The Bend-LaPine School Board held its regular meeting on September 9, 2025, focusing on the successes and future of the district's dual immersion program. The meeting featured presentations from staff and students, highlighting the program's impact on multilingual education and community engagement.

The session began with a heartfelt introduction from a staff member who emphasized the importance of inclusivity and support for all students and families. This set the tone for the discussions that followed, showcasing the commitment of the district to create a welcoming environment.

Dr. Stephanie Bonnie, the elementary dual language program coordinator, provided an overview of the program's achievements. She noted that the district recently graduated its third cohort from Caldera High School, marking a significant milestone in the program's development. Dr. Bonnie emphasized the research-backed approach of the dual immersion model, which aims to ensure that students become bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural while achieving strong academic results.

Updates on the program included the expansion to four sites: Bear Creek Elementary, Jewell Elementary, High Desert, and Caldera. Notably, Jewell Elementary celebrated its first group of fifth graders completing the K-5 curriculum, paving the way for these students to join High Desert next year. This transition is expected to enhance the program's offerings, including the prestigious bronze seal of biliteracy, which recognizes students' language proficiency.

Carlos, a former student of the dual immersion program, shared his personal journey and the program's evolution. He highlighted the growth in bilingual communications and cultural enrichment opportunities, particularly for the Hispanic community. Carlos expressed his enthusiasm for contributing to the district's ongoing efforts to bridge language barriers and foster cultural connections.

The meeting concluded with an invitation for board members to visit the program sites and witness the positive developments firsthand. Overall, the discussions underscored the district's dedication to enhancing educational opportunities for multilingual students and fostering a supportive community environment.