Wichita Magnet School Promotes Language Learning, Understanding
Published Aug 17, 2009
Michelle and Michael McGetrick wanted their children to learn Spanish early in life‚ when language abilities are at their sharpest.
Enrolling the three girls‚ now in first‚ fourth and seventh grades‚ at Horace Mann Dual Language Magnet has accomplished that goal – and much more‚ the parents say.
“Even though it’s sometimes hard for them – they get homework in two languages – they do marvelously well on the tests‚” Michelle McGetrick says. “And the experience has given them a more global perspective.”
Horace Mann serves 580 students in kindergarten through eighth grade using a two-way‚ dual-language immersion approach. Half of all academic lessons are taught in Spanish‚ and the other half in English. Half of students are Spanish speakers‚ and the other half come from English-speaking homes.
This research-based teaching model improves English for Spanish-speaking students while allowing English-speaking students to acquire a second language‚ says former Principal Connie Quintanilla.
“It is a very rigorous curriculum that has impacted the entire community by enhancing unity and cross-cultural understanding‚” says Quintanilla‚ who retired in spring 2006 after more than two decades with the Wichita school system.
Quintanilla helped found the district’s dual-language program and served as principal at Horace Mann after it was constructed in 2002 as the state’s only content-based‚ dual-language immersion campus. New Principal Ken Jantz took over for the 2006-07 school year.
“One of the reasons we started the program was that our Hispanic kids were not graduating from high school‚” Quintanilla says. “We knew we wanted to do more to meet their needs.”
Quintanilla believes the school can help raise graduation rates significantly.
“We’ve already seen our middle school kids getting excited about college and making career plans‚” she adds.
While language skills are a strong focus‚ academic rigor in all subjects is emphasized.
“It is important that we follow all of the standards and teach what the district and the state are expecting‚” Quintanilla says. “Reading‚ writing and math scores all are high.”
Parent Barbara Chapparro enrolled her two children in the dual-language program because her husband’s family is from Puerto Rico‚ and she wanted them to be able to communicate with relatives. A bonus of the program is its effect on learning‚ she says.
“Research shows that once students reach fifth or sixth grade‚ you can see the benefits carrying through to math skills‚ problem solving and other areas‚” Chapparro says.
McGetrick and Chapparro both are happy to see their children developing friend ships across cultural lines.
“My youngest recently had a play date at the home of a child whose parents are from Mexico‚ and the mother doesn’t speak English‚” McGetrick says. “This child has come to our home and played‚ as well. It promotes understanding.”
Story by Renee Elder
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