Beaumont, CA – For some students, every subject is a challenging lesson in English––even if that class is Algebra. This is particularly true for the 91 students who were formally reclassified as being fluent in English during the December 18, 2024 Beaumont Unified School District Reclassification Celebration. Their native languages include Russian, Farsi, Tagalog, Hindi, Spanish, and more.
Upon enrollment, students complete an English assessment exam to identify who is an English learner. Annually, these students are reevaluated until they are deemed fully fluent in English. However, this process oversimplifies the long, difficult, and deeply personal experience.
At the event, keynote speaker Sonia Rezkalah reflected on the painful challenges of growing up as an English learner where few people believed in her. Her story was featured in the New York Times Bestseller, “The Freedom Writers Diary,” as well as in the 2007 film, “The Freedom Writers” starring Hillary Swank. “I had no idea that my story would be published in a book one day, but that’s the power of believing in yourself,” Rezkalah said.
To many people’s surprise, Superintendent Mays Kakish also shared her experience of being an English-language learner after immigrating to the U.S. from Jordan, where she spoke Arabic. “It is an honor to see all of these diverse, intelligent students here. They are proof of the value of public education and a welcoming community like Beaumont,” said Kakish.
After being reclassified as English proficient, sixth-grade student Serrat Kaur from Summerwind Trails School beamed with pride alongside her mother Rajwinder Kaur. Her native language is Punjabi. “It’s a proud moment for her. I’m really happy for her,” expressed her mother. She added that her daughter has a goal of becoming a doctor.
Beaumont High School senior Mike Muñoz shared how he was immensely “proud of the accomplishment” of being reclassified as fluent in English and noted the District’s English Language Development classes were an immense benefit. Both parents speak Spanish at home, with the mother, Maribel Muñoz being from Mexico. The father who shares the name Mike Muñoz expressed how he was learning to be more fluent in Spanish at the same time his son was learning English.
The reclassification celebration is not only a pivotal moment in recognizing the hard work of students, but also the beautiful diversity that makes up the Beaumont community.
In closing remarks, Rezkalah told the students in the audience, “You have two languages. And nobody. Nobody can take that away from you.”