April is National Bilingual/Multilingual Learner Advocacy Month!

In recognition of April as National Bilingual/Multilingual Learner Advocacy Month, I am writing to share new ways that your school community can get involved in celebrating bilingual and multilingual experiences and bridging cultural differences.
First, I invite you to share with your school community a captivating video that was produced by the Multilingual and Multicultural Education Department and Arts Education Branch, entitled “Language Connects Us All.” This video showcases how our students are using their home and newly acquired language to increase their understanding of others. The video is available at: https://lausd.wistia.com/medias/u3w6xi5ezl.

I also encourage you to upload your own 15- to 30-second videos, depicting ways in which students, staff, parents, and other stakeholders are using multiple languages to create welcoming environments and inclusive schools. Information about this video challenge is available at: http://achieve.lausd.net/Page/12548.

Beyond sharing or creating a video, there are numerous ways in which your school community can help celebrate Bilingual/Multilingual Learner Advocacy Month. Your school could hold an assembly to recognize students who have achieved proficiency in another language or earned a District Biliteracy Award. You might also seize the opportunity to educate parents about the dual-language and bilingual opportunities available to our students. In addition, you could create a display celebrating your bilingual and multilingual staff members and the languages they speak. The possibilities are endless.

By cultivating bilingual and multilingual education, we equip our students to become global citizens who appreciate the world’s rich diversity while still taking pride in their own cultures and heritage.

Thank you,

Michelle King, Superintendent
Office of the Superintendent

https://lausd.wistia.com/medias/u3w6xi5ezl

Published April 4, 2017 Print