Petition to Keep the Dual Language Program at Rucker Elementary School

To Our Fellow Dual Language Families:

We are reaching out to rally our community and urge the school board to reconsider moving the Dual Language (DL) program from Rucker to Thomson. This program has become a cornerstone of Rucker, bringing together a unique blend of students, families, and staff. Relocating it could disrupt the stability, accessibility, and community ties we’ve all worked so hard to establish.

Why This Matters

1. Stability for Our Kids

Our children have already faced multiple changes, from the pandemic to program adjustments. Moving to a new campus means even more disruption to their learning and emotional stability. Familiarity with the environment, staff, and routines at Rucker has been vital to their success.

2. Loss of Community and Connections

The DL program has built a strong, culturally connected community at Rucker, which is rare and incredibly valuable. Moving it risks losing the relationships that make this program so special for our children, who benefit from familiar faces and a strong support network.

3. Concerns About Thomson’s Suitability for DL

We also question whether Thomson was designed with the Dual Language program in mind or has the necessary resources to support it as Rucker does. Establishing a strong DL program requires adequate space, specialized resources, and support for both bilingual staff and students. Without these, the program’s success could be at risk, impacting the quality of education and support our children currently receive.

4. Access Challenges

Thomson’s location is less convenient for many families, especially those with multiple kids in different schools. For example, families with younger children in the DL Pre-K program at Calhoun would face a difficult commute, as pickup and drop-off times between campuses would be nearly impossible to coordinate. This could lead some families to leave the program, endangering the balanced model of English-speaking and ESL students that makes our program unique.

5. Proven Success at Rucker

The DL program has flourished at Rucker, providing both academic success and cultural enrichment. Moving it now could compromise years of hard work and progress for our students.

 

What We’re Asking For

We’re asking all DL families to join us in urging the school board to:

 • Delay the Move until we have a clear understanding of how this change will impact our students and community.

 • Provide a Detailed Assessment of Thomson’s Resources to ensure it has the facilities, resources, and planning needed to fully support the DL program.

 • Allow Older DL Students to Stay at Rucker so they can continue in the environment they know and trust.

 • Ensure a Plan to Return the program to Rucker once construction is complete, with a timeline and commitment to stability.

Your voices matter, and together, we can make a difference. By signing this petition, we show our support for keeping the DL program at Rucker and prioritizing our children’s stability, education, and well-being.