Grand View Elementary Celebrates Dual Language Program's 20th Anniversary

Undeterred by the June gloom, more than 400 parents, teachers, students and prospective students attended the 20th anniversary celebration ofSchool’s dual language Spanish-English program on Saturday afternoon. 

Teacher Sara Telona served as master of ceremonies, introducing children from each grade as they performed a series of dances.

First up were 17 pre-kindergarten students dancing to the Shakira song “Waka Waka” dressed in neon green hula skirts and brightly ruffled leis.

Lively Spanish music filled the air throughout the afternoon as attendees snacked on nachos and ice cream, and were able to buy books that had both Spanish and English in them,  along with T-shirts and hoodies with the school’s logo. There was also plenty of activities for kids including face-painting and creating greeting cards.

Guest speakers included LAUSD board of education member Steve Zimmer, who told attendees that he was proud to celebrate with the school, and former Grand View dual language program teacher Paula Mahan.

“I would like to honor our teachers because it is our teachers who have kept this program alive,” said Mahan, who taught at Grand View for 14 years.

Grand View’s dual language program, which was established via a federal seed grant the school received in 1990, was the first of its kind in Los Angeles. In 1991, the school had only two dual language kindergarten classes. Today, the program has blossomed into 10 classes that run from pre-K through fifth grade.

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