The impact of Downey Unified’s dual immersion program

Dear Editor:

Six years ago, my family joined a new initiative at Carpenter Elementary, Downey Unified’s dual language immersion program. It provided our daughter with the opportunity to read, write, and speak fluently in both English and Spanish. We weren’t sure what to expect, but we knew the world was changing, and my wife and I wanted her to be ready for it.

Last month, she became part of the program’s first graduating class. I’m proud of her bilingual skills, especially since she conjugates Spanish verbs better than I ever did after three years of classes. But what brings me the most pride is how she uses that skill to connect. When she speaks Spanish, I see how faces light up. People lean in. Speaking the language someone grew up with helps them feel seen, respected, and part of the community.

We have neighbors and friends whose first language is Spanish. Some are recent immigrants, some are grandparents, and many simply feel more comfortable expressing themselves that way. Every time my daughter greets someone in Spanish, I’m reminded of how language can bring people closer together.

Although we didn’t grow up speaking Spanish, this program helped our family feel more connected to our community. It gave our daughter a bridge to others’ experiences and gave us a deeper sense of belonging in the place we call home.

Yes, the program gave her fluency, but it also taught her how to be open, adapt, and navigate between cultures with curiosity and care. That’s a lesson that extends far beyond the classroom. One meaningful part of this journey is watching her apply those lessons daily, whether at the grocery store, chatting with neighbors, or simply running errands.

When Downey Unified launched this program, it was a bold move. It required trust, vision, and a willingness to try something new. I’m grateful to Dr. John Garcia, Superintendent Roger Brossmer, and the School Board, who saw the changing demographics of our city not as a challenge to manage but as an opportunity to embrace. They invested in a model that honors the diversity and promise of our community.

The program has since expanded to more schools, offering students a deeper connection to both language and culture. And though there were skeptics at first, it was the students who answered the questions. They proved that young children can rise to the occasion and that learning another language isn’t about trading identities. It’s about growing into fuller ones.

Our daughter is just one of many who will carry these lessons forward. We believed in this program six years ago. Today, we believe in it even more.

It has shaped our family in ways we never expected and helped our daughter and our city grow more connected than ever.

Joseph Manacmul
Downey

Dear Editor:

A few weeks ago, I was promoted from Carpenter Elementary and moved on to middle school. As we walked the halls one last time, younger students cheered us on. At the end of the hallway, I saw my dad waiting with flowers and a proud smile. I ran to him and started crying because I felt so thankful. I thought about everything my teachers had given me, kindness, confidence, and the courage to speak up.

When I started kindergarten, I didn’t know any Spanish. Some of my classmates already understood it, and I felt nervous. I really wanted to do well. It wasn’t easy at first, but my teachers helped me grow. Now I can read, write, and speak fluently. I even think I have a pretty good accent.

What I love most is how learning Spanish helped me connect with others. Speaking Spanish with friends felt like our own secret language. We made up challenges, like only speaking Spanish on certain days, and it helped us improve. Outside of school, I can talk with more people, translate for my family, and make my neighbors feel included. I’ve seen people smile just because I said something in their language. That makes me proud.

One thing I’ll never forget is how brave our teachers were. Since we were the first dual immersion class, they had to teach a new grade every year. We were learning together, and it made me feel like we were part of something special.

Carpenter taught me more than just how to speak Spanish. It taught me to be respectful, responsible, and open to people who are different from me. If I could learn every language in the world, I would. I think one of the most important things in life is making people feel seen and understood.

I made amazing friends. We laughed during recess, shared jokes in Spanish, and supported each other every year. These memories will stay with me forever.

Dual immersion gave me more than a new skill. It gave me courage, friendships, and a better way to understand others. It helped me grow, and it made our school and our community feel more connected.

Thank you, Carpenter, for everything you taught me. I will carry it with me always.

Clarajane Lowry Manacmul
Downey