Comment on Parents in District 300 out of Algonquin concerned about changes to dual-language program

A group of Community Unit School District 300 parents are concerned about their children’s accessibility to dual-language opportunities due to a series of proposed changes to the program. At a school board meeting last month, the district presented a number of changes to its dual-language offerings. This includes the transition of programs from Parkview Elementary to Lakewood Elementary; the requirement of all students entering kindergarten and participating in dual language to attend Golfview Elementary, Lakewood Elementary or Meadowvale Elementary; and the requirement of all sixth grade dual-language students to attend Carpentersville Middle School. These changes were designed to provide additional opportunities for student participation, centralize and increase instructional support for students and provide collaborative opportunities for teachers, according to a Powerpoint presentation from the district. However, parents criticized the relocation of dual-language environments west of the Fox River and felt the changes were made without community input. By not having centralized dual-language schools in the district, parents argued that there could be scheduling conflicts for many families, especially if siblings in dual-language programs end up in different schools. District 300 parent Joylyn Johnson – who has children in preschool, first grade and fifth grade – said she moved into the school district so her children could participate in dual language programs, but this would be much more difficult if her kids had to take hourlong bus rides to take part. “I don’t see how I could make further sacrifices to keep them in this program,” Johnson said. A group of stakeholders met Sunday in Algonquin to discuss the dual-language plans and will present their concerns during Tuesday’s District 300 school board meeting. As an alternative, parents opposed to the changes suggested collaboration with district families to make new plans and the establishment of a parent advisory board that would meet monthly. The addition of a dual language program in Gilberts or Sleepy Hollow – which are closer to the center of the district – also was proposed since schools in these communities won’t have the same capacity issues in the future that Lakewood Elementary could have. Representatives of District 300 could not be reached for comment Monday. The school board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m.