Fillmore Unified School District students participated in the first annual Binational Summer Program hosted at Somis School. Two visiting teachers from Mexico taught classes in math, English and computer coding. Lessons incorporated cultural enrichment to help students learn about their heritage and help them better connect to the material being taught.
The summer program provides a comfortable, welcoming environment that helps students build their confidence. Dr. Jesus Vaca, the Superintendent of the Somis Union School District, says migrant kids often need extra support to help them succeed in school. “They’re coming to a completely different country with a new language and a new culture. We need to help them get to where they need to be so they can be contributing members of our society.”
A Parent Engagement Event took place at FUSD on Wednesday, July 26 6:00pm – 7:30pm at Fillmore Middle School’s Staff Lounge. The two teachers from Mexico facilitated the event for migrant families with an art/writing activity and showcased the work students have been doing. Cynthia Frutos, Fillmore Unified School District’s Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services said, "We are honored that our district was selected to send students to the first annual Migrant Binational Summer School program and we look forward to participating in the program on an annual basis."
The Ventura County Office of Education’s Migrant Education Program (MEP) was instrumental in bringing this summer opportunity to Somis. Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools, says the MEP has a long track record of helping migrant students overcome the obstacles they face. “Ventura County is home to many migrant students who have gone on to become leaders in our community,” he says. “They have built careers in fields like medicine, business and education thanks in part to the support they received from the migrant program.”
Ventura County is one of only three regions in the state to be participating in the Mexico-United States Binational Migrant Education Program this summer. The Somis program is a joint effort of the California Department of Education, the Mexican Secretariat of Public Education, the Ventura County Office of Education, and the Somis Union School District.
