Superintendent should only speak English

While visiting with my granddaughter, she told me about an assembly for juniors that took place April 17 at Larkin High School. The assembly was for all juniors who are about to take the Prairie State Academic Examination. The students were assembled to listen to U-46 Superintendent Jose Torres speak.

She said that the first few minutes of Mr. Torres' speech was in Spanish and that she and many of her classmates had no idea of what was being said. She told me that it must have been humorous as he had all of the Latino students laughing. When he switched to speaking in English for the benefit of all students, nothing he said was funny enough to cause any laughter.

My granddaughter said that she and many of her classmates felt that they either missed something or were the butt of a joke. When I asked her why she did not complain to her teachers or the dean, she said she didn't want to get into trouble with the school!

His actions during this speech were both outrageous and disrespectful. He has demonstrated a discriminatory attitude toward students who are not Latino. He should apologize to those students he did not address in English, and refrain from speaking in Spanish when addressing any and all students.

English is the primary language of this country and the secondary language of many other countries. I don't care what language Mr. Torres speaks at home, but he should learn that when speaking in public, at work, or in schools, the language is "English." If he can't handle that, he should seek a position elsewhere.

Verne Jarrette

Elgin