Parkway Middle School Students Attend Presentation On Language Study Choices
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On February 10, Parkway Middle School students attended a presentation, educating them on their language study choices for seventh grade. Next year, students will have the opportunity to choose between American Sign Language (ASL), Spanish or French. Students will be meeting with their school counselor Mrs. Casler and making decisions in the upcoming weeks to solidify their language choice for next year!
ASL teacher Miss Shepard shared important information, including reasons students may be interested in learning ASL, the possibility of continuing on with language to earn college credit and the Seal of Biliteracy, as well as potential career options. World Language Department Chair Karen Dean introduced the middle school faculty: Sra. Discavage (Spanish), Sra. Jennings (Spanish), Srta. Murphy (Spanish) and Mme. Rowley (French and Spanish). The teachers explained that, like ASL, the programs are all two years in length, and at the end of students’ year in eighth grade, they will take a Checkpoint A exam to earn credit to graduate high school. If they continue with their language education in high school, they too have the ability to earn college credit and be awarded with the Seal of Biliteracy. Students have the ability to receive the Pathway Award at the middle school, in recognition of the hard work and dedication they have shown in the learning of their new language.
The instructors presented further information about travel, culture, cuisine and in-class projects and field trips that students may learn about or have the privilege to partake in. When choosing a language, it is important to think about the help each language might provide, relating to travel, family connections, future occupation or sports/hobbies. Students and guardians are encouraged to review the slideshows and brochure linked below to further the discussion about language choice at home.