Parents of pilot at Dryden Elementary School in Arlington Heights were so pleased with pilot language classes in Spanish and French that the program has been extended. The program, Children’s Academy of Language, offers the two classes for an hour before school on Fridays starting at 7:55 a.m. and after school on Thursdays beginning at 3:45 p.m.
The cost for the first eight weeks of classes, which began in January, was $77 plus a $10 registration fee. The six-week extension will cost $50.Positive responses by parents on a survey about the program prompted District 25 to extend it.
“The parent role is very important,” said Robert Jares, Dryden principal, who noted that several parents requested that children bring home vocabulary lists and suggested activities they can do at home.
The program is coordinated by Harper Community College in Palatine at no cost to District 25.
Jares told the school board last week that 99 students, or about 24 percent of Dryden’s population, participated in the first eight-week session and that 75 have continued for the current six-week session and are continuing for the extension. The teaching method, called “total physical response,” uses games and activities.
“It’s not a substitute for a regular program, but it’s better than nothing.” District 25 Supt. Alan Simon said.
