Fall River Public Schools celebrates Nueva Vista Dual Language Program; here is how your child can take part

FALL RIVER — Superintendent Dr. Tracy Curley and Principal Tricia Whitty say that the Nueva Vista Dual Language Program at the Carlton M. Viveiros Elementary School in Fall River continues to provide priceless opportunities for elementary school students to excel as bilingual learners, increasing their academic achievement, enhancing their communication skills and developing their potential for international leadership.

The Nueva Vista Dual Language Program was first launched four years ago with two kindergarten classrooms in its inaugural year. During the 2024-25 school year, the program included 140 students, with classroom lessons and instruction taught in both English and Spanish in grades K-3. The Nueva Vista Dual Language Program is expanding for the 2025-26 school year to include the fourth grade, in addition to existing classrooms in kindergarten through third grade. There are currently 8 teachers dedicated to the program, and the program will add two more next year. 

Students in the Nueva Vista Dual Language Program learn all the academic content and skills they would otherwise receive for their grade level, but structured in a way for them to simultaneously learn how to understand, speak, read, and write in both English and Spanish. The program includes both students who speak English as a first language and Spanish as a first language, together receiving instruction designed based on the most current research on how to best teach them to develop academic, linguistic, social and cultural skills, and empowering them for the rest of their lives to be confident, active and successful members of our connected global society.

According to the district, literature and longitudinal educational research have demonstrated that a dual language immersion program like Nueva Vista is the most effective form of multilingual learning for all students, including those who come to school knowing one language and those who arrive already speaking more than one language. Families now have a chance to learn more about the program during three upcoming information sessions, scheduled to be held at Viveiros Elementary School from 4 to 5 p.m., on May 21 and June 24. A final info session will be held at B.M.C. Durfee High School from 4 to 5 p.m. on August. 6.

All families who want to enroll their student in the Nueva Vista Dual Language Program for next school year are strongly encouraged to attend one of these meetings together with the student. During these sessions, families will get a chance to meet program leaders and teachers, as well as hear from other parents whose children have been part of the program.

To celebrate the achievements of the program and to provide families with an opportunity to see what their children have been learning, a Nueva Vista student showcase event was held at Viveiros Elementary School on April 30. Students enrolled in the program displayed their work in both English and Spanish, including projects on marine ecosystems, family stories, animal adventures and traditional tales.

“Our student showcase was a morning of fun, learning and bilingual brilliance at Viveiros,” said Jessica Pires, MLL program coordinator at Viveiros Elementary School. “Thank you to all of our staff who make this all possible, along with the students and their families for all of their hard work. We look forward to expanding the Nueva Vista Dual Language Program to include the fourth grade next year.”

This school year, the Nueva Vista Dual Language Program also enhanced its parent and family engagement by incorporating monthly, 30-minute “parent cafe” events that took place following student arrival at the school. These events were opportunities for families to learn more about the program and how to become closer partners in the school’s work to help their students grow academically.

“I love that the Nueva Vista Dual Language Program gives Fall River students an opportunity to become bilingual and biliterate, opening doors for them to become global competitors and to be more empathetic to other people,” said Pires, who grew up learning different languages in Brazil and Mexico.

Superintendent Dr. Curley and Principal Whitty encourage families in the district to attend the upcoming info sessions and consider signing up their elementary school-aged child for the Nueva Vista Dual Language Program.

“The Nueva Vista Dual Language Program has been a profound success since it was first introduced at Viveiros four years ago,” said Principal Whitty. “We look forward to continuing our support for this incredible program and our amazing students, allowing them to reach their full potential while developing their communication skills in both English and Spanish.”

“Any parent who is even remotely curious about the opportunity should attend one of the sessions,” said Superintendent Dr. Curley. “This program is equipping our young students for a lifetime of academic achievement and providing them with invaluable communication skills that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. It’s a unique opportunity, and I’m confident that the more people know, the more interested and excited they will become. I see a waiting list in our very near future.”

For more information about the Nueva Vista Dual Language Program, go online to the Viveiros Elementary School website at www.fallriverschools.org/viveiros or call 508-675-8300.