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How to Bring Our Schools Out of the 20th Century - Guilderland ...

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GUILDERLAND CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT<br />

MINUTES OF COMMITTEE MEETING<br />

NAME OF COMMITTEE: Foreign Language Early Start<br />

DATE OF MEETING: May 10, 2004<br />

MEMBERS PRESENT: Nancy Andress, Cathy Beadnell, Martha Beck, Karen Covert-Jones, Amy<br />

Daley, Marian DeSantis, Debbie Drumm, Mary K. Weeks, Martha Kemp,<br />

Lynn Luffman, Al Martino, Wendy Meola, Jennifer Politano, Anna<br />

Russo, Stephanie Sakmar, Karen Shields, Dianne Walshhamp<strong>to</strong>n<br />

CHAIR:<br />

Al Martino and Nancy Andress<br />

RECORDER:<br />

Nancy Andress<br />

ITEMS DISCUSSED BY TOPIC:<br />

1. Welcome, Introductions<br />

Nancy welcomed <strong>the</strong> group, introductions were made, and a brief his<strong>to</strong>ry <strong>of</strong> FLES in <strong>the</strong> district<br />

was given.<br />

2. Committee Goal<br />

Al Martino, Supervisor <strong>of</strong> Foreign Language, gave <strong>the</strong> committee goal:<br />

To investigate foreign language instruction at <strong>the</strong> elementary level and <strong>to</strong> make<br />

recommendations for <strong>the</strong> teaching <strong>of</strong> foreign language K-5 for <strong>the</strong> 2005-2006 school<br />

year.<br />

Committee Tasks:<br />

• review research base<br />

• examine school models <strong>of</strong> delivery/evaluation<br />

• visitations<br />

• planning/piloting<br />

• staffing, budget<br />

• Committee report <strong>to</strong> Superintendent <strong>of</strong> <strong>Schools</strong> with recommendations in December 2004<br />

3. Vision <strong>of</strong> an Elementary Foreign Language Program<br />

The committee formed triads and did a placemat activity on <strong>the</strong>ir vision <strong>of</strong> a successful<br />

elementary foreign language program.<br />

Common elements were:<br />

• Start in kindergarten - level <strong>of</strong> enthusiasm<br />

• Cultural/Language - side by side respect<br />

• Choices - Languages - parents - how <strong>to</strong> present <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>m<br />

• Kindergarten immersion through play, activities<br />

• Scheduling<br />

• Which languages? Choose language representative <strong>of</strong> students in district<br />

• Begin in kindergarten, early childhood brain research<br />

• Cultural awareness - extend building wide (e.g. bilingual signs, activities)<br />

• Interactive program, hands-on<br />

• Important as Americans - global perspective, knowing languages<br />

• Benefits for students with English reading and writing<br />

• K-5 <strong>to</strong> start<br />

• Language/culture - connect <strong>to</strong> curriculum

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