Public commenters praise Lawndale dual-immersion Spanish program

Three speakers during public comment praised the district's dual-immersion Spanish program, saying it elevates the language and benefits students across grade levels.

The speakers, identified in the transcript as Speaker 1 (commenter), Speaker 2 (commenter) and a student from Lawndale, described the program as an asset for both native Spanish speakers and students who do not speak Spanish at home. "1 thing I love about the program is that it really elevates the status of the Spanish language. And so we don't see Spanish as a barrier to overcome, but Spanish is an opportunity to learn," Speaker 1 said.

Speaker 2 added that the program's growth is changing family perceptions and strengthening classroom discussion as students advance: "I think with the growth of our dual immersion program, many families are starting to see the benefits of learning another language, especially for our students who are non Spanish speakers, don't come from a Spanish speaking household. They're able to learn from kinder, and by the time they come up through the pipeline in middle school, we have rich conversations. It is part of the foundation of their learning to open up and become a citizen of the world."

A student who identified themself as attending Lawndale provided firsthand testimony about bilingual identity and future goals: "I am a student in Lawndale, and I am bilingual. And when I grow up, I wanna be a professional swimmer... When I grow up, I wanna be a meteorologist for the NHC." The student repeated that they are bilingual three times during their remarks.

These remarks in the transcript occurred during public comment and do not include any staff presentation, motion, or vote on program changes. The transcript does not specify enrollment numbers, funding sources, or formal proposals tied to the program.