Thread: Latin American fare helps school unite

Latin American fare helps school unite

BY KELLY HINCHCLIFFE : The Herald-Sun
khinchcliffe@heraldsun.com
Sep 21, 2006 : 10:53 pm ET

DURHAM -- Lakewood Elementary School's cafeteria took on the air of a fiesta Thursday evening as Hispanic specialties graced the tables.

Instead of students lining up to get the usual lunchtime fare and milk, Lakewood staff served dishes from Latin America provided by students' parents.

Families from Mexico brought salsa, frijoles, tostadas and multiple chicken -- or pollo -- dishes.

Parents from Honduras brought valiadas, described as a tortilla with cream, eggs and beans.

Families from El Salvador brought ensalada -- salad -- and popusas, described as tortillas with cheese and pork.

Principal Elizabeth Shearer was pleased with the large turnout at the school's first Hispanic Culture Night.

"We want to be an inclusive school," she said. "We want to recognize the community we serve."

Lakewood's Hispanic population has been on the rise in recent years, Shearer said.

At least 40 to 45 percent of the students at the school this year are Hispanic, she estimated. And about 50 to 60 percent of this year's kindergartners are Hispanic. Official statistics will be released Monday when Durham Public Schools releases its official enrollment figures.

Some teachers, such as Joy Bingham, are trying to keep up with the growing population by taking Spanish classes at Duke University every week.

She, along with four other teachers from Lakewood, are part of a program called Spanish Leap. Duke pays for them to take Spanish for a year as part of the program. Next summer they will travel to Guatemala for eight days for more intensive training, Bingham said.

Bingham has 17 students in her third grade class this year. Six of the students speak English, eight are bilingual and three speak only Spanish. A little girl in her class helps translate, but Bingham says her Spanish classes have helped.

"They know that I'm in school. They help me," she said. "I'm able to pick up on what they say."

Although she sometimes feels silly and embarrassed trying to speak another language, Bingham said she has learned some important sayings, including "Be quiet, please," "Are you sick?" "Is your mommy at home?" and "Come to the carpet."

"It's a rewarding experience," she said. "I teach them, but they also teach me."

Evelyn Chavez and Saray Aulis, both third-graders, know what it's like to come to an American school not knowing very much English. The two girls are from different parts of Mexico, but both arrived at Lakewood in the first grade.

"Some people talked to me, but I didn't understand," Saray said.

With help from English as a Second Language teacher Prissy Sotolongo, the girls have improved their English skills.

"They both can read and write," Sotolongo said. "We encourage them to keep building their vocabulary in Spanish."

Sotolongo explained that a growing Spanish vocabulary enables students to improve their English vocabulary as well.

Sotolongo is one of about six teachers at the school who are bilingual. A few others know some Spanish or are in the midst of taking classes, Shearer said. Shearer herself has been working to perfect her skills. She traveled to Guatemala this summer for a week of Spanish school.

After eating an Hispanic-inspired dinner Thursday, Bingham tried some of her new Spanish words on the kids.

"I like being involved in stuff like this," she said. "It shows you support the kids and their culture."
http://www.heraldsun.com/durham/4-771966.html

People you better read "State of Emergency" by Pat Buchanan

Future members of Mecha and LaRaza who will grow up to demand even more from us. Depressing. Have you ever heard of anyone given amnesty standing up against illegals?? They are their biggest supporters. Matter of fact, I have never heard of any so-called "Hispanic leader" standing up against illegals. It's all for the Race! We are at a pivotal point. If this isn't stopped at this point and time....all control will be lost. Press ON!

Let these kids learn to eat American food. Why do we have to cater to them? This Hispanic cultural food thing has got to go. The kids eat that at home already. I guess because it is cheap. It is high cholesteral artery clogging food but they aren't worried because they don't have to pay for healthcare.

