Board hears report on Spanish immersion middle‑school trip to Costa Rica; students and parents describe language, cultural and leadership gains

Rockford Public Schools staff, students and parents presented a recap of the district’s middle‑school Spanish immersion trip to Costa Rica and described academic, social and leadership benefits observed during the 10‑day travel program.

Principal Lisa Weidenfeller and secondary immersion lead Jesus Santion summarized the program’s goals — real‑world language use, cultural competency and student growth — and described logistics: the trip ran June 12–20, included 44 travelers (29 students and 15 adults), employed private tour groups with EF Tours, and divided students into seven travel groups (five students and two adults per group) to maintain adult supervision and conduct nightly room and head counts.

The presenters said the program emphasizes authentic Spanish use, with students receiving Spanish‑language tours and participating in nightly family meetings conducted in Spanish. Mr. Santion outlined expected learning outcomes: increased vocabulary and fluency, greater metalinguistic awareness, improved executive function and problem‑solving, and wider cultural understanding. He said the group used travel journals, daily reflections and a system of rewards to encourage Spanish use and leadership.

Students who spoke at the meeting described highlights including zip‑lining, white‑water rafting, hot springs, wildlife sightings (sloths, monkeys, scarlet macaws) and hands‑on farm experiences. One student reading a journal entry said, “The food was good, and it had, like, fresh fruit and a lot of beans and rice.” Another student said the trip helped build independence and confidence: “I learned how important it is to stay positive and have fun with the people around you.”

Parents and chaperones praised staff leadership and the learning experience. Parent Dave Bridal said watching students use Spanish in real settings underscored the program’s value: “They are fluent in Spanish. I just think back to the discussions… we don't see them talking Spanish so much at the house, but when we're in this environment to watch them do it, clearly, they have learned a ton and have this advantage that they'll be able to carry with them for the rest of their lives.”

Weidenfeller — who announced her retirement during the meeting — and Santion thanked chaperones, the tour company and parents. Santion said planning for the next trip will begin in the fall for current fifth‑ and sixth‑grade students; he said the two‑year planning cycle and the district’s private‑tour arrangement are designed to preserve safety and ensure a Spanish‑only immersion option for participating students.

Board members commended the trip and the program’s role in students’ language development and cultural exposure.