School News

Expanding “Immersion" 

This school year, a 6th grade Navajo-medium classroom has been added. It is more commonly known as “immersion”.

Squash blossoms are added one at a time as the vine grows.

Sally Begay has the ultimate challenge in teaching the multi-grade-level classroom of 4th, 5th, and 6th combined. We all need to assist her in any way possible.

This is our 6th year implementing our “immersion” model which starts out as “full immersion” from kindergarten through 4th grade. At 5th grade beginning in quarter two, students are introduced to English reading instruction for the first time for 45 minutes daily (15%). At sixth grade, this increases to 90 minutes and is progressive until at 8th grade, 60% of the day is through English. The 40% in Navajo is to continue to develop oral communication skill in Navajo and to develop Navajo to higher levels of proficiency.

Thank you all for your help! We currently have 48 students in “immersion”.