Dear Editor:
We, along with hundreds of diverse Hoboken families, are extremely disappointed that the Board of Education voted not to move forward with a dual language program within the Hoboken Public Schools for September. In the days following the vote, we have received numerous calls and emails from parents who feel frustrated by the outcome and disillusioned by the tone the debate has taken. Ironically, our database has grown since the vote, with families who had not previously been engaged in the process coming forward to express their support. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to collaborate with the many Hoboken families who advocated for the HoLa program, as well as the members of the Board and Administration who were inspired by the belief that all Hoboken students deserve an opportunity to participate in proven, innovative and relevant programming.
The data clearly indicates that dual language education provides a range of benefits to all children who participate, and there are many reasons that it is uniquely suited to Hoboken’s diverse population. There is also ample evidence that these programs do not cost any more to operate than traditional monolingual programs, beyond minimal start-up costs (the start-up costs for HoLa would have been as low as $30K per grade in the first year – just 0.1 percent of the entire school budget). We all want what’s best for the district as a whole, and we firmly believe that a dual language program would be an asset and an investment in our city’s children – one that would strengthen the district and provide a new option for families, without taking anything away from other grades or initiatives.
In addition to creating a comprehensive, research-based proposal with the input of educators, experts in the field and key community leaders, our role as advocates and facilitators has allowed the HoLa program to grow from a concept into a viable educational option with a large base of support, both within our community and among a network of dual language professionals. This momentum represents a unique opportunity for Hoboken.
We sincerely hope that the Board of Education will continue the discussion about dual language education as an option for its students, whether or not we are part of the process. We remain committed to this concept and are dedicated to making positive change in our community schools so that everyone has access to excellent opportunities in a rapidly changing world.
Jennifer Hindman Sargent & Camille Korschun Bustillo
Co-founders, HoLa Dual Language Program