Stacey Peterson was named the 2026 URSA Principal of the Year, according to a post from the North Sanpete School District website dated May 22, 2026. As of that same date, Peterson was listed as the principal of Moroni Elementary, according to the North Sanpete School District's website regarding Dual Immersion contacts.
During a legislative committee meeting on February 5, 2026, Moroni Elementary was showcased through a presentation regarding the school's 12-year Dual Language Immersion program, according to a North Sanpete School District post. The presentation included reflections from four sixth-grade students—two speaking in English and two speaking in Spanish—to demonstrate academic growth and bilingual confidence, according to that same February 5, 2026, post. This presentation was intended to highlight the educational impact of the program and its role in bringing students, families, and cultures together, according to the February 5, 2026, post.
The Spanish Dual Language Immersion program at Moroni Elementary is designed to build academic fluency in both English and Spanish, according to the North Sanpete School District's website. This program aims to help students develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in two languages, according to the district's website. The program's three specific goals include bilingualism through high levels of proficiency in English and Spanish, biliteracy through high levels of academic achievement in both languages across all content areas, and multicultural competence through the understanding of different cultures and the development of high esteem, according to the district's website.
Research cited by the North Sanpete School District suggests that language immersion programs help students attain high levels of second language proficiency, according to the district's website. The district notes that immersion students typically develop greater cognitive flexibility, which includes increased attention control, better memory, and superior problem-solving skills, according to the district's website. Furthermore, the district's website states that immersion students perform as well as or better than non-immersion students on standardized tests of English and math administered in English.
Moroni Elementary operates under the Parent and Family Engagement Policy of the North Sanpete District Elementary Schools, according to an undated policy document. This policy is designed to help create a positive environment that is welcoming to all parents and students, according to the undated policy. Under this policy, NSSD Elementary Schools are expected to hold annual meetings, such as Back to School Night, to explain the rights of parents to be involved in their child's education, according to the undated policy. The policy also requires schools to communicate regularly with parents regarding student education, curriculum descriptions, academic assessments, and proficiency levels, according to the undated policy. Additionally, the policy states that schools should provide materials and training to help parents improve child achievement in areas like literacy and math, according to the undated policy.
What this means for Moroni
For residents of Moroni, these records from 2026 show that Stacey Peterson was recognized for leadership as the 2026 URSA Principal of the Year. Additionally, the documents highlight the ongoing presence of a long-standing Spanish Dual Language Immersion program and a formal policy designed to facilitate regular communication between Moroni Elementary and local families.
