Comments on: Developing Valencia: The End of an Era—”Elementary, My Dear Claritan” http://scvtalk.com/2010/01/28/developing-valencia-the-end-of-an-era%e2%80%94elementary-my-dear-claritan-2/ a blog for SCV nerds by SCV nerds. Blogging Santa Clarita daily since 2006 Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:22:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Kev http://scvtalk.com/2010/01/28/developing-valencia-the-end-of-an-era%e2%80%94elementary-my-dear-claritan-2/comment-page-1/#comment-9294 Kev Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:13:37 +0000 http://scvtalk.com/?p=1684#comment-9294 NiceklDime, 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. NiceklDime,

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.

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]]> By: We need to get mad http://scvtalk.com/2010/01/28/developing-valencia-the-end-of-an-era%e2%80%94elementary-my-dear-claritan-2/comment-page-1/#comment-9277 We need to get mad Thu, 11 Feb 2010 05:06:46 +0000 http://scvtalk.com/?p=1684#comment-9277 Xenophobia has nothing to do with it. How in the world could Korean be our only option? We live in California where most of the people who do not speak English speak Spanish. It would be the most logical choice and one that would benefit the most students in our community. 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 *********************************** No special needs students on campus despite 2 rooms that were built for that purpose *********************************** 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 Xenophobia has nothing to do with it. How in the world could Korean be our only option? We live in California where most of the people who do not speak English speak Spanish. It would be the most logical choice and one that would benefit the most students in our community.

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

***********************************
No special needs students on campus despite 2 rooms that were built for that purpose
***********************************

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

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]]> By: Kev http://scvtalk.com/2010/01/28/developing-valencia-the-end-of-an-era%e2%80%94elementary-my-dear-claritan-2/comment-page-1/#comment-9264 Kev Thu, 11 Feb 2010 02:41:55 +0000 http://scvtalk.com/?p=1684#comment-9264 NickelDime, 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. NickelDime,

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.

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]]> By: We need to get mad http://scvtalk.com/2010/01/28/developing-valencia-the-end-of-an-era%e2%80%94elementary-my-dear-claritan-2/comment-page-1/#comment-9250 We need to get mad Thu, 11 Feb 2010 01:17:49 +0000 http://scvtalk.com/?p=1684#comment-9250 NickelDime- Do you really think it is that hard to connect with a elementary school in another country? Mr. Pak cannot be the only person in our school district that has "ties" to another country. The school board picked Korean because that is what they were directed to do. If they want to get re-elected they have to go to where the money is. This school will drive away people who do not want to speak Korean and only attract people who want to speak Korean or already do. It's as simple as that. As soon as the time comes where they are to introduce another language that was promised the funds will dry up and they will not be able to. Just think how many Korean speaking teachers are excited because they will get to keep their jobs or get a job when other teachers are being laid off because the other 2 schools are closing. THINK ABOUT IT! NickelDime-
Do you really think it is that hard to connect with a elementary school in another country? Mr. Pak cannot be the only person in our school district that has “ties” to another country. The school board picked Korean because that is what they were directed to do. If they want to get re-elected they have to go to where the money is. This school will drive away people who do not want to speak Korean and only attract people who want to speak Korean or already do. It’s as simple as that. As soon as the time comes where they are to introduce another language that was promised the funds will dry up and they will not be able to. Just think how many Korean speaking teachers are excited because they will get to keep their jobs or get a job when other teachers are being laid off because the other 2 schools are closing. THINK ABOUT IT!

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]]> By: Kev http://scvtalk.com/2010/01/28/developing-valencia-the-end-of-an-era%e2%80%94elementary-my-dear-claritan-2/comment-page-1/#comment-9247 Kev Thu, 11 Feb 2010 01:01:56 +0000 http://scvtalk.com/?p=1684#comment-9247 NickelDime, while you are correct in your statement that Korean will be the 1st language you either haven't realized or don't want to admit the repercussions of this type of announcement. 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? NickelDime, while you are correct in your statement that Korean will be the 1st language you either haven’t realized or don’t want to admit the repercussions of this type of announcement.

