H.O.L.A. Spanish Part II

Edgewood & Evergreen Elementary Schools

Edgewood & Evergreen Elementary Schools are two independent elementary schools housed in one-site.  The two schools share structural and instructional resources as well as a mission to successfully educate all children in our learning community.  We believe strongly in creating a community of learners that extends beyond the classroom.   Project H.O.L.A. Spanish! (Helping Our Learners Access Spanish) Part Two identifies ten bi-lingual professionals in the Eugene/Springfield area to visit our students and discuss how the Spanish language is necessary in their professional work.  These bi-lingual professionals will build upon the lessons of a Spanish Facilitator who will be instructing a weekly Spanish language class (starting in January and continuing through May).  A minimum of once a month, a bi-lingual professional will be invited to model, discuss, demonstrate, and teach the importance of Spanish in their work. Last semester was the only opportunity our schools have had for foreign language or a formal career exploration course.  Project H.O.L.A. Spanish--Part Two would continue to fill this void by providing introductory Spanish language instruction and at the same time illustrate how Spanish speaking is used by various professionals in the Eugene/Springfield area.  Additionally, we plan to add a staff development component to better enable staff members to carry through with the instruction in the classroom.

Why is this project important?

Ensuring the success of all students, in an increasingly diverse world, is the primary mission of both Edgewood & Evergreen.  Providing students with access to a foreign language helps better equip them for the growing diversity of our society and workforce.  Project H.O.L.A. Spanish--Part Two serves the following purposes:  (1) developing beginning Spanish skills; (2) providing professional development for staff to reinforce the skills taught by the Spanish Facilitator.  (3) demonstrating the usefulness of Spanish in various careers; and (4) promoting career exploration.  Teaching introductory Spanish skills while at the same time illustrating how the language is used in a variety of careers is a powerful combination.  The career exploration component of Project H.O.L.A. Spanish--Part Two adds a level of relevance to language development that is often missing from language learning.  Students will come away with an understanding of why learning Spanish is important in the world of work. Our Spanish Facilitator reports that the students at Edgewood/Evergreen have made tremendous progress in one semester.  The staff reports noticeable language acquisitions skills have been acquired and parents report positive feedback regarding their child's interest in Spanish.  It is our desire to continue to make progress and train our staff in strategies that could be implemented to use Spanish in their instruction.   Last semester was the only opportunity our schools have had for foreign language or formal career exploration course.  Project H.O.L.A. Spanish--Part Two continues these much needed opportunities for our students by granting access to the Spanish language and various careers in which Spanish is a core component.

Who, and how many, will be served?
 

This project will serve approximately 342 students and 22 staff members.  However, the secondary benefits of this project are expected to have much wider reaching effects as our students acquire language skills and explore career options in the future.

How will you evaluate the success of this project?

A pre and post assessment of students and staff will be given to measure language development and career awareness.  More specifically, this assessment will measure the familiarity, comfort level, and usage of acquired language skills.  In addition, career options will be measured by past and current perceptions as well as expansion of views.   Finally, individual student learning will be monitored in an effort to examine impacts of language acquisition and career exploration in our curriculum.

Does this proposal build upon existing programs at your school?

This proposed project builds upon our informal efforts of career exploration and cultural awareness.  Our hope is that Project H.O.L.A. Spanish--Part Two will continue to formalize our efforts and provide consistency for our students, career exploration, and culturally diversity.  

How will the funds be spent?
 

Salary of Spanish facilitator; teacher/student resource books; bi-Lingual Community Speakers stipends.