During the April 27 board meeting, Gwinnett County Public Schools’ Dual Language Immersion program was highlighted for having reached an impressive milestone, as 8th grade students from the pioneer cohort of the original three schools were recognized and celebrated. To receive a Global Seal of Biliteracy Award, a student must take a test of language fluency that measures speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. The Pathway Award honored 23 students who demonstrated Intermediate-Low level language skills across all four domains. Seven DLI students received the Functional Fluency Award, given to students who demonstrated Intermediate-Mid level language skills across all four domains.
“Proficiency in multiple languages has tremendous value in today’s global economy. A Seal of Biliteracy celebrates accomplishment and certifies language proficiency in two or more languages. The Global Seal of Biliteracy enables recipients to showcase their language skills to any school or employer across state lines and national borders,’’ says Dr. Jon Valentine, Director of Dual Language Immersion and World Languages for GCPS.
Nine years ago, the Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program was launched in the school district at three elementary schools, with two schools offering Spanish and one school offering French. Today, DLI is a model program with more than 3,000 students enrolled across ten elementary schools and six middle schools with French, Korean, and Spanish being the target languages of instruction.
Valentine adds, “This accomplishment belongs to not just the students, but every single target language, English teacher, and building leader. At the board meeting, we honored DLI teachers, kindergarten through 8th grade, along with current and former school leaders who helped make this possible.”
Student recipients of the Global Seal of Biliteracy Award:
|
School |
First Name |
Last Name |
Grade |
Recognition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bay Creek Middle School |
Kellyn |
Ramsour |
8 |
Global Seal of Biliteracy: Functional Fluency |
|
Bay Creek Middle School |
Reeza |
Chagan |
8 |
Global Seal of Biliteracy Pathway Award - Intermediate Low |
|
Bay Creek Middle School |
Tristen |
King |
8 |
Global Seal of Biliteracy Pathway Award - Intermediate Low |
|
Bay Creek Middle School |
Beyonce |
Lola |
8 |
Global Seal of Biliteracy Pathway Award - Intermediate Low |
|
Bay Creek Middle School |
Paris |
Mensah |
8 |
Global Seal of Biliteracy Pathway Award - Intermediate Low |
|
Bay Creek Middle School |
Jiya |
Munroe |
8 |
Global Seal of Biliteracy Pathway Award - Intermediate Low |
|
Bay Creek Middle School |
Jeriva |
Pondo |
8 |
Global Seal of Biliteracy Pathway Award - Intermediate Low |
|
Bay Creek Middle School |
Bailey |
Ward |
8 |
Global Seal of Biliteracy Pathway Award - Intermediate Low |
|
Bay Creek Middle School |
Amadou |
Diop |
8 |
Global Seal of Biliteracy Pathway Award - Intermediate Low |
|
Bay Creek Middle School |
Dhir |
Sampat |
8 |
Global Seal of Biliteracy Pathway Award - Intermediate Low |
|
Bay Creek Middle School |
Clarisse |
Pardieu |
8 |
Global Seal of Biliteracy Pathway Award - Intermediate Low |
|
Bay Creek Middle School |
Gabriel |
Fernandes DeSousa |
8 |
Global Seal of Biliteracy Pathway Award - Intermediate Low |
|
Bay Creek Middle School |
Anderson |
Burge |
8 |
Global Seal of Biliteracy Pathway Award - Intermediate Low |
|
Shiloh Middle School |
Ephratah |
Asfaw |
8 |
Global Seal of Biliteracy: Functional Fluency |
|
Shiloh Middle School |
Jennifer |
Castaneda |
8 |
Global Seal of Biliteracy: Functional Fluency |
|
Shiloh Middle School |
Fatima |
Melendez-Garcia |
8 |
Global Seal of Biliteracy: Functional Fluency |
|
Shiloh Middle School |
Isaiah |
Wilson |
8 |
Global Seal of Biliteracy: Functional Fluency |
|
Shiloh Middle School |
Shakayah |
Watson |
8 |
Global Seal of Biliteracy: Functional Fluency |
|
Shiloh Middle School |
Jasmine |
Cruz |
8 |
Global Seal of Biliteracy Pathway Award - Intermediate Low |
|
Shiloh Middle School |
Faisal |
Mohammed |
8 |
Global Seal of Biliteracy Pathway Award - Intermediate Low |
|
Shiloh Middle School |
Rosemary |
Moreno-Garcia |
8 |
Global Seal of Biliteracy Pathway Award - Intermediate Low |
|
Shiloh Middle School |
Frida |
Pena Munoz |
8 |
Global Seal of Biliteracy Pathway Award - Intermediate Low |
|
Shiloh Middle School |
Elijah |
Torres |
8 |
Global Seal of Biliteracy Pathway Award - Intermediate Low |
|
Sweetwater Middle School |
Fernando |
Ventura |
8 |
Global Seal of Biliteracy: Functional Fluency |
|
Sweetwater Middle School |
Amilcar |
Ancheta |
8 |
Global Seal of Biliteracy Pathway Award - Intermediate Low |
|
Sweetwater Middle School |
Johan |
Ardila-Martinez |
8 |
Global Seal of Biliteracy Pathway Award - Intermediate Low |
|
McConnell Middle School |
Zoe |
Ford |
8 |
Global Seal of Biliteracy Pathway Award - Intermediate Low |
|
Sweetwater Middle School |
Andrea |
Fuentes-Tobar |
8 |
Global Seal of Biliteracy Pathway Award - Intermediate Low |
|
Sweetwater Middle School |
Jonathan |
Herrera |
8 |
Global Seal of Biliteracy Pathway Award - Intermediate Low |
|
Sweetwater Middle School |
Tracy |
Tran |
8 |
Global Seal of Biliteracy Pathway Award - Intermediate Low |
To learn more about the Global Seal of Biliteracy award, click here.