Evanston Parents Reflect on Bilingual Education Changes and Community Resilience

Families within Evanston/Skokie School District 65 are reflecting on a challenging year of uncertainty following significant cuts and restructuring to local bilingual education programs. The changes stem from a January vote by the District 65 Board of Education to terminate the Two-Way Immersion program at Willard Elementary School as part of a broader Structural Deficit Reduction Plan aimed at cutting millions from the budget before fiscal year 2030.

The TWI programs, which bring Spanish-speaking and English-speaking students together to develop dual-language proficiency, underwent major consolidation. Strands from Willard Elementary School and the Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies were relocated to the newly constructed Foster Elementary School. While some students transitioned to the new location, the changes left many parents feeling anxious about the future of bilingual learning in the city.

In response to the restructuring and broader community concerns, parents formed the Alianza de Familias Bilingües. The organization was created to unite Spanish-speaking families who might otherwise feel isolated while navigating the school transitions. Members note that the alliance became especially vital during a climate of heightened federal immigration enforcement across the Chicago area last fall.

Celia Carlino, a District 65 parent who moved to Evanston from Peru years ago largely due to its bilingual offerings, expressed sadness over how the changes have impacted her community. Although her daughter moved to Foster Elementary to continue in the TWI program, Carlino emphasized that the school board's decisions have disrupted established community bonds. Despite the challenges, Carlino encourages families to stay hopeful and united.

Parental frustration with district leadership surfaced during recent meetings. At a Monday gathering between Dewey Elementary School TWI parents and district administrators, participants walked out after assistant superintendent of performance management and accountability Stacy Beardsley referred to Dewey as a "community within a community." Jennifer Cameros, another alliance member and parent of TWI students, criticized the phrasing, stating, "We are telling you that we are the community — we aren’t just a community within a community. You can’t push us aside."

Cameros explained that many parents felt they had few options regarding school choices if they wanted their children to maintain their bilingual education and peer networks. Other parents, such as Brenda Suarez, expressed a sense of powerlessness when facing board decisions, yet noted that the advocacy efforts have successfully brought previously uninvolved families closer together to support one another across different schools.

As families continue to adapt to the new school configurations at Foster Elementary, parent groups remain focused on demanding greater transparency from district officials and celebrating their linguistic culture. Through mutual support and organized advocacy, these families are working to ensure their voices and bilingual programs remain a strong presence in the educational community.