By Laura Lane
Belbol reiterated statistics and studies discussed at the last board meeting, which show that FLES (Foreign Language in the Elementary School) benefits students in a number of ways, including increased English Language Arts test scores. Belbol believes this is reason enough for the Merrick district to investigate starting a foreign-language program.
Belbol addressed a number of school trustees' concerns.
Regarding a lack of time in the school day, Belbol said that at least 18 other Nassau County school districts, the majority of which are high achieving, fit foreign language into their curricula. "Since the inception of these foreign-language programs," said Belbol. "the vast majority of these schools have gone up in standardized test scores."
Belbol noted that one of the 18 districts is Bellmore, and he said that Bellmore could share curriculum materials with Merrick, making it easier to start a program quickly.
Belbol addressed a concern among certain trustees that there may not be enough time to start a foreign-language program in 2006-07. "You have all had this information for several weeks, which has been plenty of time to do the appropriate research," said Belbol. "We are only asking for a sixth-grade pilot program -- one teacher."
Belbol believes that the addition of a foreign-language program would help the Merrick School District budget pass in May. Belbol pledged that, if the district were to add foreign language to the curriculum, parents would help by "rallying the troops to support what you are presenting as the best budget for our community."
Belbol added that federal grants, known as Foreign Language Assistance Program (FLAP) grants, are available to start elementary programs.
Benay Shear, the board vice president, said the district should form an exploratory committee, but Superintendent Dr. Ranier Melucci disagreed. "We did the research last year," said Melucci. "A decision was made last year not to implement [foreign language] because of the increase in state testing."
Melucci added that he'd like to continue discussion on foreign language. He said that administrators discussed the issue during a meeting earlier that day.
In a telephone interview, Melucci added that foreign language would be one of the issues discussed in March at the district budget meetings, which are open to the public.
In other news...
Trustees asked Dr. William Clark, assistant superintendent for pupil personnel, if he could suggest a way to help Levy-Lakeside Elementary School children who have experienced three deaths this year. The school has lost fourth-grader Robbie Levine, Board of Education Trustee John Davis and recently Mark Baldinger, the parent of a kindergartner.
In a telephone interview, Clark said the district is thinking of offering an in-service course on how teachers can deal with anxiety in the classroom. Also being considered are short-term programs for children who have experienced loss.
Clark added that Merrick already has programs for children who have lost a family member and crisis teams in each of the elementary schools, and it offers parent workshops on strategies to deal with grief. Children can also join Banana Splits, a program for students who have experienced the loss of a family member owing to death, divorce or parental separation.
Comments about this story? Llane@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 236.
