Mansfield ISD Offers Dual Language Classes

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Mansfield ISD continues to prepare students to be more marketable in the real world and two-way dual language classes are preparing students for just that.

The classes are taught 50 percent in English and 50 percent in Spanish. The purpose is to produce a class of students that are able to read, write and speak in two languages.

“The dual language program in our district is based on a biliteracy model,” said Ana Munoz, dual language specialist for MISD. “The goal is for our students to be able to work in a global market and in order to do this they have to acquire all these skills in both languages.”

The program has been in effect for intermediate schools for seven years and for elementary students for two. Donna Sheppard Intermediate School is currently the only intermediate school with dual language classes.

“With our two-way program, we want to expand it as far as we can,” said Munoz. “It is set up to go through sixth grade and hopefully, if everything aligns, we are hoping to go past the intermediate level to middle school and perhaps high school.”

The program has benefits beyond learning two languages, students who participate in the program for five years are also eligible to receive one high school foreign language credit. In addition, the classes provide opportunities for small group work.

“It gives students the opportunity to collaborate,” said Rosalilia Vazquez, Donna Sheppard sixth grade bilingual teacher. “Students are paired with a strong English speaker and a strong Spanish speaker so when they have issues or they get to a word they don’t understand they can work with the partner to grow in both languages.”

According to Yanet Rubio, a fifth-grader at Donna Shepard, the teachers are what make the class more fun.

“My favorite part about class are probably the teachers,” said Rubio. “They are so sweet and when you need the help they will come to you and answer your questions. They have helped me control [my nerves]. The way that they support me, they say that I can do it and I don’t doubt myself.”

Because learning two language can sometimes be difficult, the teachers consistently tell the students “no te rindas” which means never give up.

For more information about the program, there will be an informational meeting on March 28 at 6 p.m. at D.P. Morris Elementary School or visit www.mansfieldisd.org.

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El Distrito escolar de Mansfield continúa preparando a los estudiantes para que estén preparados para el mundo real y el Programa Bilingüe Dual están ayudando a que esto sea una realidad.

Las clases se imparten 50 por ciento en inglés y 50 por ciento en español. El propósito es producir una clase de estudiantes que puedan leer, escribir y hablar en dos idiomas.

"El programa de lenguaje dual en nuestro distrito se basa en un modelo de alfabetización bilingüe", dijo Ana Muñoz, especialista en lenguaje dual para MISD. "El objetivo es que nuestros estudiantes puedan trabajar en un mercado global y para ello tienen que adquirir todas estas habilidades en ambos idiomas".

El programa ha estado vigente para escuelas intermedias por más de siete años y para estudiantes de primaria durante dos años. La Escuela Intermedia Donna Sheppard es actualmente la única escuela intermedia con clases de lenguaje dual.

"Con nuestro programa bilingüe dual, queremos expandirlo lo más que podamos", dijo Muñoz. "Está configurado para pasar a sexto grado y, esperamos pasar del nivel intermedio a la escuela media y quizás a la secundaria".

El programa tiene beneficios más allá del aprendizaje de dos idiomas, los estudiantes que participan en el programa durante cinco años también son elegibles para recibir un crédito de idioma extranjero de escuela secundaria. Además, las clases ofrecen oportunidades para el trabajo en grupos pequeños.

“Les da a los estudiantes la oportunidad de colaborar”, dijo Rosalilia Vázquez, maestra bilingüe de sexto grado de Donna Sheppard. "Los estudiantes tiene una pareja bilingüe, un hablante de inglés y un hablante de español, por lo que cuando tienen problemas o llegan a una palabra, que no entienden pueden trabajar con el compañero para crecer en ambos idiomas".

Según Yanet Rubio, estudiante de quinto grado en Donna Shepard, los maestros son los que hacen que la clase sea más divertida.

"Mi parte favorita de la clase son probablemente los maestros", dijo Rubio. “Son muy dulces y cuando necesitas ayuda, ellos acuden a ti y responden tus preguntas. Me han ayudado a controlar [mis nervios]. Por la forma en que me apoyan, dicen que puedo hacerlo y no dudo de mí mismo".

Debido a que aprender dos idiomas a veces puede ser difícil, los maestros constantemente le dicen a los estudiantes "no te rindas".

Para obtener más información sobre el programa, habrá una reunión informativa el 28 de marzo a las 6 p.m. en D.P. Morris Elementary School o visite www.mansfieldisd.org.

