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Urbana SD 116 outlines multilingual program growth and community supports for immigrant students
Summary
District presenters reported about 1,037 multilingual students (roughly 25% of enrollment), an increase to about 53 languages represented, and described new bilingual programming, family‑liaison outreach, legal and mental‑health partnerships, and a rapid response network to assist unaccompanied minors.
Madia Rakonei, a multilingual department staff member, told the Urbana School District 116 board the district now counts about 1,037 multilingual students, roughly a quarter of the district’s approximately 4,200 students, and that the number of languages represented has risen to about 53.
Rakonei said early‑childhood programming expanded this year to five sections of Spanish bilingual instruction and that district staff are working to certify more bilingual and ESL‑endorsed teachers. “We want students’ languages and cultures to be affirmed while they develop English literacy,” she said.
Lucia, one of the…
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