Fairfield, CA - On Friday, May 17, 2024, the B. Gale Wilson Middle School community came together to celebrate a significant milestone: the completion of the ninth year of the Dual Immersion program by its eighth-grade students. The event, held in the B. Gale Wilson Multi-Purpose Room, marked a proud moment for families, staff, and teachers who have supported and nurtured these biliterate students.
The Dual Immersion program, which began in 1995 at Crescent Elementary, has flourished over the years. It now encompasses transitional kindergarten (TK) and elementary classes at Sullivan Language Immersion Academy, with secondary education continuing at B. Gale Wilson. This unique program, the only one of its kind in the district, emphasizes bilingual proficiency in both English and Spanish, preparing students for academic excellence and a multilingual future.
"The students and families alike work hard to see the program to completion. It's a continued reflection of the sense of community that is built over time as these students strive for academic success," remarked Wendy Madueño, a Secondary Dual Immersion Teacher. “It is a great honor to be part of the program and to be able to recognize everyone's effort who have been part of the education of the students in the dual immersion program.”
Eighth-grade student Mayahuel Correa expressed gratitude, saying, "Thank you to the teachers of B. Gale Wilson and now Sullivan, for giving us new opportunities and friendships over the years.”
Makaya de la Cruz, an eighth-grade Dual Immersion student and Student of the Year, reflected on the personal impact of the program: "Over the past few years, I have learned a lot through my education and experiences. Being able to grow up learning more about my culture and its language made me feel so connected to my family. It’s such a gift to be able to learn two languages at the same time. I am forever glad that I joined this program because, in a way, it was like having another family."
Principal Mirel Rivera praised the event saying, "The 8th grade Dual Immersion celebration is always a wonderful event, recognizing the students' and families' commitment to bilingualism. Empowering our students with this skill is invaluable as we prepare them for the real world."
The event was a joyful recognition of the hard work and dedication of these biliterate eighth graders, highlighting the importance and success of the Dual Immersion program within the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District.