ES Academic Program for 2021–2022 Dear Families,
Beginning with the 2018–2019 academic year, we made adjustments to our curriculum and more closely aligned our American and Italian Section classes in the Elementary School. We moved all students into homeroom classes with native English-speaking teachers in order to establish greater cohesion within the homeroom cohorts and help all students benefit from an even more unified community. We also added an extra 30 minutes of academic instruction each day for all students in grades 1 through 5 to enhance their preparation in key academic areas, particularly in English Language Arts. For a summary of the changes that went into effect in the fall of 2018, please review this article.
We are writing today to let you know that, beginning in the 2021–2022 academic year, we will continue the process of alignment by further unifying students in their History, Science, and Homeroom classes. We will no longer designate students as being part of either the Italian Section or American Section, but rather as part of one, unified Elementary School.
Here is how students in each section will benefit from this change:
Students currently in the Italian Section
Students currently in the American Section These students will now have their two Core Knowledge-based Science classes per week taught in Italian and will have their Italian language classes extended by 15 minutes each day. While the majority of their academic instruction will continue to be delivered in English, this adjustment to the schedule will help students also strengthen and reinforce their ability to read, write, and speak in Italian.
Overall impact
We believe these adjustments to our academic program will help us provide our Elementary School students the strongest education possible and set a foundation for future success. We look forward to discussing these changes with families in greater detail at a virtual ES Curriculum Night later this winter. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.
Sincerely,
Tim Fitzgerald |