Spring 2012 - Lancaster Mennonite School

Immersed in a new type oflearningThe groans and squeals made it clear that the firstgradersknew exactly what Susana Brown was saying.As the newly-hired teacher continued her tale about thetime her dog was sprayed by a skunk, told completelyin Spanish, some students’ eyes grew in horror whileothers failed to suppress giggles.The reactions showed just a glimpse of the successesachieved during the first year of the Spanish Immersionprogram at the Locust Grove Campus.While the students in Jennifer Esbenshade’s classroomlearn the same curriculum as their peers in traditionalclassrooms, the lessons are taught completely in Spanish.Music, art, physical education and Bible classes are taughtin English, but everything else in the classroom, even snacktime, is communicated through Spanish.The experience helps students not only become proficientin a second language, but also increases their cultural awareness.The successful program will be expanding this fall with thehiring of Susana Brown, Annville. Esbenshade will remainat the first grade level, while her current students will moveon to Brown’s second grade classroom. As the inuagural classcontinues to advance, additional Spanish Immersion teachersare expected to be hired.Weaver returns to LMS as new Bridges editorStephanie WeaverNew second grade Spanish Immersionteacher Susana Brown meets one of hersoon-to-be students at the Locust GroveCampus.Brown was born and raised in Chileand graduated from Madre CeceliaLazzeri High School in Santiago.“The many opportunities I had to travel in Chile andabroad, and to serve with Youth with a Mission, opened myeyes and heart to the beauty of people of many cultures,”Brown said.Brown attends Vida Church International, where her familyhas become part of an initiative to plant a bilingual churchin the city of Lancaster. Stephanie Weaver, 2006, got her first taste ofjournalism as a sophomore at Lancaster Mennonitein Kriston Horst’s classroom.However, her love for the subject didn’t trulydevelop until she became editor of the yearbook,The Laurel Wreath, her senior year.Weaver is returning to LMS as the new editorof Bridges, replacing Fern Clemmer who retiredin March. She is the oldest of Mike and ValerieWeaver’s six children, all of whom attended LMS.Weaver is excited to be giving back to the communitythat helped her grow as a person and ajournalist.“In yearbook, she was innovative and creative,but also sensitive about what was appropriate forthe school community,” Laurel Wreath advisor JaneMoyer said. “I have not had an editor who investedso much time and care before her or since.”Weaver utilized the writing, design and leadershipskills from her time at LMS to pursue journalismat Eastern University in St. Davids, where shebecame the editor of the student newspaper.Weaver has worked for several newspapers,covering everything from homicide trials to swimmeets. She currently works as a full-time reporterfor the Reading Eagle and has designed the gameprograms for several LMS athletic teams.“As a reporter, I’m a firm believer that everyonehas a story worth sharing,” Weaver said. “I think it’simportant to share about what’s happening at LMSand I feel communication is a vital way for the bodyof Christ to stay connected and encouraged.” Bridges S P R I N G 2 0 1 2 | 7