Contact Information

Phone Number: (760) 724-6783

 

Language Acquisition Programs in Vista Unified

Elementary Grades (K-5):

VUSD currently offers the following two LAPs for elementary grades (K-5): 

Vista Unified currently offers the following LAPs

• Structured English Immersion (SEI) Program: Provides “nearly all classroom instruction in English”, with curriculum and strategies designed to support ELs. Students are offered comprehensive ELD, using “the state-adopted academic content and ELD standards through Integrated and Designated ELD.” VUSD makes SEI available in all schools.

• Dual-Language Immersion (DLI) Program: Dual Language is currently only offered at the Elementary level and provides “integrated language learning and academic instruction for native speakers of English and native speakers of another language.” In VUSD the other target language is Spanish. The DLI program goals include high academic achievement; first and second language proficiency; and cross-cultural understanding. The DLI Program includes these three pillars: 1. Bilingualism and Biliteracy  2. Grade-level Academic Achievement; and 3.Cross-Cultural Competence. VUSD makes DLI available at Grapevine Elementary, Alamosa Park and Hannalei Elementary. 

Middle School (6th-8th):

VUSD currently offers the following two LAPs for grades 6-8.

• Structured English Immersion (SEI) Program: A language acquisition program for ELs in which nearly all classroom instruction is provided in English, but with curriculum and a presentation designed for pupils who are learning English. Every VUSD middle school provides an SEI program with designated ELD and integrated ELD, providing access to grade level academic subject matter content.
• Heritage Language Program: Language acquisition program for ELs  that provides instruction to pupils utilizing English and a pupil’s native language for literacy and academic instruction, enabling non-English speakers or students who have weak literacy skills in their native language to achieve language proficiency and meet academic achievement goals. 

High School (9th-12th):

• Structured English Immersion (SEI) Program: A language acquisition program for ELs in which nearly all classroom instruction is provided in English, but with curriculum and a presentation designed for pupils who are learning English. Every VUSD middle school provides an SEI program with designated ELD and integrated ELD, providing access to grade level academic subject matter content.
• Heritage Language Program (if available): Language acquisition program for ELs that provides instruction to pupils utilizing English and a pupil’s native language for literacy and academic instruction, enabling non-English speakers or students who have weak literacy skills in their native language to achieve language proficiency and meet academic achievement goals. 

Translation and Interpretation Services 

 

Translation and Interpretation (T&I) Services Unit strives to connect Limited English Proficient (LEP) families with VUSD’s programs and services through meaningful and appropriate language access. Our focus is to ensure language access with district-wide communications as well as district-level meetings, and we also provide some level of support to school sites. 

Providing Language Assistance Services

1. Each school and District office  provides free oral interpretation services to all parents who require language services in order to communicate effectively during any interaction with the District significant to the student’s education. Additionally, each school and District provides free translation of vital documents.

2. All interpretation and translation is provided by competent and fluent speakers of that language as demonstrated by a combination of assessment and training. The District takes reasonable steps to ensure that interpreters and translators have the knowledge in both languages of any specialized terms or concepts to be used in the communication at issue, and that they have been trained in the role of an interpreter or translator, the ethics of interpreting and translating, and the need to maintain confidentiality.

3. The District provides interpretation and translation by competent and fluent speakers of the language in need, as evidenced via education, professional experience, training, assessment, and/or certification. The District also takes steps to ensure that:

4. Parents/guardians may voluntarily elect to decline the District or school’s offer of an interpreter, and instead may refer to an adult friend, companion, or relative for language and interpretation support, but school staff may not suggest this as an alternative to providing appropriate language and interpretation services.

5. Students and other minor children under the age of 18 may not serve as interpreters for school staff and parents/guardians during any formal or informal meeting or process.

6. The District facilitates staff access to appropriate interpretation and translation services in order to communicate with LEP parents consistent with federal and/or state law and this language access plan. If no in-house interpreter can be present, District staff should utilize the District’s list of qualified bilingual staff, or contact the Translation and Interpretation Services Unit for further assistance.

7. The following interpretation and translation services are currently available in the District:

Interpretation Services:

1. Interpretation is provided where necessary (i.e., where the District or school has reason to know that LEP parents will attend, or by parent request) to enable parents and guardians to participate in school and District- level activities, including but not limited to the following:

• Meetings of the District Governing Board

• Meetings of school and District Advisory Committees (School Site Council, District English Learner Advisory Committee, Community Advisory Committee for Special Education, etc.)

• Parent information meetings and forums

  2.  Interpretation is provided where necessary to enable parents and guardians to understand communications with school and District staff concerning their students, including but not limited to the following:

• Parent-teacher conferences 

• Communications concerning student discipline, including suspension and expulsion, and disciplinary hearings

• Communications concerning student progress, including telephone calls and meetings between parents/guardians and teachers or counselors 

• All communications concerning referral, assessment, or placement of students for special education, including SST, IEP, and Section 504 meeting3. Site administrators will provide or arrange for interpretation as provided in these guidelines or if requested by parent or guardian, as follows

3. District Interpreters are available from the Translation & Interpreting Services Unit for the following proceedings:  

• Expulsion hearings and District discipline meetings 

• 504 Plan meetings

• SST meetings

• TRIADs 

• SART and SARB reviews

• Employee-related matters

• IEP meetings (SpEd team)

Connect with us at 760-724-6783 at the Multilingual Center for more information. 

District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC)
 

The District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC) of Vista Unified is a community-oriented group that works with the Vista Unified School District to improve education for students who are learning English. The committee meets regularly to discuss and recommend solutions to the challenges facing students who are learning English.  DELAC has significantly contributed to improving education for English learners in the Vista Unified School District.

Presidente : Ana Cruz     Vicepresidente : Sophia Ramos     Parlamentaria: Elvira (Elvis) Aparicio     Secretaria: Lourdes Mendez      Secretaria : Esmeralda Chora

DELAC MEETINGS 2023-24

TASKS 

DUAL LANGUAGE IMMERSION

 

The goal of our Dual Language Immersion programs is to help students become bilingual and biliterate in English and Spanish. This program is offered to any family interested in this learning model, with well-prepared teachers, standards-aligned curriculum in English and Spanish, and a path that will lead them to graduate in 12th grade with the State of California's Seal of Biliteracy. Vista Unified currently offered DLI programs at:

 Alamosa Park Elementary - Grades TK-4 : A Spanish & English 90/10 in the North side of Vista Unified 

 Grapevine Elementary - Grades TK-5 : A Spanish & English 50/50 in the East side of Vista Unified 

Hannalei Elementary -  Grades TK-1 : A Spanish & English 50/50  in the West side of Vista Unified 

The VUSD Dual Language Immersion Programs are build upon three pillars or program goals: 

Want to know more? Check out Parent Presentation on our district's Dual Language Immersion programs.