Parent Information

 

Brainstormers Mandarin Classes for Parents of Mandarin Immersion Students


A Brainstormers Mandarin class is specifically designed for parents of students in the Cherokee Mandarin Immersion Program. Miss Christina Chen, District 67 Elementary Mandarin teacher, will host these sessions to immerse parents in the Mandarin language and program currently offered at Cherokee School. This class will provide parents with a greater understanding and comfort of what their children are experiencing during their school day. Space is limited so please sign up early.

 

For more information, click here to download the flyer

 

Mandarin Classes for Students in Grades 2 and 3

 

Brainstormers is also offering a Mandarin class specifically designed for students in grades 2 and 3 who have not had experience in Mandarin but are interested in a mini-immersion experience. Miss Christina Chen, District 67 Mandarin teacher, will host these sessions to help introduce students to the Mandarin language and culture through this fun class. Students from Everett and Cherokee are invited as well.

 

For more information, click here to download the flyer

 

Highlights from the February Board of Education Meeting

 

  1. We have 40 kindergarten students and 31 first graders enrolled in our 50/50 Mandarin Immersion Program. Only one student has left the program by moving out of state. A recent parent survey showed very high satisfaction with the program. When our parents were asked if they would recommend the immersion program to others, 96% responded that they would be ‘Extremely Likely’ or ‘Very Likely’ to do so.

  2. Our Assessment Specialist, Joe Malin analyzed the regular assessments that our schools administer to all kindergarten and first graders in reading and mathematics. His excellent report is attached, but in a nutshell:

 

    • Both Mandarin and non-Mandarin groups of students in kindergarten and first grade are currently on target with achievement and growth in reading and mathematics.

    • No significant differences in winter achievement or fall-to-winter growth were found between Mandarin and non-Mandarin classes

    • Immersion research suggests that reading achievement in English may lag slightly in the first few school years and then catch up by grade three. However, our Mandarin students are not lagging: they are showing similar achievement and growth in English reading (and mathematics) to non-Mandarin students.

  1. We have 33 kindergartners registered for 2012-2013 or two classes of 16 and 17. We expect this to increase slightly before school begins.

  2. Use this link to view the short Prezi (on-line presentation) that we used in our meeting:
    http://prezi.com/4c1k0nouut_e/mandarin-immersion-mid-year-update/

  3. Our recent award of the Illinois State Board of Education Implementation Grant ($150,000 over three years), will allow us to offset teacher salaries, purchase a wealth of materials, develop curriculum, and provide staff development. The availability of grant money for Mandarin programs was an important factor in choosing between Mandarin and Spanish for our initial immersion program. We are pleased that to date the district has been granted $182, 000 to further develop its Mandarin instruction.