Maybe I'm being paranoid here, but I see a plan. By keeping these kids bilingual, encouraging them to continue to "build their vocabulary in Spanish" they will be able to force Americans to also have to become bilingual to remain competitive in the work place. I don't buy this BS that continuing to build their vocabulary in Spanish helps them with English. There is no reason for these kids to continue to study Spanish after they come here. They should be 100% concentrating on learning English. Why are all these teachers so hot to become fluent in Spanish? They know what is coming, that's why. I feel especially bad for people immigrating from other countries who get here and find that they not only have to learn English, they have to become fluent in Spanish also.

I feel especially bad for people immigrating from other countries who get here and find that they not only have to learn English, they have to become fluent in Spanish also.

You are so right! Many people will have to be tri-lingual. It's just one gigantic Tower of Babel in the making. Our leaders have NO vision. They can't see beyond the present. I am sick of diversity and globalization. I wish someone would explain how "diversity" and different "cultures" makes us stronger. It hasn't done anything but destroy other countries. What makes us think we are so different??

I agree with noyoucannot as I live in Miami and see it all the time. I speak 3 languages besides English and my parents taught me theirs before I went to school. When I started school I spoke no English at all and had to learn. There was no bilingual teacher or English as a second language classes. It was sink or swim. I was so afraid of failing grade one that I worked really hard and my teacher allowed me to stay inside at reccess to have enough time to get my school work done or to go over what we had just learned. I ended up passing. Myself as well as other various ethnics were all taught that it was rude to speak anything but English in public. Yet the Hispanics have no problem speaking their language in public. I even see teenagers who were born here doing so. So now when my daughter and I are in public and hear them when being speaking Russian. It annoys them to no end. We get dirty looks all the time and there have been times when they actually told us that we were rude. I have told them that I am speaking my language just like they are and remind them that they are in the United States and the only official language spoken here is English. I had one of them tell me once that I have to learn Spanish because I live in Miami and I told her the day she learns Russian is the day I learn Spanish!

swatchick, OH!! They told you that you had to speak Spanish because you lived in Miami! OUTRAGEOUS! This is the US of A and we speak English here. Miami is IN the US! I can't believe this. I mean, I believe you, but I am floored that things are this out of control! Good for you for standing your ground! More people need to do that and stop being intimidated.

The cultural and linguistic ramifications really get me going because my own mother immigrated here from France and she learned English (on her own). My grandparents and great-grandparents on my dad's side were Italian immigrants--same thing. Nobody made any special provisions for them, and they didn't whine incessantly about this or that.

The wanted desperately to "fit in" and be American. They were grateful to be here and have a chance at a better life. But, I'll tell you, I think it is partially our fault here because we have our own "enablers" who are encouraging them to act this way--that's what this whole article is about.

Originally Posted by swatchick

I agree with noyoucannot as I live in Miami and see it all the time. I speak 3 languages besides English and my parents taught me theirs before I went to school. When I started school I spoke no English at all and had to learn. There was no bilingual teacher or English as a second language classes. It was sink or swim. I was so afraid of failing grade one that I worked really hard and my teacher allowed me to stay inside at reccess to have enough time to get my school work done or to go over what we had just learned. I ended up passing. Myself as well as other various ethnics were all taught that it was rude to speak anything but English in public. Yet the Hispanics have no problem speaking their language in public. I even see teenagers who were born here doing so. So now when my daughter and I are in public and hear them when being speaking Russian. It annoys them to no end. We get dirty looks all the time and there have been times when they actually told us that we were rude. I have told them that I am speaking my language just like they are and remind them that they are in the United States and the only official language spoken here is English. I had one of them tell me once that I have to learn Spanish because I live in Miami and I told her the day she learns Russian is the day I learn Spanish!

хороший

They told you that you had to speak Spanish because you lived in Miami! OUTRAGEOUS! This is the US of A and we speak English here. Miami is IN the US!

When I was in the Miami Airport a couple of weeks ago, the anouncements were in Spanish.