Mattituck School District Garners $203K Grant Toward Languages

MATTITUCK, NY – The Mattituck-Cutchogue Union Free School District was awarded a hefty grant that will be used toward broadening students' education in languages and cultures.

According to the district, the New York State Education Department awarded the Mattituck-Cutchogue School District a 2018-2019 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grant totaling $203,522.

The competitive grant was awarded following review and approval of the district’s proposed plan to expand its Languages Other Than English program with a K to 12 World Language and World Culture studies program. The grant funding will begin July 1, 2018 and continue through Sept. 30, 2019, the district said in a release.

The school district’s proposal to introduce the program supports the New York State Education Department’s goal of promoting and supporting the teaching and learning of one or more languages and cultures in addition to the English language, officials said.

The goal of the program is to prepare all students for a future in which they will develop and maintain proficiency in English and at least one other language.

“We are extremely excited to be awarded this grant,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Anne Smith said. “This funding will enable us to expand our K to 3 foreign language immersion program to K to 6, offset the cost of staff and technology and to continue our efforts to create K to 12 learning opportunities that engage, educate and inspire our students to be culturally competent in a diverse global society. I believe our ultimate long-term goal, K to 12, is for our students to achieve a New York State Seal of biliteracy on their diplomas.”

The NYSSB recognizes high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing in one or more languages, in addition to English; the seal identifies high school graduates with language and biliteracy skills for employers, provides universities with additional information about an applicant’s qualifications, prepares students with 21st century skills, recognizes the value of foreign and native language instruction in schools and affirms the value of diversity in a multilingual society, the district said.

The grant will enable the district to expand both its foreign language in the elementary school and secondary languages other than english programs to provide a more diverse set of learning experiences for all students, Smith added.

The funding from the grant will support the district’s plan to increase its capacity to provide students with well-rounded educational opportunities in areas including expanding the current FLES program to better prepare students to participate and achieve higher levels of proficiency; supporting expanded interest and participation in the high school world language program; providing high-quality K to 12 professional development in instruction, content integration and curriculum and assessment development in world language studies; creating additional community resources and opportunities for increased community involvement; implementing virtual learning to potentially increase the number of students studying a language in addition to Spanish; and providing heightened exposure for students to more authentic learning opportunities, the district said.

Patch file photo.