As the school year comes to a close, we begin to celebrate the many successes our students have accomplished as well as plan for next year. At Collegeville Elementary we have seen many changes this year that have given us pause to celebrate. With those changes comes growth and expansion.

One of the biggest successes and changes is the addition and completion of our first year of dual language immersion. The Collegeville Language Academy’s first two kindergarten classes will promote its first group of students to the first grade this year. Our teachers, staff, and parents are amazed daily by how well the kids are reading, writing, and speaking in Spanish. Many of our students are also already beginning to read in English. The kids continue to “play with language” and love learning!

As seasons bring change with them, the ending and beginning of a new year brings changes to our educational team. With heavy hearts and loving wishes, we say goodbye to some longtime family members, who have volunteered to move to other sites, while joyfully welcoming new staff members to our Collegeville Family!

With the growth of our new program, the Escalon Board of Trustees invested in expanding our school. In January, Escalon Unified School District went out to bid on the Collegeville dual language school expansion project to add three new portable classrooms. JHK Construction came in with the winning bid to do all of the site work. EUSD purchased the portables from American Modular System, and through coordinated efforts from the district, JHK Construction, AMS and TPH Architects, we have made good progress. With the start date of March 25th the area was cleared and dug down to grade where the foundation for the rooms was laid. On Friday, April 26th, we were able to have all three portables craned into place.

Next, the job of bringing in all the utilities was tasked to the contractor, with trenches being dug during the spring break week. They were able to get everything done and fill the trenches back in before staff and students returned on Monday. Things are moving along nicely, and we should be completed with this expansion by the middle of July.

At Collegeville, we are looking forward to an event filled May and a wonderful 2019-2020 school year!

Principally Speaking is a monthly article, contributed by principals from Escalon Unified School District sites, throughout the school year. It is designed to update the community on school events and activities.