Beverly Hills Schools Expand Counseling and Launch Language Program

Categories: EducationSchool News

Students at Beverly Hills High School engage in counseling and language programs to enhance their educational experience.

News Summary

The Beverly Hills Unified School District Board has approved the expansion of the College and Career Counseling Center at Beverly Hills High School and introduced a new Spanish dual language program. The Counseling Center will see an increase in counselors to better support students as they transition through school and into college. The dual language initiative will start in the fall, enhancing language skills for younger students. A parent meeting is scheduled to address specifics about the program, highlighting the district’s commitment to improving educational support and language proficiency.

Beverly Hills, CA – The Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) Board made significant progress in its meeting on May 27, approving the expansion of the College and Career Counseling Center at Beverly Hills High School along with the introduction of a new dual language program for younger students. This dual initiative aims to enhance student support and language proficiency within the district, addressing key educational needs at multiple levels.

The board voted in favor of adding multiple counselors as part of the Counseling Center’s expansion. This comprehensive restructure will see the existing five academic counselors, one college counselor, and two wellness counselors bolstered with new arrivals. The restructuring is set to introduce four freshman and sophomore transition counselors, four junior and senior academic and college counselors, an additional wellness counselor, and a new director of counseling, ensuring each grade level receives tailored support.

Counselors assigned to freshmen and sophomores will focus on integrating incoming eighth-grade families while collaborating with teachers and parents to foster a supportive educational environment. Meanwhile, the junior and senior counselors will provide one-on-one meetings with students to assist with college admissions, guiding families through the complex processes of college testing and applications. The board unanimously recognized the importance of these enhancements to help students successfully navigate pathways to four-year colleges.

In addition to the counseling expansion, the board approved the establishment of a Spanish dual language program, named the Dual Language Academy. This program will start in the fall and be implemented in one kindergarten and one first-grade classroom each at El Rodeo and Horace Mann Elementary Schools. The initiative is structured as a one-way immersion model mainly aiming at native English speakers who wish to learn Spanish, thereby broadening the language skills of BHUSD students from an early age.

To clarify details surrounding the dual language program and address any community concerns, a parent meeting is scheduled for June 11. This meeting will provide a platform for parents to ask questions and seek additional information about the curriculum and the overall direction of the program.

In other developments, Board President Rachelle Marcus has initiated a new video series titled “Mrs. Marcus Meets,” intended to showcase and highlight the dedication of teachers and staff within the district. The series launched with an episode featuring a conversation with Dr. Fred Pinto, a Musical Theatre teacher at Beverly Vista Middle School, discussing the school’s recent production, “The Addams Family.”

The board also gave its approval for various educational technology tools, including iReady, BrainPOP, and Classtime, which are scheduled for the 2025-26 school year. This decision underwent scrutiny, particularly regarding concerns over increased screen time for young students. Board Member Sigalie Sabag expressed these concerns while seeking assurances about the impact of technology on students in grades K-3. In response, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Dustin Seemann affirmed that these educational tools had undergone thorough evaluations by school administrators to ensure their efficacy and appropriateness for students.

This meeting comes in the wake of various challenges faced by the BHUSD community, including the resignation of Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy, which occurred on February 21 amid a backdrop of accusations and lawsuits. Furthermore, the district is currently involved in a recall effort aimed at Board Members Sigalie Sabag and Russell Stuart, reflecting a growing sentiment of dissatisfaction among community members regarding board transparency and recent changes in school administration.

As BHUSD seeks to enhance its educational offerings and support systems, these approvals signal a commitment to creating a more well-rounded and supportive academic environment for its students, ensuring they are well-prepared for their future endeavors.