“It’s kind of hard because they put you in a class and the teacher’s already speaking a different language,” Briz said. Under the state model, bilingual instruction begins in first grade with instruction in all subjects divided between English and the language of choice. I’m seeing students learning and pushing themselves and also embracing differences that maybe they wouldn’t have been exposed to otherwise.” “Being in an immersion classroom, you can’t feel anything other than joy. “We have thousands and thousands of kids in the program,” Fuller said. Marybeth Fuller, the Washington County School District dual immersion coordinator, said that there are 11 elementary schools offering dual immersion programs in the district: five teach Mandarin, four teach Spanish and two teach Portuguese. The elementary school follows the Utah State Board of Education model for dual-immersion, which means students spend half their day in English and the other half in the school’s language of choice. “There’s a rich history in the dual immersion program at this school that no other school (in Utah) has had,” Harrah said. George, Utah, Ap| Photo by Ammon Teare, St. Irene Bernal engages her second grade students in a math lesson, St. The state of Utah implemented a standard for dual immersion programs in 2009, and Paradise Canyon slowly transitioned to match the statewide model in the years following. In 2006, Paradise Canyon – then called Dixie Downs Elementary School – was the first school in the area to implement a dual immersion program. ‘The beginning is hard, but then it’s amazing’ Jesus Fernandez Gonzalez, the minister of education for the Spanish Embassy in the United States. “I thank the school for its participation in the contest and its exceptional work in favor of the dissemination of the Spanish language and culture among its students and the community in general,” wrote Dr. In its announcement detailing Paradise Canyon’s selection, the Spanish Ministry of Education cited the elementary’s status as a school of excellence, the quality of the teacher’s instruction, the services available to low-income families and the abundance of bilingual resources and materials. Our dual immersion program is one of the biggest and, I would say, the best.”īesides Briz, other teachers involved in the application process included Merced Carreon, Irene Bernal, Diana Welch and Maria Gonzalez, along with Paradise Canyon Principal Susan Harrah and Title I director Eliza Maravilla. We also wanted to show the support from the district and the state. “We wanted to show off our school and the kids and all the hard work we do. “I called my parents in Spain and my friends straight away just to tell them, ‘We won!’” Briz said. Elena Briz, a third grade teacher, was overjoyed when she found out they’d won. George Newsįive dual immersion teachers at Paradise Canyon tracked student progress, demonstrated teaching methods and prepared a community presentation to submit as part of the application process.
The five dual-immersion teachers involved in the application process sit in front of Principal Susan Harrah and Title 1 Coordinator Eliza Maravilla, St. The recognition was bestowed by the Ministry of Education of the Embassy of Spain, and Paradise Canyon was honored as the best elementary school in the country. GEORGE - Paradise Canyon Elementary School has won a 2021 School of the Year award for its Spanish-language dual immersion program. Be sure to take a break from golfing, though, and visit other area attractions, including the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden, the Southern Alberta Art Gallery, the Galt Museum, Waterton Lakes National Park, Glacier National Park and Banff National Park.ST. Protected by the hills and cliffs of the river, Paradise Canyon is an oasis in southern Alberta, with "heart-pounding" fairways and unmatched vistas. The resort's biggest draw, however, is its championship course. On-site amenities include a restaurant with an outdoor terrace, a sparkling swimming pool with a spectacular view of the mountains and plenty of poolside seating, a hot tub, fitness center, tennis courts, driving range, and a putting green, ideal for practicing your swing.
PARADISE CANYON FULL
Paradise Canyon's studio units and one- and two-bedroom golf villas are elegantly appointed with full kitchens, numerous televisions and beautiful fireplaces, perfect for taking the chill off the cool Canadian nights. This resort offers a seven-month golf season, and its course falls within the top four percent in Canada. Resort overview Paradise Canyon Golf Resort sits on the banks of the Old Man River in a secluded canyon just outside of Lethbridge, Alberta.