Please take a moment to contact one or all of the folks below to implore them to save the Dual Language Program at all four early elementary schools:

Board of Education (goes to all members): Boe@g.Riverhead.net 
Superintendent: cheryl.pedisich@g.riverhead.net
Assistant Superintendent for Business: Marianne.Cartisano@g.Riverhead.net

A group of parents met with some administrators the other day. That group has called for community members and people interested in bilingual and Dual Language education to please send in messages to the contacts above.

We are all waiting for some concrete answers to our questions and concerns with suddenly stopping this program. Not only is the program good for our students and the community, the parents were actually asked to sign a contract to keep their student in until at least 4th grade. So, how can the district renege on the contract?

An important point, and refuting a school district narrative:

It is imperative to keep this program at all four schools. Some people are confused about why it is at all four schools. 

This program was designed in part to create bridges of understanding among all members of our community. For many years, this kind of bilingual program thrived at Phillips Ave Elementary School. It was always at Phillips (Though, some in the district administration are trying to pretend that it would be a gift to keep it, but keep it only at Phillips. It was always at Phillips.)

Since Phillips Ave and Roanoke Ave are so similar -- but Phillips always constantly ranked higher in test scores, ratings, and success -- part of the reason for having a professional consultant create this program was to expand it to Roanoke Ave. And, also, to put it in the other two, north shore schools. Our district was on a path to build sections of cohort classes of multiracial, ENL, and Native English Learners who bonded with each other in a challenging curriculum, and could be Ambassadors for understanding when the children reached the intermediate school of Pulaski. We need this program! Do not be fooled into keeping it in only one school or only two schools!

Please do share this petition with your networks. It is wonderful to have Riverhead residents -- and we do have about 60% local signers. Though, we wish to seek support among people who care about children and about dual language education everywhere! If you are on a bilingual social media group, a TESOL group, an ENL group, a global languages group, a Latino justice group, etc, please post it there!