Cyndi Loza

A new language immersion program aims to make local students bilingual and biliterate.

It will be the first program of its kind within the Washoe County School District’s public schools. Classes will include 50 percent English speakers who have no or limited Spanish proficiency skills and 50 percent Spanish speakers who have no or limited English skills.

The program will provide instruction in both languages while encouraging cultural awareness in the process. It’s available to kindergartners at Jessie Beck Elementary School and prekindergartners at Mount Rose Elementary School.

The Jessie Beck program still has space for three more Spanish-speaking students. Spaces for English-speaking students are filled. The Mount Rose program was introduced Wednesday.

“We feel that nowadays, we have a diverse community, and it’s more important than ever to provide our students with that broad perspective,” said Fátima Rivas, Hispanic liaison specialist for the Washoe County School District. “I hope at some point all of our schools will follow their lead.”

Mary Ann Robinson, the district’s English as a Second Language coordinator, said the program also will assist Spanish speakers who can speak Spanish orally but need help with their literacy.

“We’re really excited,” Robinson said. “Research has shown there is improved academic achievement for children who are fully bilingual and biliterate.”

The program plans to follow the students through their elementary school education, alternating between Spanish and English instruction every week.

The students’ success will be measured through exams.

Parent Kelly Vogel of southwest Reno said she is incredibly fortunate to have her daughter, Sophia, 5, enrolled in the Jessie Beck program, which will begin in August.

“It’s kind of like investing in an extra little education for your future,” Vogel said. “In the workplace (for example), if you speak a different language, like Spanish, it’s a huge advantage.”

One of the district’s charter schools, the Mariposa Academy of Language and Learning in southeast Reno, also offers a bilingual education in English and Spanish for students in kindergarten through sixth grade.