District 279 students learn about cross-cultural communication

On the last day of Multilingual Summer Academy, a bittersweet excitement fills the air. As students enjoy their popsicles and tinker with crafts, they’re also saying goodbye to friends and staff.

Every year, kids from around the Osseo Area School District participate in a month-long camp centered around language. This summer, the program was hosted at Park Brook Elementary in Brooklyn Park, with more than 140 students in attendance.

Students are paired with one of 15 bilingual teachers based on their age and the language their family speaks.

“If they're a native Spanish speaker, for example, they can go into their home language class to learn all about their culture,” Lead Teacher Stacia Krell said. “They can learn how to read, write and be literate in their home language.”

Kids spend the rest of the day visiting other teachers for language blocks to learn about the many cultures and languages present at Multilingual Summer Academy. Throughout the program, students are honing their English skills and learning how to communicate across cultural barriers.

For Spanish teacher Brenda Torres, the mixed-language model helps mirror real world experiences.

“A lot of the students are making up words, combining English and Spanish together,” Torres said. “When I get these kids and I work on the Spanish with them, I love it, because it's always like all these little light bulbs are turning on.”

Torres has been teaching at Multilingual Summer Academy since the beginning. When she first heard about the program more than six years ago, she thought about her own experience growing up as an English Learner.

“I know that life very well, not being understood and also not understanding,” Torres said.

Many students return to Multilingual Summer Academy year after year.

“You get to see the kids, the friends, the teachers that you really made bonds with," she said.

When students move onto middle and high school, they have the option to continue with a similar program for English Learners. “It's like a reunion,” Krell said.

Multilingual Summer Academy enrollment has grown over the years, requiring additional staff. “We have grown to 15 teachers this year, two lead teachers, a nurse and a counselor,” Krell said.

Additionally, district vehicles help transport kids when parents can’t. According to Krell, it is important for the program to be as accessible as possible.

For information about Multilingual Summer Academy and other District 279 summer programs, visit district279.org/academics/summer-programs-2024 .