Students from Barnard Elementary School, a Mandarin immersion magnet school in Pacific Beach, performed before representatives from Mayor Kevin Faulconer’s office, San Diego Unified School District Superintendent Cindy Marten, school board trustees, and visiting Chinese dignitaries on September 26.
Demonstrations of Tibetan dance, Peking opera, and Chinese abacus by third through fifth grade students highlighted the school’s unique focus on the Chinese language and culture.
“I can’t imagine going to a [non-immersion] school because I wouldn’t get to speak Chinese,” said Texas Zubiller, a fourth grade student who delivered an abacus demonstration entirely in Mandarin. ”Learning wouldn’t be as much fun without the music, arts, and extra cultural classes we get at Barnard.”
Prospective families and community members alike are invited to tour the school to see the Mandarin learning live and in action. For more information, visit Barnard Elementary’s web site at www.sandiegounified.org/ barnard.
