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Multilingual Services

Multilingual Services

Bremerton School District’s Multilingual (ML) Services provides a range of programs designed to support over 650 multilingual learners across the district.

Bremerton School District: Language Support for Families

We value the diversity of our families. At Bremerton School District, we are committed to ensuring that language is not a barrier to your involvement in your child's education.

In line with Policy 4218, we provide free translation and interpreter services to help you communicate effectively with our schools. This includes:

  • In-person meetings: Interpreters can be present at school meetings to facilitate communication.
  • Phone conversations: We can arrange for an interpreter to join your calls with school staff.
  • Document translation: We can translate important school documents into your preferred language.

This includes information about:

  • Registration and enrollment in school  Grades, academic standards, and graduation
  • School rules and student discipline
  • Attendance, absences, and withdrawal
  • Parent permission for activities or programs
  • Health, safety, and emergencies  School closures
  • Opportunities to access programs or services— including highly capable, advanced placement, and English language learner programs
  • Special education and services for students with disabilities

We believe that strong partnerships between families and schools are essential for student success. We are here to support you every step of the way

Languages in our ML program that we serve:

  • A pie chart showing the distribution of languages in the ML program, with blue representing Spanish, teal representing Mandarin, and other languages represented in smaller slices.Spanish – 48.3%
  • Mam – 38.1%
  • Tagalog – 3.7%
  • Chuukese – 1.7%
  • Kurdish – 1.5%
  • Kanjobal – 1.1%
  • Vietnamese – 1.1%
  • Philippine – 0.8%
  • Chinese – 0.7%
  • Ukranian/Russian – 0.5%

Questions? Need language assistance?

Please contact the multilingual specialist at your child's school. They will be happy to arrange the support you need.

District Contacts

Dr. Jennifer Hernandez
Assistant Director, Teaching for Learning
Email Jennifer

Katie Trammell
Office Coordinator 
Email Katherine

School Contacts

Kitsap Lake, West Hills, & Renaissance HS

Desiree Hall
Multilingual Specialist
Email Desiree

Crownhill & Naval Ave Elementary

Maria Little
Multilingual Specialist
Email Maria

Armin Jahr Elementary

Kara Swanson
Multilingual Specialist
Email Kara

View Ridge Elementary

Kristen Yoshinaga
Multilingual Specialist
Email Kristen

Dual Language Program

One of the district's elementary schools, Armin Jahr, offers a dual language program for students in Kindergarten through grade 5. In this program, students learn academic content, literacy, and language skills in both English and Spanish. Dual language education is recognized as one of the most effective models for multilingual learners, as it helps students develop proficiency in both languages while meeting rigorous academic standards. This program aligns with Washington state's preference for dual language models, supporting both multilingual learners and native English speakers.

Together, these programs provide a well-rounded, supportive environment for multilingual learners to thrive academically and linguistically.

Learn more about Dual Language Program
 

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Our ML services are structured to foster English language proficiency, preserve bilingual skills, and ensure academic success, in line with state and federal guidelines. The district benefits from Federal Title III, Part A funding, which enhances resources for multilingual learners, including American Indian/Alaska Native students and multilingual/English learners in private schools. Below are the key programs offered:

Transitional Bilingual Instruction Programs (TBIP)

Bremerton School District’s TBIP program supports multilingual learners through state and federally guided strategies. These programs are designed to help students transition into full English proficiency while maintaining their native language skills. TBIP ensures that students have the academic and linguistic support they need to meet state standards and achieve success across subjects.

Title III Support Services

Title III funding provides additional resources to enhance the district’s language instructional programs. This includes professional learning opportunities for educators, family engagement initiatives, and the development of supplemental instructional materials. Schools may also use Title III funds to hire coaches and professional development specialists, as well as offer extended-day or extended-year educational supports to ensure multilingual learners meet their academic and language goals.

Title I- Part C Migrant Education Program

The Washington State Migrant Education Program (MEP) is federally funded to ensure high-quality education programs and supplemental support services for migratory children. Migratory families often have trouble receiving continuous, high-quality educational services because of their high rate of mobility, cultural and language barriers, social isolation, health-related problems, disruption of their children’s education, and the lack of resources in the areas in which they live and work.

WIDA

The WIDA ACCESS and WIDA Kindergarten ACCESS tests are Washington’s annual English language proficiency (ELP) assessment that has been utilized to measure language proficiency since 2022. Given to all Multilingual Learners (MLs) in grades K-12 who are receiving English language development (ELD) services, these assessments measure each student’s English language proficiency in the four language domains of reading, listening, writing, and speaking. Students can score between a level 1 and a level 6 in each of the four language domains and the results determine continued eligibility for ELD services.

Seal of Biliteracy

The Washington State Seal of Biliteracy (RCW 28A.300.575, WAC 392-410-350) was established in 2014 with the intent to recognize public high school graduates who have attained an intermediate-mid proficiency in English and one or more world languages, including American Sign Language and Tribal languages. Students in all Graduation Pathways are eligible to earn the Seal. Participating school districts with students eligible to receive the Seal shall place a notation on a student's high school diploma and high school transcript indicating that the student has earned the Seal.

How to Earn the Seal of Biliteracy

Resources & Relevant Policies