The Italian Program at Palisade Park Jr./Sr. High School in New Jersey has been an invaluable part of the community, fostering cultural understanding and language skills among students. The faculty have dedicated themselves to protecting this program, and their passion is evident in our collective actions. With over 300 student and community signatures gathered and a strong presence at multiple Board of Education meetings, they have made their voices heard.

However, there is an urgent need to address the current limitations threatening the sustainability of this program. While students will still have access to Italian 3 and AP Italian in September, the critical entry-level courses, Italian I and II, have been slashed. Without these foundational classes, the continuation of Italian studies becomes implausible for future students.

The richness of learning Italian doesn't only lie in the language itself; it lies in the history, the culture, and the doors it opens for students in higher education and beyond. Cuttings the offerings to just Spanish and Korean limits the students' options and their desire to continue to be part of a program which has been strong.

Reinstating Italian I and II will not only secure the future of the program but also underscore the importance of a comprehensive foreign language education that prepares students for a globalized world. 

We urge the administration and the Board of Education of Palisade Park Jr./Sr. High School to listen to the passionate pleas of their students and community members. The strength of an educational system lies in its diversity and ability to offer choices that reflect different cultures and languages.

Please join us in our campaign to save the Italian program at Palisade Park Jr./Sr. High School. Sign this petition to help reinstate the full Italian curriculum, ensuring students now and in the future can benefit from the advantages of learning Italian.