend Cultural Event
Spanish Immersion (SI) Booster Club
What is the Spanish Immersion (SI) Booster Club?
What is the Spanish Immersion (SI) Booster Club?
We’re a group of volunteers that raise funds to provide extra financial support to the RPS K-12 Spanish Immersion (SI) Program. RPS SI teachers & staff submit grant requests to SI Boosters for a variety of classroom instructional needs, and funds are dispersed throughout the year to support SI classrooms at Roguewood, NRMS and the FC/HS. Spanish language materials often cost significantly more, so the Booster club exists to help offset those costs.
What do we fund?
We generally focus on ‘above & beyond’ support in these areas:
Spanish language books & instructional materials for classrooms & libraries
Immersion instruction professional development for teachers (ie, conferences, workshops)
Spanish cultural enrichment events
Other Spanish language & classroom extras as requested
Items Already Funded for 2022-23:
- 6th Grade Field Trip to Dia de los Muertos exhibit at Grand Rapids Public Museum (transportation & food)
- ACTFL Annual Membership (K-12 teacher professional development resources)
- 5th Grade Scholastic Magazine "Ahora" Subscriptions
- Junior Library Guild spanish book subscription for Roguewood Library
- 2-Day Immersion Instruction Summer Workshop (teacher professional development)
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockfordSIBoosters
Donate via Venmo: @SI-BOOSTERS
SI Booster Pointsettia Sale
6th grade Día de los Muertos
The SI Booster Club was happy to fund Sra. Marlow's (6th Grade) culture field trip to the Dia de los Muertos exhibit, A Celebration of Souls. Thank you for your donations which made this trip possible.
Spanish Magazine for 3rd graders
Senorita Meyer's third grade class diving into their first ¿Qué tal? magazine, funded by the SI Boosters. The magazines are set up to improve vocabulary, fluency, and expose students to age-appropriate news, geography topics, current events/lifestyle, music, celebrations, and education and society.
Amie Santillán - Dean of Immersion
Email: asantillan@rockfordschools.org
Website: www.rockfordschools.org
Location: 3900 Kroes St NE, Rockford, MI 49341, USA
Phone: (616) 863-6374
Twitter: @SraSantillan