The Austin School District has expanded — from four to six — the number of elementary schools that will offer its “Two-Way” Dual Language program beginning in Fall 2011.

 Sunset Valley and Travis Heights elementary schools will join Becker, Ridgetop, Perez, and Wooten elementaries in offering the program for students in Pre-Kindergarten through first grade.

 “Two-Way” Dual Language Program supports two language groups (English and Spanish) in becoming bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural in both languages. For example, an equal number of Spanish-speaking and English-speaking students would learn in both languages.

 Austin parents, and their children, are invited to attend a Dual Language orientation session at one of the two new schools to offer the program. The sessions will include tours of the campuses.

The schedule is as follows:

• Sunset Valley Elementary, 3000 Jones Rd.
  Parent Orientation Meeting
  April 25, 6 p.m.
  
  Parent Learning Walk / Tour Classroom & Question/Answer Session
  May 6, 7:45 a.m.
  
  
  
• Travis Heights Elementary, 2010 Alamenda Dr.
  Parent Orientation Meeting
  April 20, 6 p.m.
  
  Parent Learning Walk / Tour Classroom & Question/Answer Session
  April 29, 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Applications for the Two-Way Dual Language Program will be available at these schools and on the AISD website, www.austinisd.org. Applications must be returned to the school by Friday, May 13.

Students will be selected by a lottery system at each school site, after all Dual Language applications are received. Students not selected will be placed on a waiting list, and parents will be notified.

Parents with additional questions may contact Celia Glick, Dual Language Director, at 414-3705, or by email, celia.glick@austinisd.org