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Students report on events; senior shares dual-language study with Wenatchee board
Summary
Westside ASB co-president Leila recapped prom, a fundraising spaghetti feed that raised over $7,000, and upcoming graduation; senior Amelia McAllister presented a directed study on immersive language acquisition and urged caution about overusing pre-translated materials in general-education classes.
WENATCHEE, Wash.
At its May 26 meeting the Wenatchee School District board heard student reports and a directed-study presentation from a graduating senior on dual-language learning.
Leila, Westside co-president, told trustees about a recent "adulting" event covered by NCW Life and the Wenatchee World, a disco-themed prom (May 9) with donated DJ services and a $500 dinner contribution from Sage Hills so students could attend free. She said the leadership club's spaghetti feed on May 15 raised "over $7,000" to help a family with treatment costs, thanked community donors and reminded the board that Westside graduation is scheduled for Tuesday, June 10 at 7 p.m. at the Town Toyota Center (doors open 6 p.m.).
Senior Amelia McAllister presented the findings of a directed study on language acquisition. She described learning Spanish through immersive, peer-to-peer interaction after one semester of formal Spanish and noted she earned a seal of biliteracy in German and English earlier in high school. After about nine months of immersive practice she reported STAMP exam scores that met the district's biliteracy standard (she reported a reading score of 7 and additional scores she listed as 6, 5 and 6).
Amelia argued that connection between students matters for language learning and said routine teacher practices that pre-translate worksheets or group non-native English speakers separately can reduce authentic immersion and unintentionally create barriers. She closed by saying, "A foreign accent is a sign of bravery." Trustees praised her initiative, asked a few personal questions and one member offered to present a graduation stole at a future meeting.
No board action was taken on the presentations; the student remarks were received as informational.
