Posted on 11/14/2014 6:50:43 AM PST by thetallguy24
The Houston school board granted approval Thursday for the district to open one of the nation's first public Arabic immersion elementary schools.
The new school reflects Superintendent Terry Grier's push to graduate more bilingual students. The district opened a Mandarin Chinese immersion school in 2012 and plans to have about 50 schools with Spanish dual-language programs next year after doubling the number last year.
"The fact is, America is a really terrible example of learning two languages," said school board member Harvin Moore, who sends his 10-year-old son to the Mandarin school. "I'm proud of the fact this district has done something about it."
The Arabic school, to be housed at the old Holden Elementary near the greater Heights area, will start small next year, with slots for nearly 90 kindergarten and pre-kindergarten students. Officials with the Houston Independent School District said instruction will be split evenly between Arabic and English.
"It's fabulous. It will open a lot of opportunities," said Lina Sabouni, chairwoman of the education committee of the Bilateral US-Arab Chamber of Commerce Houston chapter.
Sabouni, who spoke Arabic growing up in Turkey, said the school was a great fit for Houston, with its diversity and nickname as the energy capital of the world. She said her own children didn't learn the language until college.
"Can you imagine starting early on?" she asked.
The greater Houston region has seen its Arabic-speaking population grow by more than a third since 2009, to 23,300 people last year.
HISD officials said the old Holden campus would require renovations, but they have not provided a cost estimate or requested start-up funding for the program. The board agenda item said the budget would be determined before next school year.
Trustees, who unanimously approved the Arabic school, said they expected it to generate strong interest from parents and students.
"I know it will be a success," said HISD trustee Greg Meyers.
Can't be done.
This country is desperately trying to commit suicide, why is Texas helping?
Islam is being taught in US schools through common core
Massachusetts Public Schools Teaching the Shahada: ‘There Is No God But Allah’
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3220682/posts
http://pamelageller.com/2014/10/massachusetts-public-schools-teaching-the-shahada-there-is-no-god-but-allah.html/
PARENTS PULL SON FROM CLASS BECAUSE SCHOOL IS TEACHING ISLAM
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3222011/posts
http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-California/2014/10/31/Parents-Pull-Son-From-Class-Because-School-Is-Teaching-Islam
Marine Dad Barred from School over Protest of Islam Curriculum
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3222450/posts
http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-California/2014/11/02/Marine-Dad-Barred-from-School-over-Protest-of-Islam-Curriculum
Parent banned from La Plata [Maryland] HS after Islam homework dispute
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3220202/posts
http://www.somdnews.com/article/20141027/NEWS/141029296/1074/parent-banned-from-la-plata-hs-after-islam-homework-dispute&template=southernMaryland
School’s Nation of Islam handout paints Founding Fathers as racists [Tennessee]
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3220687/posts
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2014/10/27/school-nation-islam-handout-paints-founding-fathers-as-racists/#.VE_zSJ1wgKo.email
[Tennessee]
Common Core Lesson Plans: A call to Jihad, Converting to Islam, 5 Pillars of Islam, submitting to the Will of Allah
http://bradleycountynews.wordpress.com/2013/08/20/common-core-lesson-plans-a-call-to-jihad-converting-to-islam-5-pillars-of-islam-submitting-to-the-will-of-allah/
“Public Schools Introduce Islam” In Mississippi
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3213468/posts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYDTL4N8y4k
Mother Stunned at Her Daughter’s Class Assignment on ISLAM
http://toprightnews.com/?p=6335
For more info:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/3227490/posts?page=19#19
very useful list of links . . .thank you.
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