Elementary schools to get after-school Spanish classes

Mary A. Castillo

The Laguna Beach Unified School District Board of Education this week

approved starting an elementary after-school Spanish language program.

“After we surveyed parents and teachers we found that the best way to

meet the state standards for foreign language skills is to begin an

after-school program at the elementary level,” said Steven Keller,

assistant superintendent.

The Berlitz Language Center will administer the program by providing a

bi-literate and bilingual instructor as well as a structured program.

Classes are estimated to cost between $6,000 to $9,000 per year, per

class. SchoolPower funds will be used to cover the cost.

Berlitz was chosen because it has a proven, structured curriculum that

covers reading, writing, speaking and listening skills, said Keller.

However, in spite of its approval, the board raised concerns at its

Tuesday night meeting.

“Is there any way it can be integrated into the school day,” asked

Board Member Jan Vickers. “I’m concerned that we’ll miss a number of

students because it will conflict with after-school activities.”

However, Keller explained that teachers are using all their teaching

minutes and may have to give up teaching one subject to accommodate

another.

Later in the discussion, board member El Hathaway raised the question

of implementing a zero period at the elementary schools. It would not

require additional bus scheduling, he said, and possibly would not add to

the principal’s workday.

Nonetheless elementary students will have the chance to get a head

start on their Spanish language skills this fall. Keller will announce at

a later date when the classes will take place and whether they will be in

one- or two-hour increments.

“The last time we tried a program during school hours we didn’t get

enough language coverage,” Vickers said. “But this is a good starting

point.”