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Hispanics Sue Over English-Only Rule at Catholic School
fox news via AP ^ | Wednesday, May 21, 2008 | AP

Posted on 05/21/2008 7:44:18 AM PDT by steel_resolve

WICHITA, Kan. — Four Hispanic families are suing St. Anne's Catholic School over a policy that requires students to speak English at all times while at school.

The lawsuit, filed Monday, calls for an end to the policy and asks for an order barring similar policies at other diocese schools. It seeks the return of one student to the school who was allegedly kicked out for refusing to sign the "English only" pledge. And it asks for court costs and unspecified damages for discrimination and emotional suffering.

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: catholic; english; hispandering; immigration; only; school
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To: brytlea

I have not worked at a school. Do kids usually assimilate on the playground? Don’t they group with their friends or others of the same ethnic group?


41 posted on 05/21/2008 8:29:00 AM PDT by purpleraine
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To: contemplator

The Constitution was written to tell the FEDERAL GOVT what they could and could not do. A private enterprise, in theory, can do basically what it wants. If a Mexican restaurant decided no one could speak English there, yes, people have the right to boycott. Why is it the courts business?

susie


42 posted on 05/21/2008 8:29:17 AM PDT by brytlea (amnesty--an act of clemency by an authority by which pardon is granted esp. to a group of individual)
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To: purpleraine

To some extent. However, if they cannot communicate with other children, you have almost assured they won’t interact with them. Kids (and adults) do what is easy. Assimilation should be job one.

susie


43 posted on 05/21/2008 8:32:22 AM PDT by brytlea (amnesty--an act of clemency by an authority by which pardon is granted esp. to a group of individual)
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To: purpleraine

I agree.


44 posted on 05/21/2008 8:40:30 AM PDT by stuartcr (Election year.....Who we gonna hate, in '08?)
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To: Wonder Warthog

Absolutely true. My wife and I signed up our son for a “dual immersion” program at our school. Starting in Kindergarten, 90% of the school day is completely in Spanish. It gradually moves up to 50-50 by fifth grade.

My son is almost seven (first grade), and he is fluent in Spanish. He has conversations with people who stand amazed that this little toe-head understands what they’re saying. And we don’t speak a word of Spanish to him at home.

His English skills are way above grade level, too. His brain is working in a different manner than it would have if he were in and English-only classroom. I think the program is a total sham for kids who don’t speak English (50% of the class), but for kids like my son, it’s spectacular.

I took four years of Spanish in High School and College, and worked as a cop in South Central L.A., speaking lots of Spanish, and I can’t keep up with him.


45 posted on 05/21/2008 8:44:27 AM PDT by hoppity
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To: steel_resolve

It’s a private school. If you don’t like it, send your kids to school elsewhere.


46 posted on 05/21/2008 8:45:21 AM PDT by MEGoody (Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall cause you to vote against the Democrats.)
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To: stuartcr
It just sounds like a stupid rule to me.

Sounds like a wise rule to me. If the parents want their kids to grow up in this country, then the kids need to learn the language and learn it well if they hope to achieve the 'American dream.'

47 posted on 05/21/2008 8:47:52 AM PDT by MEGoody (Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall cause you to vote against the Democrats.)
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To: steel_resolve

By the fact its a private school to begin with, I say the adminstration simply tell these families... don’t come back.

Hopefully the priest at the parish sponsoring this school isn’t some leftist social justice type and will tell these fools to get bent.


48 posted on 05/21/2008 8:49:21 AM PDT by HamiltonJay
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To: MEGoody

OK


49 posted on 05/21/2008 8:50:51 AM PDT by stuartcr (Election year.....Who we gonna hate, in '08?)
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To: contemplator
How would people feel if they went to a Mexican restaurant in Miami, USA and were told that they weren’t allowed to speak English there?

I would spend my money at a different restaurant. . .no big deal.

They would likely boycott the place and see if there was any legal action they could take to prevent such blatant discrimination.

