Springfield schools offering dual language program
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (WDTN) — A local school district is expanding access for young students to learn both English and Spanish at the same time.
The Springfield City School District will offer their Spanish-English Dual Language Program to kindergarten, first and second grade students for the 2025-2026 school year. For parents interested in their children learning two languages simultaneously, this is a program to consider.
Springfield schools say the program will be housed at Perrin Woods Elementary. Students will learn to speak, read and write in both Spanish and English.
Registration begins April 1 and closes April 15 at 5 p.m. Due to demand, students will be entered into a lottery to determine who will be accepted into the program. Click here to learn how to apply.
Students who were enrolled this school year will automatically be promoted within the program and do not have to go through the lottery process.
Springfield schools will host an informational meeting on Thursday, March 20 at 5:30 p.m. The meeting is virtual — click here to learn more.
For questions and inquiries, parents can email duallanguage@scsdoh.org.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Howard Library's Project Literacy celebrates dozens who learned English, obtained citizenship, earned high school diploma
When she came to America from Guatemala 38 years ago, Susana Rodriguez didn't know how to read — not even in her native language of Spanish. But after two years in the Howard County Library System's Project Literacy program, Rodriguez can now speak, read and write proficiently in English. Rodriguez was one of about 50 adult English language learners who were celebrated Thursday at Miller Branch Library for receiving a National External High School Diploma, or obtaining American citizenship, or successfully completing the Project Literacy program. Founded in Howard County in 1987, Project Literacy offers free classes and one-on-one tutoring sessions to help students learn English, obtain citizenship, improve work skills or receive a high school diploma . President and CEO of Howard County Library System Tonya Aikens said more than 13,000 English language learners have participated in the 'life-changing' program. 'There's never a dry eye at every single graduation,' Aikens said. 'It's just incredible to hear the sacrifice that these adults are making.' The program's graduation is paid for by the Friends and Foundation of HCLS, board member and Treasurer Ellen Flynn Giles said. The Friends group is a nonprofit organization with a mission to support Howard County libraries. 'This is a real milestone that's not simply a ceremony — it's a crowning achievement,' Flynn Giles said. 'It's a mark of their mental commitment and dedication. Most people were taking these classes at night after working during the day.' Lakeisha Hancock said she moved to Columbia with her four kids — Kira, Maurice, Diamond, and Jamal — to give them the best education she could so they could be successful. The former Baltimore City resident hadn't yet finished high school, so she joined the Project Literacy program. On Thursday she celebrated earning the National External High School Diploma. Hancock said setting an example for her children was her primary reason for completing the diploma — she wanted her children to know that 'they could do it, too' despite any obstacles they may encounter, and that 'the sky's the limit.' Thirteen other honorees received diplomas: Marco Tulio Benitez Jose Martin Contreras Carmelita Findlay Jacobs Kisha Lyne Kelly Yeonhee Kim Varsha Makwana Anderson Osmin Diaz Martinez Arturo Ernesto Martinez Norma Molina Michael Pettengill Johnny Trejo-Garcia Rania Refaat Abdelhafez Shaban Mike Minsup Shin The program is run by volunteers, Aikens said, who all have bachelor's degrees and choose to give their time each week to work one-on-one with students. Nancy Schear, Rodriguez's tutor, said she worked with Rodriguez on every aspect of learning the English language, from learning her ABCs for the first time to being able to write and send texts without any assistance to her two daughters, one of whom is a nurse in Columbia and one of whom is a student at a Baltimore university. Each tutor who had a student in attendance was also recognized at the ceremony for the time they volunteered. More than half the tutors celebrated multiple students who were graduating. Cindy Fitzpatrick, Hancock's coach, said there were no obstacles that could sway Hancock's determination to finish the program, calling her a 'superhero.' 'Perseverance is not just a skill, it's an art,' Hancock said. 'And because of that one word, we are the Class of 2025.' Have a news tip? Contact Kat Mauser at kmauser@
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Replica 1738 fort in Florida a tribute to first free Black community
ORLANDO, Fla. — 'Viva Mose!' shouted the crowd of dignitaries, state park rangers and community members gathered at Fort Mose Historic State Park near St. Augustine on a sunny Friday in early May. The chant — translated as 'Long live Fort Mose!' — celebrated the ribbon cutting of a newly constructed replica of a 1738 fort that holds a special place in America's Black history. In 1738, the Spanish governor of Florida chartered the settlement of Fort Mose as a refuge for those fleeing slavery from English colonies in the Carolinas. Over several decades, an estimated 100 Africans made the first legally sanctioned free Black community in the pre-Constitution United States their home and safe haven from British rule. 'The reconstruction stands as a tribute to the courageous men and women who founded Fort Mose in 1738, ensuring their legacy lives on,' said Charles Ellis, the president of the Fort Mose Historical Society. 