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Manatee Schools Highlight Hispanic Heritage and Dual-Language Program as Enrollment Nears 40% Hispanic
Summary
District staff outlined Hispanic Heritage Month activities, state requirements for classroom instruction, and the district's growing dual-language program operating at four schools.
The School Board of Manatee County heard a presentation on Oct. 7 about the district's Hispanic Heritage Month activities and its dual-language instruction.
Deb Estes, director of ESOL and dual-language programs, told the board that Florida statute (section 1003.42) requires instruction related to cultural observances and that the state had circulated contests and awards tied to Hispanic Heritage Month. “One of the reasons Hispanic heritage is so important in Manatee County is that nearly, nearly 40% of our student body are Hispanic students,” Estes said.
Estes described three student contests promoted by the state — an essay contest for grades 4–12, an art contest for grades K–3, and a teacher recognition award — and said the district posts the opportunities for teachers and families and promotes them through curriculum coordinators and Schoology.
She highlighted schools that held or planned events, including Braden River Elementary and Lee Middle School, and said some schools ran decorating contests and dual-language performances. Estes said the district's dual-language model has classrooms in which students spend roughly half the day in a Spanish-speaking environment and half the day in an English-speaking environment, mixing native Spanish and English speakers.
Staff and board members noted that dual-language students historically show strong outcomes as they move through the system. The district reported the program currently operates at Pine Elementary, Dodge Elementary, Palmetto Elementary and Braden River Elementary.
Ending: The district encouraged families and teachers to participate in state contests and said it would continue promoting dual-language and bilingual programming, including public showcases and school-level events.
