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District 54 offers parents choices for their children

As a parent of two children and the superintendent for 15,000 children, I want what is best for them. I do my research and make choices designed to help them be happy and successful in school and in life.

In 1998, School District 54 wondered whether we could offer parents more of a choice within our district. A community focus group was formed, which led to the opening of Lincoln Prairie School, District 54's first school of choice. In its first year, and every year since, the school had a waiting list.

District 54 then wondered whether there were other programs that would interest parents. Since that time, 17 years ago, we have launched a number of open enrollment programs.

• English-Spanish dual language programs exist at four elementary schools (Hanover Highlands, Link, Enders-Salk and MacArthur) and four junior high schools (Eisenhower, Keller, Frost and Mead).

The goal of this program is for students to communicate effectively in both languages by the time they exit school. Dual language classes at the elementary level are composed of approximately 50 percent English-proficient and 50 percent Spanish-proficient students.

These programs seek to develop academic and cultural competence and bilingualism for students from kindergarten through eighth grade.

• Dooley Elementary School became home to an English-Japanese Dual Language Program and an Early Instrumental Music Program in 2001. Students have the option of learning Japanese and English together in this dual-language setting.

In addition, early instrumental music (violin) is available to primary students at Dooley. Individuals can sign up for the Dual-Language Program only, or the Dual-Language and Early Instrumental Music programs together.

• Most recently, a Mandarin Chinese immersion program began at Campanelli School. Chinese Immersion is a one-way immersion experience where the vast majority of students have no prior experience or proficiency in the Chinese language. The goal of this program is for students to communicate effectively in Chinese and to develop a deep understanding of the Chinese culture.

• Blackwell Elementary School offers sign language as a mode of communication. Students learn signing from their teachers and communicate with both traditional oral and sign language.

Blackwell also started housing our deaf and hard-of-hearing student population in 2001. Supporting this communication theme, a full production lab is installed at Blackwell so students can participate in video production projects and classes.

If you are interested in any of these programs for your children, I invite you to join me at our annual Open Enrollment Fair Wednesday, Jan. 25, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the District 54 Professional Learning Center, 522 E. Schaumburg Road in Schaumburg.

Hundreds of parents visit the fair each year to meet school personnel, ask questions and sign up to visit the schools on a school day to see the programs in action. Some attend, do their research and then make the choice to stay at their neighborhood school. Others apply for their children to attend one of the open enrollment programs.

Whatever your choice for your child, I can ensure you that all 28 of our schools and 2,000 employees are committed to ensuring the academic success and social-emotional well-being of your children.

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