Suggestions for Comments before the BOE
Arrive to the board meeting early to complete and submit a blue form, registering you to speak for three minutes during public comments.
As you craft your speech, begin with a brief introduction of yourself and why you are a supporter of Spanish Immersion programs. Connect with the audience by adding a personal component to your speech; for example, address one or more of the following:
- Why is it important for your child to learn a second language – and why Spanish in particular?
- Do you currently travel for business and need to learn a second language to increase access to opportunities?
- Is your community beginning to diversify and you see how a second language could help you strengthen community relations
- Does your family vacation in countries where learning a second language would improve the experience?
- Has a cross-cultural experience affected your family? Examples may include, adopting a child from a foreign country, working with contractors that are non-native English speakers, having a family member that speaks another language.
- Students develop full oral, reading, and writing proficiency in two languages.
- Students not only achieve at levels that are similar to or higher than those of their peers enrolled in other programs on standardized tests of reading and math in English, but in addition they are able to read and write at grade level in another language.
- Students develop very positive attitudes about students of other language and cultural backgrounds, and positive attitudes toward themselves as learners.
- Students who are proficient in more than one language have competitive advantages in higher education and the workforce.
As you begin to draft the closing statement, it is important to include the call to action for the Irvine Unified School District, e.g., to offer a Spanish Immersion program at the elementary level beginning in the next school year.
Visit the board meeting calendar for upcoming meeting dates.