Northport Schools Notebook

A Look at the World Language Department

At the Feb. 6 BOE meeting, Jo Nesfield, District Chairperson of the World Language Department, gave an overview of the department’s initiatives.  A pdf of the presentation is attached to this article.

The IB (International Baccalaureate) foreign language program has seen an increase from 110 students in 2009-2010 to 135 in 2010-2011.  However, those students scoring a four or better dropped over the two year period from 88 to 81.  Unlike other AP classes, Nesfield said foreign language AP classes are open enrollment, meaning students can opt to take either IB or AP.  Last year only three students opted to take an AP language course; all chose Spanish.

Nesfield highlighted the success of the district’s After School Language program at Norwood Avenue for elementary school students, which has maintained the same enrollment of 166 for the past two years. Eight sections of  French, Italian and Spanish are offered, including three sections with second or third year participants.

Parent Christina Brauer-Holihan expressed concern about the elimination of German online courses through BOCES, and urged the district to drop its enrollment requirements so that more students could be able to take more language courses. A copy of her letter to the BOE is attached in pdf form to this article. 

Nesfield said students can take a second language in high school. Chinese has been offered next year but she said at this point she didn’t know if anyone had selected it.

Parent Cathie Josephson wanted to know if American Sign Language was going to be added. Nesfield said it had been proposed in the past but there was no interest. However, she’s currently in contact with a graduate student to discuss it.

Students of the Month

Molly Baron was recognized as World Language Student of the Month for her study of multiple foreign languages including Italian and Japanese.

Florence Lebrun, who moved into the Northport district in 2007 from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, was recognized at English Language Learner Student of the Month.

Teacher Retirements

Board President Stephen Waldenburg announced the following retirements, effective June 30, 2012:

Patricia Markowski, an elementary school teacher at Norwood Avenue, will retire after 16 years and eight months of service in the district.

Diane Martell, an elementary school teacher at Dickinson Avenue, will retire after 17 years of service in the district.

Susan DeVerna, an elementary school teacher at Bellerose Avenue, will retire after 12 years of service in the district.

Barbara DeGere, a Northport High School Physical Education teacher, will retire after 31 years and 2 months of service in the district.