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San Marcos Unified expands dual-language pathway; Twin Oaks and Project GLAD highlighted
Summary
District staff updated the board on expansion of dual-language programs and Project GLAD training at Twin Oaks Elementary and other sites, and two fifth-graders described their bilingual experiences as the program prepares to extend to Woodland Park Middle School.
San Marcos Unified School District presented an update Thursday on its dual-language and biliteracy efforts, saying the program will expand into Woodland Park Middle School and highlighting teacher training through Project GLAD. Sylvia Ventura Jacobson, director of multicultural programs, told the board the district is “empowering future ready students through biliteracy” and described investments in curriculum and staff training.
The Twin Oaks Elementary leadership described how the school implements a 50/50 Spanish-English dual immersion model, where students spend half the school day learning in Spanish and half in English. Angelica Barraganzu, principal of Twin Oaks Elementary School, said teachers use a “bridging” instructional strategy to connect lessons in both languages so students can apply vocabulary and sentence structures across contexts.
“GLAD classrooms are active joyful spaces,” Malia Tata, an English language development teacher and Project GLAD trainer, said, describing repeated exposures and cooperative learning strategies that support emergent bilinguals. Tata and others said the district has four certified Project GLAD trainers and has expanded training from elementary into several secondary schools.
Two Twin Oaks fifth-graders who began in the pilot dual immersion cohort described the program’s impact. Audrey Black said she started the 50/50 program in kindergarten “just a few weeks before my fifth birthday” and that being bilingual will open future opportunities, including earning the California State Seal of Biliteracy. Yvaine Garcia Martinez said learning half the day in Spanish and half in English helped her “grow up in both languages” and that she looks forward to the biliteracy seal on her high school diploma.
Superintendent Dr. Johnson and board members thanked Twin Oaks staff and students; the county office of education recently recognized Twin Oaks for biliteracy leadership, the district said. Board discussion noted teacher interest in Project GLAD certification and the district’s internal training capacity, which officials said reduces the need to contract outside services.
The presentation framed the expansion as continuity for biliteracy pathways — Twin Oaks to Woodland Park Middle and onward — and tied the work to district strategic objectives around staff capacity and college-and-career readiness. No board action was required on the report; staff said the work will continue to be implemented this year and next school year.
Twin Oaks staff and the student speakers asked the board to continue supporting dual-language pathways and professional learning so students can pursue the California State Seal of Biliteracy and other biliteracy credentials. The district also plans further outreach to families and will continue Project GLAD training across sites.
