As a student in the Ithaca City School District (ICSD), my struggle to feel seen and represented in our community is personal. Being part Asian in an environment where we lack representation is challenging. Learning Mandarin Chinese has given me, and others like me, a meaningful way to connect with our culture. Our language teachers are nothing short of amazing and the thought that they may lose their jobs is devastating. The Mandarin Chinese program in our school is more than just a language course. It's an essential bridge to the Asian aspect of our heritage and a way to celebrate its richness. However, now this bridge is under threat.

Despite the fact the Mandarin Chinese adds to the diversity that ICSD promotes, there are considerations of its removal from the curriculum. This not only affects the employment of our beloved teachers but endangers the cultural representation that we Asian students desperately need and cherish. In addition, several non-Asian students agree on the importance of this program. Who are we to deprive them of exploring and understanding a different culture?

Mandarin Chinese, being one of the most spoken languages in the world, provides significant learning opportunities for students. Learning Mandarin can foster a deeper understanding of the world and promote multicultural appreciation. There are countless reasons why maintaining the Mandarin Chinese program is essential to ICSD, culturally and academically.

We urge you to reconsider and maintain the Mandarin Chinese program. Let's build an ICSD that values diversity, cherishes every culture, and provides the best possible learning opportunities for its students. Please, sign this petition. Stand up for representation and learning. Stand up for Mandarin Chinese in our school.