Visalia Unified to offer students more learning opportunities next school year
Visalia Unified students are going to see a handful of changes next school year, including new learning opportunities and an additional dual immersion site.
Community members got a sneak peek of what’s to come during this week’s school board meeting.
“Our teams have been diligently implementing this year’s objectives while developing new opportunities to enhance student learning,” district spokeswoman Cristina Gutierrez said. “VUSD’s focus for this upcoming school year is strengthening the foundation for learning and advancing academic opportunities for all students.”
Some of the changes include guaranteed college opportunities and additional college course options, like dual enrollment. Visalia Unified’s current dual enrollment program, offered at Mountain View Elementary School, will also be offered at Willow Glen Elementary.
VUSD is also expanding its Visalia and Performing Arts curriculum to include weekly art and music to transitional kindergarten through third-grade students and choir programs for fifth and sixth graders. Up until now, band and orchestra have been the only offerings for fifth- and sixth-graders.
Not only that, but every kindergarten through second-grade student will also receive phonics instruction, and TK teachers will be trained in Sobrato Early Academic Language to help English learners develop.
“This provides our primary students with a strong foundation to prepare them to read by third grade,” Gutierrez said.
Elementary students can expect the same start and end times as one another moving forward as well. Currently, schools have staggered start and release times.
The district also plans on increasing access to academic honor programs for middle and high school students next year. For example, middle school students can take Math 1 in order for high school credit, allowing them to take higher-level math courses later on.
“Our board has declared that every student can learn at a high level, and these expansions are an investment and commitment by our board to our students, staff, and community,” Superintendent Kirk Shrum said. “We welcome families to enroll in a VUSD school.”
This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: VUSD to offer students more learning opportunities next school year
