News : VSCSD announces Iowa Biliteracy Seal Recipients

Vinton-Shellsburg Announces 19 Biliteracy Award Winners

The Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District is pleased to announce that nineteen students from the Class of 2021 have earned Biliteracy Seals from the State of Iowa. Those receiving the award under the guidance of VSCSD Spanish instructor Michele Lash include Brayden Almquist, Madison Atkinson, Clarissa Carolan, Kallea Christy, Emma Dickinson, Kayla Griffith, Conner Hicok, Katelyn Humiston, Brynn Johnson, Emily Levis, Kyle Medvedjevs, Keira Ott, Jesse Pladsen, Eli Powers, Josephine Sagan, Julius Sloop, Emily Trinkle, Jaden Voshell, and Carly Williams. Lash stated, "Being able to know and use more than one language is a critical skill for the 21st century. I am proud that Vinton-Shellsburg supports our efforts to encourage this skill. I am also excited that so many of the class of 2021 made the commitment to learn another language! I am honored to be a part of this process."

The Seal of Biliteracy is an award given by a district to recognize students who have attained proficiency in two or more languages, one of which is English, by high school graduation. Students earned the award by passing a four-part assessment given through the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). These students demonstrated skills in Interpersonal Listening/Speaking, Interpretive Reading, Interpretive Listening and Presentational Writing.

According to the Iowa Department of Education, "The seal of biliteracy focuses not on "seat time" or completion of language courses; it relies on demonstrating proficiency in a given language." The Iowa Biliteracy Seal was signed into law by Governor Kim Reynolds during the 2018 legislative session.

For more information about the Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District, please visit www.vscsd.org.