How to Bring Our Schools Out of the 20th Century - Guilderland ...
How to Bring Our Schools Out of the 20th Century - Guilderland ...
How to Bring Our Schools Out of the 20th Century - Guilderland ...
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
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