The Hicksville School District’s Curriculum Committee recently made a presentation to the board of education, recommending that the board implement a bilingual program for kindergarten and first grade students.
Interim School Superintendent Dr. Carl Bonuso has been actively meeting with other school superintendents about the implementation of the program. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Marianne Litzman says the district is considering a consistent education and continuity of programs for English language learners and the ability to evaluate which program—ESL or bilingual—would better meet the learning needs of students.
According to Litzman and members of the Curriculum Committee, there are presently 40 students in the district who would qualify for the bilingual program, which would begin in the 2015-16 school year if approved. These students would begin their first bilingual session in kindergarten and then move on to a similar program in the first grade.
There are two sites in the district being considered for the program. Burns Avenue and Fork Lane might have available rooms for students, but other sites around the district would also be considered.
A curriculum and materials requirement for the program would include Spanish textbooks and workbooks for all students.
“There are a lot of factors in play with regards to this program,” said Litzman. “We need to first look into the projected enrollment status for the 2015-16 school year because student numbers could change, who the teachers are we’re going to find to teach these classes, additional space to hold the program and the impact the program will have on the state budget.”
Litzman added that she anticipates four more elementary teachers who are bilingually certified would be needed in order for the program to be implemented.
Native Language Arts would be a Spanish literacy course that is required for the bilingual program. Committee members stated that for Native Language Arts, a separate teacher would be needed for the course unless the bilingual teacher has a LOTE (Languages Other Than English) certification. The course would consume one period of instruction per day there would be an addition of two classes for kindergarteners and two classes for first graders.
The next steps in the process of the implementation of the bilingual program include determining space utilization for the program, determining program enrollment, preparing budget recommendations for staffing and preparing parent communication regarding the new program to establish a personal connection.
Other steps will include scheduling parent meetings and continuing to review the ESL enrollment by grade level, building and student performance.
If approved the registration process for the bilingual program would take place in February and March of next year.
