Katy ISD students entering kindergarten in the fall will have the opportunity to apply for the district’s Two-Way Immersion program.
Program classes, comprised of native English speakers and native Spanish speakers, are conducted in both English and Spanish.
In addition to learning the regular Katy ISD curriculum, students also become bilingual, bi-literate and bi-cultural, according to the district.
The optional program is offered at Fielder and Memorial Parkway Elementary Schools, but is available to students from other Katy ISD attendance zones, if space is available.
“It’s electrifying to walk into a TWI classroom and hear and see the students learning in a language that is not their own. I’m excited that a new group of students will also have this opportunity,” said Rosie Garza, Katy ISD Instructional Officer for Bilingual Education.
The Two-Way Immersion Program is currently in its second year and students are already demonstrating success, Garza pointed out. In addition to the academic and linguistic advantages, students are benefitting from learning about different cultures.
All TWI students are expected to perform at or above grade level expectations and become fully literate in both languages by the end of fifth grade.
Interest in TWI has increased substantially in the last two years, and parent involvement has been a pivotal part of the program, according to Kathleen Collins, Katy ISD TWI program facilitator.
“The success of students in the program is touted by parents who continue to spread the word in the community. Parents of children as young as eight months have called to inquire about the waiting list,” Collins said.
In order to obtain an application for enrollment, parents are required to attend an informational session hosted by the district’s Department of Other Languages. Sessions will be held at the Educational Support Complex in Katy on March 23 at 9 a.m., March 29 at 9 a.m. and April 13 at 5:30 p.m.
Informational sessions will also be held at Memorial Parkway Elementary on March 30 at 6 p.m. and Fielder Elementary on April 6 at 7p.m.
