There are other options that would have allowed for the opening of the school without focusing on Korean or any other language for that matter. In fact they did a few things that would help them achieve that goal directly, like announcing focus programs on instrumental music & performing arts. Is there really a need to introduce any foreign language to our kids in elementary school, where many kids don’t even know how to speak English?

We aren’t in the minority here, we are part of the silent majority. I don’t know that many people know about this site to begin with. It would be very interesting to see what kind of responses would be posted if the school board placed this blog on their site, similar to the one they had regarding the school closures.

The choice was simple: leave the school mothballed or open it as an innovative alternative to the charters. There are 80 kids in WC. Only 1/3 of Emblem and BCE surveyed said they would attend. That’s not enough to open the school. This approach accomplishes quite a bit, not the least of which gets the school to open its doors with enough kids.

This will be my last statement on the ‘Korean’ debate:
Who is to say what languages will be relevant in 10-20 years? The important thing for me is to give my children as much exposure to as many languages as possible.

Regarding special needs: The district is not obligated to offer special needs services at every facility – it needs to service its population and it does so accordingly.

I’m sorry the two of you aren’t on board – but right now, you’re in the minority.

ps We need to get mad:
The words you quoted look vaguely familiar

Oh, and I forgot to state in my first post that everyone is welcome to attend this PUBLIC school. That is unless you are special needs. Please see below:

General
Textbooks, cirriculum will meet the standards of SUSD
Reading / Writing / Arithmetic will not be sacrificed for the innovative aspects – in fact, learning in these subjects will be enhanced

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No special needs students on campus despite 2 rooms that were built for that purpose
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No preschool offered initially; but before and afterschool will be offered
Computer lab room will be converted to a music room; instead, they will have a “mobile computer lab”
Mr. Pak is currently the only guaranteed staff member at WCA; SUSD is actively recruiting teachers within the district

I too spent most of my childhood in places that were predominantly non-white.

It does bother me that Korean will be the platform. Can you seriously tel me that in Southern California, there aren’t languages that would be more useful for our children to learn?

On your response to point 2, I can only guess that you were at the meeting on Tuesday, yes? I spoke with Mr. Pak last week during the meeting at Rosedell. I asked specifically regarding the method in which Korean would be introduced. I was told that it would start as exposure, possibly a few words during his addresses to the school in the mornings, etc. It would then turn into a weekly session, 30-45 mins. a week, as per Mr. Pak.

This isn’t about being xenophic, this is about being blindsided. This is about not being given a chance to be involved in the decisions that are going to mold our children.

And, the simple response of, “if you don’t want to take advantage of the offers, you don’t have to attend West Creek” just won’t cut it. My taxes will be supporting that school, along with the tax dollars of everyone else in the area. I know I don’t want my taxes being spent on things that I don’t see as beneficial, specially when it comes to my children.

I grew up in a predominantly non-white area.

It doesn’t bother me in the least that Korean is the platform. If it stays that way, I’m fine with that too. I want my kids to learn an eastern language – I really don’t care which (it’s hard to predict which will be considered more relevant in 10-20 years anyhow) and frankly hope it leads to them learning more than just one.

On point two, it was clear that it wouldn’t be a dedicated subject but more exposure / conversational, integrated into the cirriculum. My interpretation: similar to “Dora” or “Diego”.

On point 3, no, I haven’t, but I’m not surprised.

1st, announcing that the school will start with a Korean language focus (instead of foreign language)will obviously attract a larger number of Korean speaking students. Which would lower the number of students who aren’t interested in Korean, which would limit the number of available language choices.

2nd, how will the Korean be introduced/taught. Where are they going to find the time during the regular school day? What part of the curriculum will be manipulated to allow the time for music, performing arts, & Korean?

3rd, and I hate to be this guy, but have any of you seen the billboards advertising Santa Clarita as the place to be, that are located in downtown L.A., particularly around Korean town?

Korean is only the first language to be offered. There will be others as the program rolls out. The focus is international connections rather than one specific country; that focus benefits the students more so than not having any exposure at all. If you have a connection with an elementary school in another country, please offer that up to Mr. Pak – I’m sure he’d welcome the suggestion.

The school is open to anyone in SCV — even those outside SCV with a district transfer.

If this program is successful, there is a strong likelihood the curriculum could be integrated in the traditional campuses, as well.