Food, children’s activities and the sound of Latin music filled the parking lot behind Lake Erie Bilingual Academy as community members celebrated its second annual Latino Heritage Festival.
The Painesville charter school held the festival on June 12, less than a month after wrapping up its first year of classes. Academy Principal David Kassel said the festival was open to anyone, with or without kids.
“Our goal is to not only be the best school in Lake County, but it is also to be a true community school,” Kassel said. “And with that we want to have events that show the community that we are here but also be able to bring our community together.”
Children lined up for face painting, jumped on bouncy houses and ran around with water balloons. Organizers served food that Kassel said was cooked by a local community member, while an ice cream van provided visitors with sweet treats.
“It’s almost like the ideal day, like the weather just knew we were having this event so it’s really wonderful out here,” he said.
Kassel added near the start of the festival that the school expected 80 percent of its families to attend.
He said the school hopes to continue holding the festival in future years.
Preparing for year two
Over near the school building, the academy also provided a table where attendees could learn more about the EK-6 school and enroll for next year.
The school uses the St. Mary Catholic Church school building at 268 N. State St., though it is not affiliated with the church. It opened last year with a focus on graduating students who can read, write and speak in both English and Spanish.
The school’s classes are taught in English, but Kassel said that it will continue its focus on 45 minutes of daily Spanish instruction in its second year.
“Being able to speak multiple languages, you are opening up so many opportunities for yourself in the future,” he said.
LEBA plans to add a number of clubs this year, including potential soccer, art, music and chess clubs. It will also offer before and after care, Kassel said.
He added that LEBA had 54 K-5 students last year and is anticipating at least 125 for the year ahead. It is adding sixth grade this fall and plans to extend to eighth grade in the next couple of years.
It also offers early kindergarten for kids who turn 5 before Jan. 1 and pass a test, Kassel said.
He added that students are more likely to be guaranteed a spot the earlier they are enrolled. As the summer goes on, prospective students may be placed on a wait list.
Kassel said that the school is open to any students who live in Ohio.
“We are focused on building something great in this community,” he said. “It is something that has been needed in this community, a bilingual school, that is what people told us before we opened it, that is what people continue to tell us, and we are here now and we are growing at a faster rate than we anticipated.”
Anyone who is interested in touring the school can call 440-578-0722. More information is available at lebilingual.org.