The information below was sent home to parents at Boynton Elementary School on Thursday, February 15th, 2007.

Gov. Sonny Perdue is proposing to kill a more than decade-old elementary school foreign language program next year. Under Governor Perdue's budget changes for the 2007-2008 school year, the Elementary School Foreign Language Program (ESFL) would no longer be funded.  If this happens, Spanish would no longer be offered at Boynton Elementary School .

The ESFL Program has been put on the "chopping block" many times since it's  inception in 1992.  Parents and supporters of the ESFL program have always written letters and made phone calls to help show legislators how important these programs are.  In the past, the effort prompted legislators to put the money back into the budget and fund the program.  Throughout the state, the parents at schools that are fortunate enough to have the ESFL program are writing letters, sending emails, and making phone calls to let our legislators and governor know the importance of Elementary School Foreign Language.

If you would like for Spanish to be offered to your child next year, I ask for your help in this matter.  Please write a letter, email, or phone the key people on the back of this handout.  Ask your family and friends for their help and support in this matter by also contacting these  key people.  It is imperative that we inform these people how important this program is and that we make as many contacts in this matter as possible.  The funding of this program depends upon it.

Ready to print letters, additional information and the latest news can be found on our website:  

  www.funspanishclass.com
 
Please feel free to email me at mwooden.boy@catoosa.k12.ga.us or phone me at the school 706-866-1521.

Thanks for your support!
 
 
Please contact the legislators listed on the contact list as soon as possible, the legislative session ends on February 28, 2007.  If we do not contact our legislators before February 28th, it may be too late.  Your support and promptness in this matter is greatly appreciated.  For your convenience, pre-addressed letters which can be downloaded or printed are located on the Boynton Elementary Spanish Website. 

 
WWW.FUNSPANISHCLASS.COM

Let’s be proactive and prepare for tomorrow
by making the investment in Elementary Foreign Language-- TODAY!
 

 
Below is a sample letter to a legislator.  It would be more effective if you personalize the letter.  The contact addresses and phone numbers are on the bottom of this page.
 
Dear _________________,
 
It is most important that the funding for the Elementary School Foreign Languages (ESFL) Model Program be continued for the 2007-2008 school year in Georgia. We ask that you vote to reappropriate the $1.6 million in funding back to the model program in the budget. These programs, that began over 15 years ago in Georgia, were undertaken in good faith by their communities, parents, teachers, administrators and students in order to provide students with highly developed language skills in a sequenced K-12 program. The program has provided a quality model to elementary schools across the state and nation wishing to initiate their own foreign language programs.
 
In the Governor’s proposed budget, the $1.6 million in funding for this highly valued program will be appropriated for elementary foreign language media materials via distance learning. Students will not gain the language or experiences they need to become productive speakers of the language through a video. It will merely be a nice entertainment piece and supplement to the regular curriculum. In all honesty, this will be a poor use of taxpayer’s money. Children now have access to these types of programs via the computer and television at home already.
 
Students all over the world begin language studies at an early age when it is natural and easy. Students cannot become competent in a foreign language by only meeting the high school two-year requirement. Georgia’s Model Program is an exception. We are providing students real opportunities to meet their fullest potential in learning a second language. In addition, the academic achievement gains students receive when learning a second language early are remarkable. In our globalized society of today, we owe our children the best possible opportunity to maintain and exceed the competitiveness of the
United States in the world marketplace. This will not be possible through distance learning.
 
Since its inception in 1992, supporters of the ESFL Model Program have had to fight the legislative process every year to save the program. Every year we have been successful and our legislators have heard our outcry. Why? The program works! Our state provides the progressive footsteps in foreign language learning other states wish to follow. As voters and constituents, we urge you to fund this program in your budget for
the 2007-2008 school year.
 
Sincerely,
 
 
 
Please take time to use your own words in a handwritten letter, download an pre-addressed written letter from our website, email, phone, or fax the contacts on this list.

This website was created by Señor Mike Wooden.  Please send mail to mikewooden@walkerschools.org  with any questions or comments about this web site.

Last modified: 01/07/08