On Graduation Day, 'Goals Have Been Met' for Dual Language Students

Editor's Note: The following is a message from Richfield Dual Language School Principal Marta Shahsavand.

On June 7th, our first 5th grade class will graduate from our school. This year is especially meaningful for us because these students are the boys and girls who started our project of dual immersion in Richfield. As these students complete their studies, we can begin to evaluate this educational project.

Today, we can say that two goals laid out 6 years ago have been met. We can confirm that these students are bilingual and bicultural.  When we say that they are bilingual, we mean to say that they have received instruction in both Spanish and English, that has been orderly, responsible, rigorous, and quality.

When we say that they are bicultural, we refer to the daily sharing with classmates from different cultures, which has allowed them to love, respect, value, and appreciate those different cultures represented by each student.

Today, we feel excited for our students’ achievements. It has not been easy and there is still much to improve on what we believe is an adventure of hope, where we combine a diversity of cultures, and therefore customs, language, social classes and much more. The central goal that moves this program is not only for children to learn two languages, but also for them to learn to value the richness of diversity coming from different regions of this earth. To experience that diversity is like a fan that produces fresh breeze, to support all people equally.

These 62 students departing from RDLS on June 7th, fill us with mixed feelings of happiness, pride, joy, sadness, and nostalgia. Such feelings are shared by parents, teachers, students and staff. We know that these boys and girls will face new horizons and make strides in furthering their education, as they start in the Middle School.

Our desire for each of these students is that along with their bilingual and multicultural values, they will carry with them what they have learned and experienced at RDLS: cooperation, empathy, respect, Internal control and assertiveness, among others. We hope that they can use those values as tools and valuable resources in their daily lives, in order to be successful today, tomorrow, and always. Just as a butterfly must undergo changes to become the beautiful creature that it is, so must our students. Although these boys and girls are sure to face some obstacles, they can use the knowledge and understanding that they take with them to turn their dreams and goals into reality.

We give thanks to the district and parents who trusted us and supported our faculty and staff, to reach this goal accomplished today, represented through these 62 students that make up the first of many graduating 5th grade classes at RDLS. Thank you!

***
Related:

• Richfield to Graduate First Class from Dual Language School