At Black Bob Elementary in Olathe, first grader Gavin Lyon has found friends whose first language isn’t his own.
The dual Spanish-English Immersion Program at the school has enabled him to speak to students he might otherwise have had a hard time communicating with — though his mom, Jess Lyon, is worried the school’s recommended closure, and the program’s subsequent move to Arbor Creek Elementary, threatens those connections.
“Everyone is so kind to each other and it feels like family,” Gavin, 7, said. “I don’t think the building is old or anything. … I can learn Spanish and talk to my friends who speak Spanish. And I can learn at this school which feels so homey.”…