School debates how to help 4th graders make a four-year decision on what to study
By Gene Robbins, Managing Editor
Hillsborough school board members should speedily decide whether to approve a two-week after-school program at the intermediate school to give fourth graders more information on choosing the world language they would study in fifth through eighth grades.
Under the proposal, Auten Road Intermediate School French, German or Italian language teachers would organize and lead one-hour sessions every day for two weeks, after school. The sessions would come before fourth graders must choose one of five languages they would study each year, starting in fifth grade.
Currently, starting in first grade, children have classes in basic Spanish and Mandarin Chinese. By the time pupils get to fifth grade, they must choose one language to study. It could be Chinese or Spanish, or three other languages German, French or Italian.
The after-school sessions were seen as a way to allow students to learn about the other possibilities of German, French or Italian.
The sessions would be held in February or March. Transportation would not be provided, so students would have to arrange a way to get home.
Lisa Antunes, assistant superintendent for curriculum, said the idea was approved and worked on by three world language teachers with department supervisor Enrique Pincay.
The cost of stipends for the teachers is estimated at $5,000. Dr. Antunes said the money was not in the budget, but could be accommodated with transfers.
Member Thuy Anh Le said a survey with 101 parent responses showed there was interest.
Member Judy Haas reminded the board that it had requested ideas how to introduce pupils to languages other than Spanish and Chinese.
She said “there has never been anything studied so much” in her tenure on the board.
”Last year we had a world’s fair (one-night program), with one night with kids going station to station. I recalled hearing that was great, but not enough,” she said.
Board member Lorraine Soisson said the idea was not perfect, but it was the only solution provided for this year. The cost was not excessive, and it would help kids to make a four-year curriculum decision, she said. Later, she said there should be a minimum student enrollment to make the expenditure worthwhile.
Board member Greg Gillette said it seemed to him that simple things had a way of turning into a new program with new spending. Fourth graders are in classrooms in front of Chinese or Spanish language professional, he said. There was no reason why teacher can’t take one period to introduce other languages, he said.
”I don’t understand why everything has to be so damn complicated,” he said.
Board permission would come in the form of approving the stipends. Board President Thomas Kinst asked that the stipends be put on the agenda as soon as possible for an up or down vote so the department can plan accordingly.

