We call on the Dayton Public School Board to approve the creation of a school to teach English quickly to students who recently arrived from other countries.

At the last Dayton Public School Board meeting, a proposal was presented to the board for a school serving English language learner students (ELLs). The meeting lasted an unprecedented 7 hours! Out of 35 people who came to voice their opinion, a dozen remained or left their message to be heard 5 hours later.

They gave their time because most people can see that this is a much-needed service. If we provide intensive English language instruction to students who recently arrived in the United States, they will be more prepared to be part of the Dayton Public Schools community and get the most out of their education.  

So, what is the hold up?

The ELL committee proposed a school for ELL students because they looked at the data and realized that enrollment by students from other countries is growing faster than expected. Students who are not yet fluent in English for learning in a regular classroom setting make up 16 percent of the DPS population, and that percentage is increasing every month.
As it stands now, drop out is at a rate of 70 PERCENT among students whose education was disrupted by war or displacement from their home country. This statistic is simply not acceptable. 

It is no longer an option to operate the way Dayton Public Schools have done in the past. If we do not do something quickly, we will be failing our students.

At the board meeting, two residents from Residence Park came to speak and shared their concerns about the placement of the proposed ELL school. There is an open wound and a lot of hurt in the community because the school building where the program would be housed was closed in 2018 due to low enrollment. Some board members are concerned that the community at Residence Park will not accept students from New American communities in the school once attended by their kids before it closed its doors.  

We want to ask the Dayton Public School Board of Education to open the proposed ELL school, not just for the needed education it will provide to the ELL children but also for the wrap around services listed in their presentation. These services include a health clinic, food pantry, community programs, and afterschool activities. These services will benefit the entire community and school district.

Please give the immigrant students a fighting chance. By creating this ELL school, we can provide a gateway for new additions to the Dayton community.