Letter: Save Oswego's Dual Language Program

Recently, the community has learned that the District 308 is planning to dismantle our Dual Language program.
 
As a concerned parent, I look to Naperville School District 203, which has strong academic reputation and has proved to be a leader in the educational community. I wanted to share the web page that they have dedicated to promoting their Dual Language program. I have highlighted a few key points and, as a voting and active member of this community, I urge you to read what they have to say. 

While doing so, please note that they have expanded their program over the course of the last 7 years. I found this information as I looked to find what area we will need to move to in order to keep our children in a dual language program. It saddens me to think that our district leaders, and BOE members would dismantle a program that has been embraced by a well-respected neighboring district, as well as all the parents who have children in the program. 

Do you really think parents would fight so hard to keep a program if they thought is was failing their children? Do you think there would be a waiting list every year to gain access to the program through a lottery if the community as a whole did not see the value in it?  

Please consider reaching out to their administrators to gain guidance in helping to meet the needs of modifying the program rather than dismantling it. Visit our classrooms and see first-hand what the program looks like so you can fully understand that our kids are learning, achieving and becoming bilingual, bi-literate and bi-cultural.

This program is a commitment. The results do not happen in a year or two. That is why, as parents, we were asked to give a 6 year commitment to the program when our children entered.

The program will show results, they will read, write and think in two languages, but this does not happen by 2nd grade, or 3rd grade. However, go into the Jr.High social studies class or the Heritage Language class and watch as Native English speakers and Native Spanish speakers can read, write and think in BOTH languages with such fluency that you will know the district has helped foster something amazing!

Please look at the information on Dist. 203's website. I encourage you to reach out to them and find a way to make our program stronger, larger and more encompassing of our entire district, rather than take away one of the best programs our district has ever had the courage to embrace.


Sincerely,
Shelli Kelsey
(Parent to 3 students in DL)