Happy February,

This month's focus is on the 25th Anniversary of our Dual Language Program.

Twenty-five years ago, the West Liberty Community School District started the first Dual Language Program in the state of Iowa. This was a new, innovative plan in response to the growing needs of English Language Learners, and the desire to elevate the Spanish language and culture within the West Liberty Community School District. Since then, the program has grown and developed to serve the students and families of the communities of West Liberty, Atalissa, and Nichols, from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Students become bilingual, biliterate, and learn about the diversity of our community and world. The dual language program is as strong as ever, and we are excited to be celebrating the twenty-fifth year of this amazing program in our district!

HISTORY OF THE WEST LIBERTY DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAM

The West Liberty Community School District’s Dual Language Program began in the fall of 1997 when the district received a five-year 1.7 million dollar federal Title VII grant from the United States Department of Education. A team of teachers, administrators, school board members, parents, and community members spent a year studying various program models and engaging in teacher training. Community meetings and pre-registration for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten were held.

The first year of implementation was in the fall of 1998 at grades pre-kindergarten and kindergarten with two classroom sections at each grade level. From 1999-2002, additional grade levels were added as the oldest group advanced to the next grade. In June 2002, after completion of the five-year grant, the program was established through third grade. From July 2002 to the present, the district has continued to support the program extending through 12th grade.

In 2007, West Liberty began a partnership with the International Spanish Academy, a part of the Ministry of Education of Spain. The elementary, middle school, and high school all became International Spanish academies and were the first in Iowa.

Dual Language Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u110bmxbUJM

GO COMETS!!

Shaun Kruger

Superintendent

February 19: No School

February 28: End of 2nd Trimester

February 29: No School, Teacher work day

March 1: No School, Teacher comp day

March 11-15: Spring Break, No School

The past few weeks have been relatively slow given the snow and cold, however, things are beginning to pick up as of this week. The city and Knutson are working together to install the site transformer, with full power to the site anticipated to be completed within the next couple of weeks.

As a district, we are continually meeting with Knutson Construction managers on a biweekly basis. Siding on the concession stand and ticket booth should be wrapped up by the end of the month. Also, we are first on the list of three track stripers for this spring, so if all goes well, the track will be ready for our first meet in April. Scoreboards will be installed, along with the completion of the remaining groundwork and seeding of the site in preparation for this spring. Last, the dugouts and press boxes are being assembled and will be erected in March.

Thank you for your patience as the project work is completed. We want this project finished in a timely manner, and we also want to ensure that our students and community have an outstanding, high quality facility for many years to come.

Mark your calendars for these upcoming events: