Close

HCISD adds three Dual Language campuses for the 2013 – 2014 school year

DLA

The Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District will expand its Dual Language Academy to include three more campuses during the 2013 – 2014 school year.

In Fall 2013, Dual Language Academies will be launched at Sam Houston Elementary, Lamar Elementary and Wilson Elementary. These campuses will accompany Ben Milam Elementary and Lee Means Elementary, which were introduced as Dual Language campuses during the 2012 – 2013 School year.

“It is our district’s priority to keep our students at the forefront of a global economy and provide them with the means for success in the 21st century,” said Superintendent Dr. Steve Flores. “The ability to speak multiple languages is indeed a highlight for our students. As demographics continue to change in our state and nation, it is important for us to remain dedicated to adapting to these changes for the benefit of our students’ futures.”

The Sam Houston campus will also see Ginger Armstrong appointed as its principal.

“I look forward to meeting and working with the staff, parents, and students at Sam Houston Elementary to continue towards excellence in our district,” said Armstrong. “The implementation of a Dual Language Academy at Sam Houston Elementary is very exciting.  It is a great opportunity for our community’s children, and furthers our district’s mission and goals.”

Previously the principal of Treasure Hills Elementary, Armstrong has spent more than 10 years at HCISD. During that time, she’s also served the district for three years as the assistant principal of Lee Means Elementary, and as a teacher and instructional facilitator at Long Elementary.

Armstrong joins Lamar Principal Daniel Garza and Wilson Principal Kristi David as principals at Dual Language Academy campuses.

Garza has been the Principal at Lamar Elementary since 2006, and has served the district for more than 15 years. He previously served as the Assistant Principal at Lamar, and a counselor Harlingen High School South.

David has been with HCISD since 1994, working at Memorial, Vernon and Vela middle schools as a GT facilitator and a science teacher. She previously spent five years as an Assistant Principal at Dr. Rodriguez Elementary.

The district’s Dual Language Academies utilize an educational approach that allows native English and native Spanish speaking students to work together and progressively master both English and Spanish by integrating the languages into their curriculum. By the end of fifth grade students will academically be at grade level and equally proficient in English and Spanish.

To enroll, students must meet the requirements of being an incoming Pre-K or Kindergarten student, be an English language learner zoned to a Dual Language campus, be a Native English or Native Spanish speaking student zoned to a Dual Language campus.

For more information on how to enroll please contact Ben Milam Elementary at 956.427.3150,Lee. H Means Elementary at 956.427.3377, Sam Houston Elementary at 956.427.3110, Lamar Elementary at 956.427.3130 and Wilson Elementary at 956.427.3190.

One thought on “HCISD adds three Dual Language campuses for the 2013 – 2014 school year

  1. I’m happy to hear that more elementary schools will be having dual language for their students. I am however, saddened to hear that not all campuses will be offering this same learning opportunity to the rest of the students in the Harlingen ISD. PLEASE bring this up in your meetings if possible. We need to give ALL our students the same opportunities regardless of which campus they attend.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *