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District celebrates 10 years of 'Juntos' bilingual program, board seeks evaluation and expansion input
Summary
Director of curriculum Cristina Valentine presented a 10‑year summary of the K–8 Juntos bilingual program, noting enrollment increases and demographic changes; parents urged more transparency, data on reclassification rates and broader access to the program.
Cristina Valentine, director of curriculum, told the board that the Juntos bilingual initiative — now in its 10th year — has increased enrollments and produced bilingual, biliterate students in participating schools.
Valentine summarized the program’s history and data trends and said the district will pursue an evaluation and a formal plan for next steps: "Hoy este programa es para niños del ticket al 8º grado..." she told the board, outlining goals to measure student success in both Spanish and English. The presentation noted demographic shifts and increases in bilingual staff and recommended maintaining supports and funding for the program.
Parents at the meeting praised the program’s cultural and academic benefits and urged clearer communication and transparency. Parent Alison Joe said the program delivered intangible community benefits: "hay 100 por 101 valor para este en ese programa," while Verónica Conrad, a parent with multiple children in Juntos, said, "Nos encanta el programa, nos encanta la comunidad." Speakers asked for more data on reclassification rates and math outcomes and requested a standing advisory committee that includes families, students and staff.
Board members agreed to collect further data, consider an advisory committee and return with a timeline for evaluation and potential expansion. Staff said interim materials and pilot steps on curriculum adoption would be coordinated with school leaders and families.
