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DLI Advocacy Grants 2023

Thanks to the generosity and fundraising efforts of many, Nuestro Mundo Inc. (NMI) has designated funds to support creative and innovative projects that support Dual Language Immersion (DLI) in the wider Madison community. This year, NMI is funding two $500 DLI Advocacy Grants. These grants are open to elementary, middle, and high school teachers, staff, students, and families who are part of MMSD’s DLI programs Preference will be given to those who have not received a previous grant, but all are encouraged to apply (limit of two proposals per group).

Application Deadline: Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Application Questions:
1) What are the proposal’s title, description, and goals?
2) Who will participate in this project? Will teachers, staff, or families participate? Will this affect one classroom, one grade, all grades?
3) What is the time frame of this request? Is this a one-time project, annual repeating event, or long-term use item?
4) Why is this needed at this time?
5) What specifically will this grant support? Will you use this grant to leverage additional funding? If so, what are the amounts & sources?
Application LINK

Process: Grant applications will be made available to MMSD elementary, middle, and high school DLI programs in the fall of the academic year. Nuestro Mundo Community School is not eligible for this grant. At the end of the academic year, grant recipients will provide a summary (and photos if possible), to share in NMI’s annual report. Grant recipients will provide to NMI a detailed report of how the funds were spent and are encouraged to attend NMI Board meeting to share results/summary/etc of how the grant was used.
Evaluation: Proposals will be evaluated using a rubric with the following criteria: Level of Schoo Need, Impact on DLI Students & Families, Impact on DLI Students & Families, Long-Term Viability, Alternative Funding Sources, Overall Feasibility, and Innovation & Creativity

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Dual Language Immersion Summit

In March 2018, Nuestro Mundo, Inc., Centro Hispano and the Latino Education Council co-hosted the sixth annual Citywide Dual Language Immersion Summit. Click here for a press release from that event.

During the Summits, parents, teachers and community members have the opportunity to learn about Madison Metropolitan School District’s work toward improving the quality and increasing the availability of the Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs. There are currently DLI programs in 10 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 2 high schools in Madison (see the MMSD list for more info). NMI continues to advocate around dual language immersion education and supporting our Latino community.

Board of Education Candidate Forum

A Board of Education Candidate Forum was again held before the 2015 election where Mary Burk and Anna Mueller Moffit both ran without opposition. The event was co-sponsored with Centro Hispano, Latino Education Council, LUCES, Latino Academy for Workforce Development, UNIDOS, Vera Court & Bridge Lake Point Waunona Neighborhood Centers. Participants heard the 3-year Dual Language Immersion plan and the overall ELL 3-year plan. MMSD BoE candidates had the opportunity to talk to parents, educators and community at large regarding their position in the school district.

Community Language Classes for Adults

The 22-23 School year marked the eighth year of our partnership with the Literacy Network to offer free language classes for adults. Classes were offered at the beginner and intermediate levels this past year and tailored to participant’s needs and goals. Participants benefited from free level-appropriate text books, guest speakers, and free child care offered during the fall and spring in person sessions. 25 students attended the fall session, 22 attended in spring, and 9 attended the virtual summer session, with literacy levels ranging from pre literacy to advanced. Requested topics included communicating at the grocery store, doctor’s office, work, and their children’s school. There was much to celebrate this past year including many new student referrals, high attendance levels, and two long time students moving up to a High-Intermediate English level. Feedback from students indicated that the majority of students felt they have grown in their confidence to communicate in English and improved their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills in English.