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Parents press to save Mandarin immersion as district postpones Vietnamese DLI launch
Summary
Parents urged the board to sustain the Mandarin dual-language immersion (DLI) program; staff reported low initial interest in a proposed Vietnamese DLI (about 11 committed families after follow-up), estimated start-up costs ($325k–$350k to $678k depending on scope) and recommended delaying a Vietnamese kindergarten program next year while offering after‑school language options and more outreach.
Anaheim — Parents asked the Anaheim Elementary School District board on April 8 to continue the Mandarin dual-language immersion (DLI) program and to pursue outreach measures after staff recommended not launching a Vietnamese DLI kindergarten next year.
"In just a couple of years, he has developed a joy for learning the language ... Moments that have created a connection across generations," Christine Trunk, a parent of a Roosevelt first grader in the Mandarin DLI program, told the board during public comment, urging a TK/kindergarten combo model to expand access.
Following public comment, staff presented demographic analysis and a short parent survey on adding Vietnamese to the district’s DLI offerings. Moreno said district census data show about 303 students across AESD list Vietnamese as their home language, with concentrations on the west side of Anaheim (Barton, Madison, Stoddard). A two-week survey returned 60 responses; staff called follow-up families and found roughly 11 families clearly committed to kindergarten enrollment next year if a Vietnamese class were offered.
Officials described typical DLI attrition patterns and enrollment targets used by the district and experts: because students leave programs over time, kindergarten cohorts generally need to start larger (district examples cited starting at 32 students) to sustain upper-grade class sizes. Staff provided a cost overview for launching a Vietnamese kindergarten: a high-end estimate of $678,000 and a more conservative operating view of roughly $325,000–$350,000 once shared district resources are accounted for. Based on enrollment projections and cost, staff recommended deferring a Vietnamese DLI kindergarten for the 2026–27 year and instead offering Vietnamese after-school language classes at key sites and continuing targeted outreach.
Board members discussed outreach strategies that could expand interest, including district multilingual-team efforts, Vietnamese radio and TV, and interdistrict outreach to families near district borders who might prefer nearby programs. Trustees also expressed concern about sustaining existing language programs (Mandarin, Korean) and requested that staff continue outreach and consider community-driven grassroots organizing to boost interest.
"If there's something that people want and they can follow through with those asks, things can get done," Trustee Juan G. Alvarez said, urging continued engagement. Trustees directed staff to continue outreach and return with additional findings; they did not approve a Vietnamese DLI launch for next year.
The matter remains under study; staff said they would pursue broader outreach, record lessons from existing DLI cohorts and report back to the board.
