Most people would probably like to speak a second language, for practical reasons or just to enjoy the ability to communicate with more people. And there is little doubt that languages are easier to learn at a young age.
Residents of Hollister will soon have a unique opportunity to get their children on the road to mastering another language. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (Monterey and Seventh streets) will open Little Bridges/Los Puentecitos Bilingual Preschool at the beginning of the 2014 academic year.
The leadership of St. Luke’s has a long commitment to educating the youth of Hollister:
• For more than 15 years, it has provided space for a Montessori preschool in the building adjacent to the century-old landmark Carpenter Gothic church near downtown.
• For three years, the parish has operated a successful afterschool tutoring academy for Hollister students.
• In addition to Sunday School, the parish has offered many other educational opportunities for its youth.
According to Rev. Amy Denney Zuniga, St. Luke’s Rector, the local public schools have operated a successful Hollister Dual Language Academy for several years, and its plans for expansion inspired St. Luke’s to institute its own program to meet the need for local bilingual education.
Denney Zuniga is bilingual and has engaged in ministry in El Salvador, an experience that motivated her to support bilingual English-Spanish education in Hollister.
The parish hall adjacent to the church will be refurbished this summer and furnished with equipment and furniture to carry out the new program. State licensing requirements have been met and a director already hired. A list of parents who have expressed interest has been compiled and registration will open soon. The community is invited to an open house from 4 to 6 p.m. July 27.
The name “Little Bridges/Los Puentecitas” was chosen because the school’s curriculum will facilitate building bridges between people of different cultures and languages. Each class will have a Spanish-speaking and an English-speaking teacher. Activities such as singing, reading, playing and crafts will utilize both languages as appropriate.
Preschool Director Julie Dupries has 25 years of experience teaching in the local community. Most recently she ran a “mobile preschool” program under California First Five where she was responsible for driving a van to various locations in the Tres Pinos area and providing instruction near where the students live.
Classes are open to children ages 3 to 5 years old. Instruction will be offered from 8:30 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday; however, students may attend two, three or five days per week. Tuition charges will be competitive with other local preschools and some partial scholarships will be available to families with financial need.
Although not required, parental involvement will be encouraged.
“Parents are children’s first teachers,” Dupries said.
Families will be issued materials such as “Raising a Reader” to take home and supplement the classroom instruction.
For more information call (831) 637-7570 or email [email protected].
