The Herricks Public Schools continued its summer language learning experiences, with a total of 120 students participating in this year’s programs.
Students enrolled in the Spanish language immersion program had the opportunity to keep their skills sharp and acquire new knowledge, while a JumpStart program for English as new language learners helped students prepare for the school year ahead by helping them continue to fine-tune the English language.
Both programs were held from July 23-30 at Searingtown Elementary School. Each year the Director of World Languages Language Immersion & English as a New Language/ESL, Francesco Fratto, and his team, identifies a theme for the programs in order to enhance the interest in language as it relates to other subjects.
The 2019 programs focused on marine life and included a field trip to the Long Island Aquarium as a highlight.
Spanish language immersion and English language learner participants broadened their vocabulary related to marine life through conservations, reading, writing, listening and the arts.
The JumpStart program prepared incoming kindergarten students, identified as possible English language learners, for the school year; upper-grade attendees had the opportunity to meet peers from the other elementary buildings before they begin middle school in the fall. The programs addressed the needs of all students.
Teachers developed lessons of their choice, based on the theme, that involved writing exercises, hands-on activities, reading, vocabulary review and conversations in the students’ second languages.