Whining lefties might pursue legal action. Conservatives wouldn't because they know it is a private business and they have the right to choose how to run it.

50 posted on 05/21/2008 8:51:42 AM PDT by MEGoody (Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall cause you to vote against the Democrats.)
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To: MEGoody
How would people feel if they went to a Mexican restaurant in Miami,

1. Mexican food in Miami sucks, especially when you can get great Cuban/Colombian/Venezuelan food, to say nothing of the Argentinean steakhouses/Italian joints.

2. I would just take my business elsewhere. No big F'in deal.

51 posted on 05/21/2008 8:54:28 AM PDT by Clemenza (Why do I Find Myself Attracted to Amy Winehouse?)
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To: stuartcr

Speaking other languages at school is not only divisive but it is also rude. It allows students to individuate by ethnic groups and further prevents assimilation which is vital not only to the success of the children but also of the school, the community and our nation.

And if the kids can’t learn English at school because they are allowed to keep speaking Spanish there, then they are wasting their time going to school since they won’t be speaking English at home either.

And since when do Americans have a language other than English as ‘(their) language’?

If these kids want to speak Latin, I could certainly understand a Catholic School making that an exception.


52 posted on 05/21/2008 9:03:36 AM PDT by bpjam (Drill For Oil or Lose Your Job!! Vote Nov 3, 2008)
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To: steel_resolve

Invaders who should be treated as such.


53 posted on 05/21/2008 9:08:00 AM PDT by isrul (Help make every day, "Disrespect a muzzie day.")
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To: ROLF of the HILL COUNTRY
My daughter attended a Caholic (International) School in Japan. The kids spoke a variety of languages including Japanese, Hindi, Korean and others. The school also had an "English only" ruling and explained their reasoning the first day of orientation-- they didn't want cliques, they didn't want opposing groups, they wanted a student body who got along and a faculty who understood them.

Languages other than English were allowed only in the respective foreign language classrooms.

There were a few parents who did not speak English who had the policy explained to them through translators. While the rest of us just listened, these parents actually applauded the policy!

The kids spoke whatever language they wanted off the school grounds, but got a gentle but swift reminder about the policy whenever they slipped while on school grounds. The policy was very successful in acheiving the desired result-- the kids got along very well, there were no cliques and my daughter, who attended 4th thru 9th grade in that school, still counts former classmates there among her closest friends.

Question: If this policy worked so well in Japan, where English is a minority language, who wouldn't it work in America?

54 posted on 05/21/2008 9:11:27 AM PDT by Vigilanteman ((Are there any men left in Washington? Or are there only cowards? Ahmad Shah Massoud))
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To: contemplator
How would people feel if they went to a Mexican restaurant in Miami, USA and were told that they weren’t allowed to speak English there?

I've got news for you: there are many Mexican-run establishments in the United States where I wouldn't go in without a Hispanic friend because some of the patrons do not like gringos.

55 posted on 05/21/2008 9:15:58 AM PDT by Vigilanteman ((Are there any men left in Washington? Or are there only cowards? Ahmad Shah Massoud))
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To: nutmeg

bookmark


56 posted on 05/21/2008 9:17:01 AM PDT by nutmeg (Obama supporters: Drink the Kool-Aid? Yes we can!)
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To: stuartcr

This is a private school. They make the rules. If the kids/parents don’t like the rules they can take their arse elsewhere.


57 posted on 05/21/2008 9:18:12 AM PDT by ohioman
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To: bpjam

While they may certainly speak ‘their language’, as in parents native language at home, they are certainly not wasting their time. They will have to be able to speak english at some point in their life.


58 posted on 05/21/2008 9:27:43 AM PDT by stuartcr (Election year.....Who we gonna hate, in '08?)
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To: ohioman

As I said a number of times, I agree.


59 posted on 05/21/2008 9:28:59 AM PDT by stuartcr (Election year.....Who we gonna hate, in '08?)
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To: steel_resolve

Can illegals sue?


60 posted on 05/21/2008 9:31:53 AM PDT by Sig Sauer P220
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