The Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD (C-FB ISD) is offering a Two Way Dual Language Program to students who will be entering Kindergarten in the fall of 2012. C-FB ISD launched the Two Way Dual Language Program in the fall of 2006. This program offers the opportunity for native English speakers and native Spanish speakers to learn to read, write and speak in both languages. From Kindergarten through the fourth grade, students in the Two Way Dual Language Program develop strong literacy skills in both English and Spanish.

Students entering Kindergarten in the fall of 2012 may request to participate in the program at Stark, McWhorter or Thompson Elementary. McWhorter Elementary will be a new Two-Way campus as of Feb. 2012. The Two-Way campus will schedule testing from Apr. 16 – May 2012. The process includes an English fluency test. Acceptance into the Two Way Dual Language Program is limited to the space and availability. Parents are asked to agree to a three year commitment or more to the Two Way Dual Language Program upon acceptance into the program.

Important Information Regarding Transferring into the Two Way Dual Language Program:

Purpose

• Allow English dominant children into the Two-Way Dual (Bilingual) Kindergarten class.
• Allow Spanish dominant children into the Two-Way Dual (Bilingual) Kindergarten class.
• Provide an opportunity for students in the class to become truly proficient in both English and Spanish.
• Provide learning activities that include learning about different cultures.

Application  requirements for admission are

• Students entering Kindergarten in the fall of 2012 may apply to participate in the program.
• Each non-Spanish speaking Kindergarten student must score Fluent on the English Woodcock-Muñoz Language Survey test (WMLS).
• Enrollment is based on space availability.

Procedure English Dominant

1. Parent goes to McWhorter, Thompson or Stark Elementary to verify attendance.
• The TW campus will verify attendance zone and schedule testing.
• Parent takes child to Testing Center at scheduled appointment date and time.
2. If student scores Fluent on the English WMLS, the parent takes documentation of test scores and permission forms to McWhorter, Stark or Thompson Elementary to enroll student.
3. All regular school transfer procedures will apply to other members of the family who may wish to transfer.

Procedure for Spanish Dominant Bilingual

1. Parents should request transfer from their Bilingual campus principal.
2. Bilingual campus should check availability openings from McWhorter, Stark or Thompson Elementary
3. Contact Dr. Isabella Piña-Hinojosa at: hinojosai@cfbisd.edu for guidance
4. All regular school transfer procedures will apply to other members of the family who may wish to transfer.
5. Parent goes to the new campus to enroll the student.

Placement

1. Will be based on the availability and/or until seats are filled on a first-come first-served basis.
2. Cut-off date to transfer into the Two Way Dual Language Program is October 1, 2012.
3. This program is for English dominant students entering Kindergarten only.
4. This program for Bilingual Spanish speakers is available if openings exist in grades K-5th for the 2012-2013 school year.

Transportation
Transportation to and from the new school is provided by the parent(s).

McWHORTER ELEMENTARY, STARK ELEMENTARY and THOMPSON ELEMENTARY will host the district’s Two Way Dual Language Programs for the 2012-2013 School Year. 

For more information, contact Dr. Piña-Hinojosa in the Bilingual-ESL Department at 972-968-6149 or at hinojosai@cfbisd.edu.

You may also contact Stark Elementary 972-968-3300 or Thompson Elementary 972-968-3400.