Richfield to Graduate First Class from Dual Language School

After opening its doors in the fall of 2007, Richfield Dual Language School will graduate its first official class of fifth-graders June 7.

The fifth-graders are the first elementary students to complete a dual-language curriculum in Richfield. The creation of Richfield Dual Language School also paved the way for the opening of Richfield S.T.E.M. School, according to a school release.

The graduating students began their journey through the program as kindergarteners, building on the program each year until reaching the fifth-grade.

Matt Jurewicz discovered the school at an open house at Sheridan Hills Elementary School in the spring of 2007.

“My wife, Joy, and I both decided that evening that Eli and daughter, Bella, would attend the new, yet-to-be-named school,” Jurewicz told Patch in an e-mail. “Joy and I both feel that in today's world, being bilingual is extremely important and to have this opportunity right here in our own community was too good to pass up.”

Luis Versalles was charged by the Richfield Public Schools District to develop the dual-language curriculum and get the school off the ground, according to the school. Versalles became the schools coordinator and associate principal in 2007, and eventually its principal from 2010 to 2011. Marta Shahsavand took over as principal in the fall of 2011.

“Today, we feel excited for our students’ achievements,” Shahsavand wrote to Patch. “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,” she added. “To experience that diversity is like a fan that produces fresh breeze, to support all people equally.”

Despite some ups and downs, Jurewicz said he and his wife kept the end goal in mind.

“Even though we experienced our share of frustrations over the past 6 years, we always kept the goal of bilingualism at the front of our minds and chalked up those frustrations as ‘growing pains’ that a new school goes through as it becomes established,” he said. “We feel our kids are getting a great education at RDLS, beyond just becoming bilingual.”

A graduation ceremony will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday, June 7 at Richfield Middle School.