Schools
Herricks Looks to Expand Spanish Immersion Program
District to explore possibility of first graders enrolling in foreign language program in 2013-14.
Herricks Board Vice President James Gounaris wants the board to consider having additional students participate in the Spanish immersion program in the 2013-14 school year.
“The benefits that these students are receiving are tremendous,” Gounaris said during Thursday’s board of education meeting at the community center. “It would be a shame to cut a program that doesn’t cost us any money.”
The district’s kindergarten class did not partake in the program in 2012-13. Gounaris suggested that in 2013-14 this group of first graders can participate in the program.
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Gounaris is also the parent of a student in the program.
Parents present at the meeting said that this program set the district apart from others and was a point of pride.
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“This is one of our major initiatives that made us proud,” board member Dr. Sanjay Jain said. “The continuation of this program is in the best interest of the community as a whole.”
Superintendent Dr. John Bierwirth said he would look into how the program can include more students next year and report back to the board at the next meeting.
