Thread: LEARN SPANISH OR YOU CAN'T GO TO THIS SCHOOL

This is a letter to the editor in the Odessa American today, Sunday, August 12, 2007:

An Unfair Policy

I recently tried to enroll my 6-year-old son in Cameron Elementary School only to find out that, if by the second grade, he is not speaking, understanding or well on his way to writing Spanish that he would not be allowed to attend.

Even though we live four blocks from the school, he will have to be sent to Goliad Elementary, clear across town.

When did learning a language become a prerequisite to attending an elementary school?

I was brought up knowing and learning English as the primary language taught in school.

I believe it is good for kids to know other languages, but it should not be the schools that have to accommodate those who do not speak the language. I though that was why they had an ESL program installed.

I also understand that Cameron chose to be a bilingual school, but not at the expense of isolating the kids who like all the rest of us learn in English.

My son is learning Spanish at home, but I would like him to learn in English at school like every other elementary, junior high and high school I and anybody else attended.

When I voiced my opinion to officials at the administration building downtown, they told me even though they agree with me that they could do nothing about it.

This is not a matter of race, as I am Hispanic. I just want my son to, as the people at the administration building say, go to his “home schoolâ€

How does a school 'choose' to be a bilinqual school?

But all I can say is until we get tough - and by we, I mean the people - get used to this.

The want ads are demanding bi-lingual, firefighters are getting demoted who are not bilingual, businesses are being thrown out of their sites who are not bilingual.

As long as we continue to give our money to the big corporations, we are going to be pounded like this - over and over and over again.

I am not a legal expert but this smacks of discrimination.

Your rights are being trampled most likely. can anyone offer better advice for an action?

BTW, What if my child could not speak English because we just emigrated from Russia or say the Philippines...

Well guess what he WOULD NOT be disallowed from an English school because he could NOT speak English. So why the DOUBLE standard when someone cannot speak Spanish/ Again this seems discriminatory.

This is an Ector County Independent School District elementary school, Ector County tax-payer funded.

Is this a public school?

OK does anyone have their email or fax number? They can't do this if they accept federal funds.Do they really believe the american tax payer will put up with this nonsense.???

http://www.ector-county.k12.tx.us/Contacts.html#

ECISD Contact Numbers

Administration Phone: (432)332-9151
Address: 802 N. Sam Houston, Odessa, TX 79761
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3912, Odessa, TX 79760

Human Resources Phone: (432)334-7137
Fax: (432)331-7825
Address: 802 N. Sam Houston, Odessa, TX 79761
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3912, Odessa, TX 79760

Public Information Phone: (432)334-7118
Fax: (432)334-6716
Address: 802 N. Sam Houston, Odessa, TX 79761
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3912, Odessa, TX 79760

City of Odessa Home Page:
http://www.odessa-tx.gov/public/

I'm sure Mr. Dominguez is not alone locally in his sentiments. What he should do is find others who feel the same way (many might not know, as it came as a surprise to him) and show up at a school board meeting. There are always reporters at those meetings, and the public gets to sign up and speak.