Fremont School parents recently learned that our Dual Immersion Spanish program will have a 4th and 5th grade combination class in the upcoming academic year. We are concerned that this change would significantly diminish the quality of education our children receive and the overall effectiveness of the Dual Immersion program. 

While combo classes are rarely ideal, they are especially challenging in a Dual Immersion setting.  A key part of Dual Immersion instruction in these grades is “bridging.” Bridging is when teachers help students connect learning from one language to the other. Some skills transfer between English and Spanish, but many do not. Teachers have to explicitly teach students what is the same, what is different, and how to use academic vocabulary in both languages. While especially important in reading and writing, it's also necessary in math, science, and social studies. 

In a 4/5 combo DI class, the teacher would not simply be teaching two grade levels. They would be teaching two grade levels across two languages, while also bridging instruction between those languages for both grades. That is a much heavier lift than a traditional combo class, and it raises serious concerns about whether students would receive the depth of instruction needed to become truly biliterate. 

Furthermore, it may affect teacher retention, student outcomes, and families' trust in the Dual Immersion program. After all, instead of learning 100%  English as Kindergartners, we parents signed our kids up to learn only 10% English, trusting that they would catch up in later grades, particularly in 4th grade, when English and Spanish are taught 50/50. 

In light of these concerns, we respectfully urge the district to reconsider the decision to implement a 4th and 5th grade combination class for the Dual Immersion program. We believe that separate classes for each grade level will better serve our children, the teachers, and the school community.