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Parents and students press SFUSD for Spanish bilingual TK at Guadalupe Elementary
Summary
Students, teachers and parents from Guadalupe Elementary urged the board to create a Spanish‑English bilingual transitional kindergarten at their campus, citing a wait list, available bilingual teacher candidates, and lost Spanish‑language therapies for some students.
Students and parents from Guadalupe Elementary addressed the Board of Education during public comment, calling for a Spanish‑English bilingual transitional kindergarten (TK) at their school. One student said the school needs more reading support and bilingual programming so "we don't want to lose our culture," while a parent noted a petition and 200 signatures backing the request.
"For many years, we have been asking for a bilingual teacher for our TK classroom," parent and organizer Blanca Catalan told the board, adding that families have collected signatures to demonstrate "the urgent need for Spanish English bilingual TK program in our community." Teacher Julie Carnilla said Guadalupe currently has an English‑only TK and that none of her Spanish‑bilingual kindergarten students attended TK, leaving them at an academic disadvantage.
Speakers gave concrete figures to support the request: parents said 30 students applied for a bilingual TK this year at Guadalupe, 20 were accepted and 10 were placed on a waiting list. One parent described losing Spanish‑language therapy for her daughter after a transfer, saying that change set the child back academically and socially and urged the district to restore services locally.
Board members acknowledged the public comments and directed staff follow up through existing Q&A resources and the enrollment center processes. The superintendent's office previously noted that wait list offers are made weekly beginning April 20 and that families will receive notices by email, text and robocall when a placement is available. Staff did not commit to an immediate program change during public comment; follow‑up requests and petitions were presented to the board for consideration.