'By bringing this fort back to life, we enhance our ability to tell the story through on-site events, group tours, lectures and virtual seminars. Because of this, no longer will our fourth and fifth-grade students ask, 'Where is the fort?'' The reconstruction was made possible due to extensive research of the site that began in the 1970s and 1980s with efforts spearheaded by Dr. Kathleen Deagan, a University of Florida professor of archaeology, anthropology and history, and Dr. Jane Landers, a professor of history at Vanderbilt University. Financial support for the project came from public and private sources, including the Florida State Parks, St. Johns County, Florida Power and Light, Wells Fargo, the Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation, the Florida State Parks Foundation and more, who all fundraised a total of $3.2 million to turn this dream into reality. 'The reconstruction of the Fort Mose has been a labor of love, dedication and unwavering commitment which began in 2012,' Ellis said. 'When we broke ground on the reconstruction of Fort Mose, we didn't just build walls. We created a tribute to the resiliency and determination of freedom seekers who made the first legally sanctioned free Black settlement in North America possible.' In addition to exploring an indoor museum with a timeline of Fort Mose and St. Augustine history, visitors can now walk through a full-scale replica of the 39-foot-tall lookout tower that helped residents of the fort monitor for enemy attacks. Reenactors will help illuminate history and help visitors imagine what life was like in the 1730s during special events and tours complete with drills, pageantry and cannon firing. Construction on the replica fort began in January 2024, 30 years after the site was designated as a national historic landmark. Chuck Hatcher, director of the Florida State Parks, said collaboration is what made this project come to fruition. 'Archaeologists, CSOs, volunteers, park staff, division staff, artists and public officials have all worked together to make this project come to fruition,' he said. 'I would like to think if the people who were the original members of Fort Mose were here, they would be proud of what we've done and the representation of what they had.' While there is no blueprint for how to build a replica 1738 fort, the design was put together with the goal of being as authentic as possible while staying mindful of Florida's climate. The palisade walls and structural support beams that hold up the fort are made to look like wood but are constructed of concrete. Now, state park officials and volunteers who helped this project come together are celebrating the story of courage, resilience and freedom that the fort helps tell. 'Nearly 300 years after Fort Mose stood as a beacon to freedom seekers, it will stand again and be a testament to the power of freedom, bravery and the human spirit,' said Kathleen Brennan, president of the Florida State Parks Foundation. 'May this fort last 300 years and beyond to honor those who made their living here and to inspire visitors from all over the world, who will come here to experience what can only be found here at Fort Mose.' _________ Fort Mose Historic State Park Admission to park grounds is free. To enter the visitor center there is a $2 fee per adult. Children under 6 are admitted for free. Open every day from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Located at 15 Fort Mose Trail in St. Augustine; 904-823-2232; __________
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Outstanding secondary school in deprived area which is among Birmingham's best
A secondary school located in one of Birmingham's most deprived areas has been named as one of the city's best following a glowing Ofsted inspection. The E-ACT Heartlands Academy has been rated outstanding in all four key areas assessed by inspectors in a rare achievement - especially for an inner-city high school. The academy is based in Nechells, one of the more deprived areas of the city - and that naturally brings more challenges for teachers. READ MORE: Latest Midlands Ofsted ratings as three top schools 'outstanding' in all areas Get our local newsletters like Black Country News, MySolihull and MySuttonColdfield straight to your inbox But Heartlands has more than risen to those challenges. In fact, the school has continually defied the odds, having been ranked among the best for years now. Crucially, Ofsted says "disadvantaged pupils achieve as highly as their peers". It may have been an anxious time for leaders eager to maintain that reputation as Ofsted returned for a new full inspection in March, the first in over a decade during which time things could have changed. But they needn't have worried. The results have now been published and the school was once again graded as outstanding across the board - achieving a perfect score. Ofsted's grading system has changed since their last visit to the Great Francis Street school. Rather than a single one-word overall grade, the watchdog now rates secondaries in the following four areas: quality of education; behaviour and attitudes; personal development; leadership and management. The school, which has over 800 pupils, was graded outstanding in all of these areas. Ofsted said in its report: "Pupils enjoy school. They know that when they walk through the school gates they are safe and surrounded by people who want them to succeed and be happy. "Pupils understand the school's expectations of their behaviour and meet these, as they want to play their part in the school's harmonious culture. They show respect, and often kindness, in their interactions with peers and staff." The report continued: "The school has a clear commitment to academic excellence and equips pupils with the knowledge and skills they need for future success. "This is realised through its ambitious curriculum, which is accessed successfully by all pupils. Pupils achieve strong outcomes. "For example, impressively high numbers of pupils secure the English and mathematics qualifications they need for their future learning. Disadvantaged pupils achieve as highly as their peers."