West Chicago Elementary School District #33
Dr. Ed Leman, Superintendent						Board of Education
312 E. Forest Avenue West Chicago, IL 60185						Dave Barclay, President
www.wegoed33.k12.il.us						Katrine Maguire Secretary
(630) 293-6000      Fax (630) 293-6088						Deborah D. Ramsey
Contact:		Becky Koltz	School/Community Relations Specialist			Chris Scheck
			(630) 293-6000 ext. 201			Joseph Lach
			koltzb@wegoed33.k12.il.us			Sue Stibal
Date:	January 19, 2007					Martin Swinney

District 33 announces
Dual Language Informational Meeting

District 33 offers a unique opportunity for students entering Kindergarten. Now in its 6th year, the Dual Language Program offers students the chance to be literate in reading, writing, and speaking in both English and Spanish by the end of 6th grade. This program is housed at Gary School.

A Dual Language classroom is made up of approximately 50% English dominant speakers and 50% Spanish dominant speakers. Research shows achievement among these students is higher due to the cognitive abilities used in learning two languages.

Parents of students in the program are encouraged to take part in Spanish as a Second Language (SSL) classes, or English as a Second Language (ESL) classes offered by District 33. Parents who choose this option are better equipped to assist their children, and also model the value of learning two languages.

A Dual Language Informational Meeting will take place at Gary School, 130 E. Forest Ave., West Chicago, on Thursday, February 8, 2006 from 5:30 - 7:00 PM. Parents of children participating in the program as well as Dual Language teachers and program directors will be on hand to answer questions. Renowned expert, Dr. Sonia Soltero, Assistant Professor in the School of Education at DePaul University, will speak about the benefits of Dual Language education.

Interested parents and children can also attend a Dual Language Open House at Gary School on February 13 or 15, between the hours of 9:00 AM and 2:30 PM, for an opportunity to see the program in action. Parents may choose to enroll their children in this program for the 2007-2008 school year during Kindergarten Registration in April.

For more information about this unique program, call Gloria Trejo, Director of Second Language Learning at 293-6000 ext. 207.

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