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?

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]]> By: We need to get mad http://scvtalk.com/2010/01/28/developing-valencia-the-end-of-an-era%e2%80%94elementary-my-dear-claritan-2/comment-page-1/#comment-9204 We need to get mad Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:52:13 +0000 http://scvtalk.com/?p=1684#comment-9204 Of all languages Korean? How does this benefit anyone that is not Korean? Exactly - it doesn't! Spanish, Chinese, even Latin would have been a better choice. Are we just going to hand over this state of the art facility and not voice our opinions? People - it's time to have your voice heard! Why do the students at West Creek get 3 new pilot programs (Performing Arts, Language, and Music) while the rest of our kids are getting nothing? Of all languages Korean? How does this benefit anyone that is not Korean? Exactly – it doesn’t! Spanish, Chinese, even Latin would have been a better choice. Are we just going to hand over this state of the art facility and not voice our opinions? People – it’s time to have your voice heard! Why do the students at West Creek get 3 new pilot programs (Performing Arts, Language, and Music) while the rest of our kids are getting nothing?

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]]> By: SCVTalk.com » Blog Archive » West Creek Academy – “Gateway to the World” http://scvtalk.com/2010/01/28/developing-valencia-the-end-of-an-era%e2%80%94elementary-my-dear-claritan-2/comment-page-1/#comment-9157 SCVTalk.com » Blog Archive » West Creek Academy – “Gateway to the World” Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:53:37 +0000 http://scvtalk.com/?p=1684#comment-9157 [...] (map). On-site tours will be held March 3.  If you can’t wait until March, SCVTalk did an exclusive campus tour late last month. [...] [...] (map). On-site tours will be held March 3.  If you can’t wait until March, SCVTalk did an exclusive campus tour late last month. [...]

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]]> By: SCVTalk.com » Blog Archive » SUSD Holds Meetings, Tours of West Creek Academy http://scvtalk.com/2010/01/28/developing-valencia-the-end-of-an-era%e2%80%94elementary-my-dear-claritan-2/comment-page-1/#comment-8931 SCVTalk.com » Blog Archive » SUSD Holds Meetings, Tours of West Creek Academy Sat, 06 Feb 2010 18:09:06 +0000 http://scvtalk.com/?p=1684#comment-8931 [...] tours, to provide prospective parents with more information on the forthcoming West Creek Academy, a new $35M elementary school in the West Creek / West Hills communities of [...] [...] tours, to provide prospective parents with more information on the forthcoming West Creek Academy, a new $35M elementary school in the West Creek / West Hills communities of [...]

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]]> By: Kev http://scvtalk.com/2010/01/28/developing-valencia-the-end-of-an-era%e2%80%94elementary-my-dear-claritan-2/comment-page-1/#comment-8694 Kev Thu, 04 Feb 2010 01:40:31 +0000 http://scvtalk.com/?p=1684#comment-8694 I've recently learned that the school will open with programs that focus on instrumental music, performing arts, and beginning Korean. Korean? How does that fit with the arts, and of all of the foreign languages available,Korean? I’ve recently learned that the school will open with programs that focus on instrumental music, performing arts, and beginning Korean. Korean? How does that fit with the arts, and of all of the foreign languages available,Korean?

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]]> By: Walker :) http://scvtalk.com/2010/01/28/developing-valencia-the-end-of-an-era%e2%80%94elementary-my-dear-claritan-2/comment-page-1/#comment-8252 Walker :) Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:59:08 +0000 http://scvtalk.com/?p=1684#comment-8252 Yup. I don't understand why they went w/'music' and not the broader 'fine arts' which I would think would be simplier and less expensive to implement effectively, in addition to drawing a larger potential student body. Yup. I don’t understand why they went w/’music’ and not the broader ‘fine arts’ which I would think would be simplier and less expensive to implement effectively, in addition to drawing a larger potential student body.

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