Keep French at JJHS

I am horrified that this is even being considered. Saddened, really. Are we not meant to be an educated evolved community? Is sports the only thing that matters in our schools anymore? My kids both took French! Americans need to speak multiple languages in the new economy!!!

I've never heard of a school with the choice of only one language. Please keep French!

French should always be an option

Hard to believe this is even a consideration. Keep French at John Jay!

The French classes at JJMS are wonderful. My daughter was able to speak conversational French in both Paris and Quebec. She also compares her French class with her friend's French class in Scarsdale and the JJMS program is the winning program! My son has been taken the wonderful French enrichment class at IM and is looking forward to continuing the language in JJMS and eventually JJHS. Please do not remove French from the curriculum. It is a universal language that people continue to speak throughout the world. Offer Latin as a third choice.

My 6th grader absolutely loves French and would be quite upset if it was taken away. We should be encouraging our children's interest in other languages and cultures.

Keep French. Our nearest neighbor is a bilingual nation

it would be really stupid to get rid of such a good program. don't get caught being stupid

I agree that French should be taught in middle school. The ability to speak a second language is an asset to the students weather is French, Spanish, Latin or even Mandarin. We should provide our students with every opportunity we can.

Learning a second language is far more important than many other subjects taught in school. Learning one or more languages is a vital part of becoming an educated person. Sad to think we would cut language programs.

-Latin is coming back to the middle school -French will continue at JJ but it will be minimized -We are losing our french teachers -Less classes and more students in classes (class sizes of 25+) -Students are on the waiting list for honors level French classes because the district will not open up more sections -Students aren't able to begin French 1 at the HS because the district will not run classes with low enrollment -Students in the middle school with learning modifications have to take Spanish because the district will not accommodate their needs

Don't underestimate french's growth. It still and will still keep a preponderous place in global activities.

I am able to make a difference at the governmental level around the world, as a part of the IMF, because I took French at JJHS. How can you expect the next generation of students to be able to make any sort of difference if you don't give them the tools they need? Language is not only useful for communication, but being proficient in speaking with another grammatical structure (and ways of referring to objects and situations) also frames the world in a different perspective. I know 8 languages (including English), and I must say that the most valuable aspect of learning each new language is not that I can communicate with people (though VERY necessary)--instead, it is that I know how their language equips them to frame their perspectives on important issues. There are innumerable research studies illustrating how knowing multiple languages changes the physical structure of our brains. I know, as well, that language skills help with higher level math (as someone who took all the high level math courses in university, I can vouch for this with certainty). To view any language program as a waste of money is to have a very narrow understanding of the repercussions of NOT offering the program. To deny the current and next generation of students such an important skill is debilitating their future and your own future, as a citizen of this nation and in the world. To cut French will be an absolute travesty. I implore you: Don't make this mistake.

I went on to be a French major at Bowdoin College and studied abroad in Grenoble! Keep French (and AP French) at JJHS!

class of 2010 french honors student... use this constantly in my current job and on recent trips to paris in 2013 and 2015

This is an idea that would be penny-wise and pound-foolish. This would damage our school system's reputation for superior education, affecting college acceptance rates, property values, and lagging home sales.

I also took French for five years and I am proud of and enjoy my ability when I travel to Canada and Europe. I'm proud of this petition Jenna has started. Jeremy, my oldest, used it frequently while traveling with the Whiffenpoofs. The French teachers at both the high school and middle school have been outstanding. Daniel, my youngest, takes French now and loves it and is doing great. Please keep French in the program.

Let's be honest: monolingualism is the illiteracy of the 21st century. Not only will a second language help us succeed, but it's necessary to understand cultures other than your own, and during high school, the window for language-learning is closing. The French program at John Jay and its amazing teachers have given me a passion.

My daughter is so much better off for the years of French she was taught in middle school. Starting a language in High School is just too late.

How would cutting French even help reduce the budget? All students still have to take a language. If only Spanish is offered they would have to hire more Spanish teachers. What moron came up with this solution?