Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Enrollment Discipline topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Venetia Valley principal credits DLI program for enrollment gains, flags higher suspensions
Summary
Venetia Valley School reported rising enrollment driven by its dual‑language immersion (DLI) program and described small but growing suspension rates; the principal outlined prevention steps such as Saturday school, student ambassadors and expanded family engagement.
Armando Ocillera (speaker 12) presented an overview of Venetia Valley School to the board, highlighting demographics, program strengths and a modest increase in suspensions this year.
Ocillera said Venetia Valley’s student population is 87% Latino versus 71.3% for the district elementary average and described the DLI dual‑language immersion program as a major draw. "Our DLI program is a huge pool for, families in our area," he said, noting plans to expand DLI classes by adding a fourth-grade class next year and eventually two sections per grade in K–5 as cohorts matriculate.
Suspensions and response: Ocillera gave comparative suspension figures: last year the school logged ten elementary and 14 middle‑school suspensions totaling 51 days (data through last year’s comparable date). He said this year the site had one more elementary suspension and two more middle‑school suspensions, and that school leaders are pursuing preventative steps including growth in clubs and leadership opportunities, a student‑ambassadors program, introduction of TAs in classrooms, "counselor chats" for parent outreach, and alternatives to out‑of‑school suspensions such as Saturday school and in‑house suspensions.
Trustees asked about alternatives such as peer or youth court and bilingual staffing for the DLI program. Ocillera said Saturday school and in‑house alternatives are used for lower‑level infractions and that recruiting teachers with bilingual authorization (BCLAD/Bilingual Authorization) is an ongoing staffing consideration.
Provenance: Venetia Valley presentation and Q&A (SEG 505–936).
