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Learning
from Amistad ("Friendship") School in
New York City |
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Los Puentes has the advantage of learning from the experience of other successful dual immersion language school models. With the collaboration of other dual immersion schools we can focus on effectively implementing our program without having to "reinvent the wheel." One such model school is the Amistad ("friendship" in Spanish") School in New York City under the leadership of Director Josephine Mangual. Rebecca Torres, a Los Puentes ECU collaborator, took the opportunity during a visit to New York to spend the day at Amistad School. Ms. Mangual and her faculty warmly opened their class rooms and shared their experiences with Dr. Torres who in turn brought back what she learned to our Los Puentes team. We extend our gratitude for their generosity in sharing their expertise and experiences!
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First
grade reading chart at Amistad School, New York
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Amistad
Kindergarten class room
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Amistad Dual Language Immersion School was established in 1996 to serve children K-5th grade. Next year the highly successful Amistad School will graduate its first group of 5th graders -- all of whom are fluent in both Spanish and English. There are a total of 250 children enrolled in the school with a balance of language dominance kept at approximately 50/50 (50% Spanish native speakers and 50% English or other languages) To provide language equity and consistency, Kindergarten and first grade classes are taught in Spanish on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and in English on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Direct literacy instruction is given in the child's native language during these early years although they receive content instruction in both languages. In 2nd thru 5th grade, to provide consistency in all content areas, children receive instruction in one language in the morning and the other in the afternoon -- alternating language order in 2 week cycles. |
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there is a long list waiting list of children for this highly successful
program. We hope to continue building our friendship with Amistad school, not only to learn from them, but to create future exchanges so that children in both schools may learn about their diverse rural-urban realities. |
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learn more about Amistad School go to Amistad On-line Information: |
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Motto
on class room door,
Amistad School N.Y. |