Elmhurst D-205 Says 'Adios' To Spanish In Grade Schools

ELMHURST, IL — Elmhurst School District 205 is suspending Spanish classes for third- through fifth-graders because of a shortage of teachers and substitutes, the district announced Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the district plans to look into how the information on the Spanish decision was leaked to Elmhurst Patch early.

In an email to affected families Wednesday, the district said it had drawn few applicants for substitute teaching positions, despite advertising. In many instances, the email said, principals have had to assign Spanish teachers to cover classroom positions.

As a result, the district said it reached the "difficult decision" to suspend elementary Spanish instruction, effective immediately through Jan. 1. At that time, the district said it would revisit the issue. The decision does not affect the dual-language program.

"We apologize for the disappointment and inconvenience of this decision. It was not an easy one to make. However, we appreciate your understanding during these unprecedented times," said the email, signed by "The Elmhurst CUSD 205 Leadership Team."

On Tuesday, Patch received a cropped email that was apparently sent to teachers at a local elementary school about the decision. Patch then asked the district about the matter.

"When decisions are made, our goal is to share information internally first whenever possible as a professional courtesy," Beverly Redmond, the district's communications director, told Patch in an email Wednesday afternoon. "The message received by the Patch appears to be the result of an elementary staff update yesterday. Parents were scheduled to be notified today."

She said the district "will look into the premature sharing of information."

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