Planning and Implementing a New Dual Language Program
December 8, 2009

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Will there still be a regular English speaking Kindergarten at Salt Creek if parents decide not to enroll in Dual Language?    Yes, there will be half day Kindergarten classes at Salt Creek or at your neighborhood school.
  2. Why aren’t all Kindergarten classes full day?  Currently the school board is considering a full day Kindergarten program for the entire District but it would not be implemented in 2009-2010.
  3. Can I remove my child from the Dual Language Program?   Since students cannot be added to the program, and full proficiency takes 3 to 5 years, we ask families make a commitment for the entire 6 years, Kindergarten through 5th Grade.  We understand that situations may arise where a student must leave the program.  Before a child would leave the program, meetings between the principal, parents, and teachers will be held. 
  4. What happens if my child falls behind?  Support and additional resources in both languages will be provided for any child that is falling behind in their class work.   These same resources are available to all students in the District.
  5. What about homework?  The amount of homework in kindergarten is limited and will likely include only daily reading time in the native language.  Any additional homework assignments will be ones that can be completed by the child independently. This plan will change in the upper grades. Some options might be: directions for parents can be send home in native language, homework sent in both languages, homework club after school, etc.
  6. How will busing work for non-Salt Creek students and for Salt Creek students?  Buses will be provided to pick up those students not within the Salt Creek boundaries.  The schedule will be determined by the district and bus company when participating students are identified.  Those students inside the Salt Creek boundaries will follow the same bus schedule as the rest of the student population.
  7. How will lunch and recess be handled? The Dual Language Kindergarten class will have lunch and recess with the school. They will have 20-25 minutes for lunch and 20-25 minutes of recess.  The students will have the option of buying lunch or bringing their lunches and will sit at their own table.
  8. What kind of curriculum and materials aides will be used? The curriculum and materials used by the Dual Language Program will be the same ones used by the entire District.  The only difference is these materials will be in English and/or Spanish, depending on the subject.
  9. What are the District’s plans for classes beyond fifth grade?  At this time the plans for junior high, grades 6 through 8, are in the works. In the future, discussions will be held to determine how the Dual Language program can best be continued in junior high. 
  10. Will the Dual Language students participate in all school functions and assemblies?   Yes, the Dual Language students are part of the Salt Creek student body and they will be participating in all of the school functions. 
  11. Will the TDP (Talent Development Program) be available for Dual Language Students?  The TDP program, as well as any other program offered to students at Salt Creek, will be made available to Dual Language students.
  12. What kind of involvement are you expecting from the parents? There are many ways for parents to get involved; volunteering time in the classroom, assisting with holiday parties, and joining the PTO, participating in Dual Language family events and the parent network.
  13. Is there anything I can do to prepare my child for the Dual Language Program?  No, we have the same expectations of all incoming kindergarteners.  Please see the Kindergarten Handbook when you register.
  14. Will the before and after school program be available for Dual Language Kindergartners?  Yes, it will be possible to drop the students at school as early as 7:00am and pick them up as late as 6:00pm for an additional charge through the Elk Grove Park District Kid’s Club program.
  15. Won’t my child get confused hearing two languages during school?  No, studies show that children at a young age have the ability to learn many languages and adapt quickly.  In addition, there will be a strict separation of language use (no translations).
  16. How long will it take the native English speaking children to begin understanding Spanish?   Almost immediately, due to the teaching methodologies used, repetition in class, and reinforcement, students will be able to understand and follow simple directions in the first few weeks.
  17. How will native Spanish speaking children learn English?  The same way as native English speakers will learn Spanish, through specialized instructional strategies, repetition and positive reinforcement.
  18. Will there be an ELL (English Language Learner) Kindergarten class at Salt Creek?  It will depend on the number of children enrolled in the Dual Language program and the total kindergarten enrollment.
  19. When registering for Kindergarten, do we need to register for the Dual Language program and our neighborhood school?  Families who wish to register for the Dual Language program should register at Salt Creek School between February 24 and March 18, 2009. All necessary enrollment paperwork will be completed, along with an application for the Dual Language program.  In the event that the child is not accepted into the program, the paperwork will be returned to the home school.
  20. When will we find out if our child has been accepted in the Dual Language Program?  All parents will be notified on March 19, 2009. 
  21. If our child is not accepted into the Dual Language Program, will we still be considered for AM or PM in our neighborhood school?  If a child is not accepted, all registration materials will be forwarded to the home school and the home school will assign the child to AM or PM based on the school’s enrollment procedures. 
  22. Will there be a waiting list in case a child drops out before the program begins?  Yes, another student will be added if a child leaves prior to the program starting in August.  The same selection criteria will be used as defined in the brochure.
  23. Why Spanish and not some other language?  Spanish was chosen because a significant percentage of families in the district speak Spanish at home.  In addition, Spanish is the language that is most requested for second language instruction.
DUAL LANGUAGE