MISD Staff Rock Their School to Increase Student Engagement

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Student engagement and classroom rigor went to a whole new level at Donna Shepard Intermediate School.

Thousands of educators around the world took part in Rock Your School Day on Sept. 20. It’s an event with the goal of getting every student in every classroom to reignite their love for learning.

Participating educators are tasked with creating an outside-the-box educational experience for students, and Shepard Intermediate staff members were up for the challenge.

“As the kids were walking in, there were the electives teachers who were rocking music, and then the administrators [dressed in rock gear] were greeting students at the buses when they were coming in,” said Amalia Cervantes, the lead English language learners teacher at Shepard Intermediate.

The neon rock ‘n’ roll theme was just the beginning.

Dressed as a rockstar, Principal Matthew Brown
 high-fives students as they enter school.

When fifth-graders went into their classrooms, they discovered that each one had a different theme with several interactive activities. One class was decked out in Hollywood glam. Others featured camping, the beach or investigative gear.

Although organizers wanted the students to have fun, keeping the curriculum at a high level was equally important.

“Today, we were learning about fractions. And then in science, we were learning about solubility and stuff…seeing what happens when you mix salt and water,” explained fifth-grader Samuel Kleinjan.

Staff members said they stayed late, came early and received tons of help from parents to help transform their classrooms into a captivating learning experience; but it was all worth it in the end.

“The kids were super excited, and that’s what matters,” Cervantes continued. “They were engaged. They want to be here today and any day that we’re going to do these again...because we will be doing them again.”

School administrators plan to incorporate a Rock Your School Day at least once every six weeks. They said it is important to continually find a way to deliver ordinary content in an extraordinary way.

Schools Introduce Competitive Play for Younger Students

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For younger students who want to play an organized sport, an outside league used to be their only option.

Now, more Mansfield ISD elementary and intermediate schools are starting their own competitive leagues to increase student involvement.

“The district guiding statement is every student will participate in an extracurricular or co-curricular activity,” said Tamara Liddell, principal of Janet Brockett Elementary School. “We, along with several other Mansfield ISD schools, wanted to take that vision to another level.”

Brockett Elementary teamed up with seven MISD elementary schools to create a basketball league for third- and fourth-grade boys. Games are played in front of a packed house on Monday nights, and practices are held throughout the week.

Cheerleading clubs have also been created at schools to
cheer the boys on.

Coach Ron Middleton said it teaches the kids to be successful student-athletes. He said the kids learn discipline and character. In addition, every one of his students gives a grade report to their other teachers to make sure academics remains the focus.

“These kids are students first and athletes second,” explained the Brockett Elementary P.E. teacher. “You have to make sure you’re on top of your game—not only on the court but in the classroom as well.”

The idea is catching on at the intermediate level as well. Although Donna Shepard Intermediate School does not play against other schools, the intramural program introduced this year still receives large participation.

“They get to stay here after school and be with their friends in a safe environment and still be active,” said P.E. teacher Lesley Burke. “It just enhances those competitive skills and helps them to be a good winner and a good sport.”

Shepard Intermediate’s intramural program offers dodgeball, basketball, volleyball and soccer. The fifth- and sixth-graders will also have a chance to compete in video gaming later this school year.

Positive Messages Pop Up in Girls Bathrooms

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With all the messages young girls are being exposed to about what it looks like to be beautiful, a Mansfield ISD principal took the initiative to ensure that girls on his campus know the true meaning of beauty.

Matthew Brown, principal of Donna Shepard Intermediate School, heard of a school that decorated positive messages inside of the girls bathrooms, and he decided that it would be a great thing to incorporate at his new campus as well.

“One of the first things that I thought about as I toured the building this summer was that we had an opportunity at our school for that kind of advertisement for our kids,” said Brown.

He posted the idea on the school’s Facebook page and was pleasantly surprised about how many parents wanted to help.

Moms gathered on campus to complete the project.

“There were a lot of moms interested in helping and volunteering,” said Tracie Whittler, a parent who took the lead on the project. “Having two young ladies myself, I just think any type of inspiration you can give them to be themselves and know that they’re beautiful is amazing.”

Whittler said parents have pitched in to buy supplies, print the material, cut the vinyl and mount the artwork. The decorations will be on display in the girls bathrooms and locker room on stall doors and mirrors.

Brown has two daughters of his own and said this project hits close to home for him.

“My whole goal in this was to look at what really makes our students beautiful,” Brown explained. “That’s in our values at MISD. We talk about being resilient and putting others first. That’s what I wanted our girls to see.”