What's Happening
Osborn School District #8
Come see why Osborn is
the best kept secret!
A+ Spanish Dual Language Program
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Osborn’s Dual Language program is distinct from other
immersion programs in its focus on content instruction,
intensity, and 50-50 native speaker balance. Students
alternate weekly between total immersion in Spanish and
English for all subjects, receiving content instruction in
math, science, and social studies in both languages. In
addition, they receive specific instruction in the
vocabulary, grammar, literature and cultures of both
languages. The Dual Language aspect ensures that students
have native-speaking peers in their target language to use
as models.
Osborn continues to support and expand this program because
achievement data show that students in the Dual Language
program consistently outscore their peers in the mainstream
English-only classrooms, regardless of their native
language. With the support of the administration, the
Governing Board, and most importantly, the teachers,
Osborn’s Dual Language program is now entering its 13th
year. The program was developed to promote academic
excellence and opportunities for its students and continues
to thrive promoting bilingualism and biliteracy in English
and Spanish, academic success in the Arizona Academic
Standards, and positive cross-cultural awareness and
understanding for all students.
If parents are interested in the dual language
English and Spanish program, they may contact Noemi Cortes
at (602) 707-2016. |
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Osborn’s Spanish Dual Language program has been awarded the
prestigious Arizona Educational Foundation’s A+ Exemplary
Program Award. Osborn instituted the Dual Language Program
in 1998 with the purpose of establishing a research-based
program that would effectively meet the needs of the growing
English language learner (ELL) population as well as
diversifying the academic learning opportunities for all
students. Currently serving 523 students, the program is open
to all Kindergarten through 6th grade students enrolled at
Encanto, and Clarendon Schools, with students
continuing at the Middle School. |
Osborn Hosts Masters in Education Program with ASU West
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Twenty-four Professional Development School Masters and
Certification (PDS MAC) students began their first step
toward becoming teachers this week. These individuals
already have a bachelor's degree and are enrolled in the
Osborn/ASU West PDS MAC program, working with master
teacher's in the district and taking coursework that will
lead to a Master's degree and teacher certification when
they conclude the program in December 2009. Participants
include: Stephanie Albidrez, Lori Ballard, Meagan Corona,
Maurice Gause, Doug Gerstner, Nick Grammer, Jon Holloway,
Barbara Janati, Angie King, Lori Krejsta, Yarizeth Lozano,
Kristin Manvel, Tori Matori, Jammie Mays, Tina McMillion,
Monica Miller, Brandi Neinaber, Molly Nock, Tiffany Paulino,
Rachel Powell, Dave Roberts, Amber Schweitzer, Lisa Stein,
and Keith Stepp.
Congratulations to the
PDS MAC (Professional Development School Masters and
Certification) students who completed their year. Graduates
are: Mary Andersen, Jason Groothousen, Brody Marsonet, Kayce
Kahl, Amy Bidner, Matthew Falgione, Brenda Rooks, and Carol
Morris. |
Multilinguals Take Osborn Spelling Bee
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Osborn Spelling
Bee finalists: 3rd place Solano 6th grade
student Kelly Z., 1st place Longview 5th grade
student Arashdeep K., and 2nd place Clarendon
Dual Language student Jousy R. |
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Congratulations to the winners of the Osborn School District
Spelling Bee. The 1st Place Winner was Longview fifth grader
Arashdeep K. from Tracy Smith’s class. Arashdeep is
multi-lingual, speaking Punjabi and Hindi in addition to
English. The runner up was Clarendon sixth grader Jousy R.
from Corissa Quijada and Carlos Ardon’s Dual Language class.
Jousy is in the Dual Language Program and speaks both
Spanish and English. Runner up was Kelly Z. from Solano. All
students did exceptionally well, and the spelling bee lasted
for dozens of rounds. Thanks to Dr. Sharon Moore, Marilyn
Rollins, Michael Robert and Jill Hoover for their assistance
with this exciting event.
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Osborn Professional Development Students Graduate
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Nine Osborn
Professional Development School (PDS) students became
full-fledged teachers in December 2007. Many students, fellow
faculty, mentors and family members braved the rain to
attend the graduation ceremony at the Longview School
Auditorium.The brand new graduates were: Alexandra Choy,
Blanca Gonzales, Nicole Aguirre, Maritza Delgado, Kristi
Wilhelms, Vianca Quintero, Jacob Gross, Claudia
Ramirez-Vasquez, and Elizabeth Scala. Four of the graduates
completed their student teaching in Dual Language classrooms
at Encanto, Clarendon and Longview. The program grew out of
a partnership between Osborn School District and Arizona
State University West campus. Designed to recruit, prepare,
place and retain high-quality new teachers in high-need
urban and rural partner school districts, the PDS program
has two major initiatives: 1) a district-based,
immersion-style PDS teacher preparation program for initial
certification; and 2) distance learning-based,
graduate-level coursework in mathematics, reading and
science targeted to existing teachers in the partner
districts. Ultimately, all of these efforts help increase
the achievement of students in high-needs school districts.
According to Patricia Tate, Assistant Superintendent, “Since
Osborn partnered with the PDS program in 1999,
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student
achievement has risen significantly and consistently… The
PDS program has increased our 7th and 8th grade students’
test scores dramatically and has sustained the increase over
a five-year period”. Osborn currently employs 34 teachers
who attained their certification through the PDS program.
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Blanca Gonzales, Elizabeth Scala, Claudia
Ramirez-Vasquez, Alexandra Choy, Nicole Aguirre, and
Jacob Gross |
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Bond & Community Playground Construction
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