April 21, 2020
Dear Dr. Geoff Yantz,
We hope you are well and staying safe.
In midst of changes in learning platform and budget needs, many parents have expressed concerns of learning arrangement in the coming year.
We wanted to address some concerns of parents whose children are or will be in the Chinese class 2020-2021. We urge the board to keep the reasonable and important service for the Chinese program in SPHS based on the enrollment and the beauty of the program. Here is the tentative registration record for 2020-2021 as of March 31st, 2020.
Currently, we have 165 students enrolled in school year 2019-2020. We are estimating 160 -165 student registration for 2020-2021. The class size cap for AP Chinese is 15 and 7/8H 15 and for other Chinese level classes, the cap is 36. But average size of Spanish and French courses in high school is around 25. Therefore, based on the estimated registration and the average of class size, we should have 7 classes in year 2020-2021.
The number will go up in May due to the popularity of the program. In addition to the classroom learning, students were given overseas travel learning opportunity in Spring 2019 with the delegation led by our own Chinese teacher. If the board reduces 0.40 F.T.E service of the program, then there will be only 5 sessions remained for 2020-2021. Therefore, we are seriously concerned about how the program will meet our students’ needs:
- Large class size and combination of different level classes. How will the district place these 165 students in 5 sessions?
- Some students will be discouraged to take a desired Chinese language class because of limited sessions, and schedule conflicts. Some students may not have a space in a desired class.
- We are requesting an equal or smaller class size as other language and culture classes such as Spanish and French class in order to ensure equitable treatment of all language and culture classes.
- All language and culture classes in SPHS should be given in a standard and fair learning environment in order for students to thrive in learning.
Thank you for your time and consideration!
South Pasadena Parents signature:
(Parent’s signatures are electronically submitted due to COVID-19 social distancing order).
Print name: Print name:
________________________, ________________________
Sign here: Sign here:
________________________ _________________________
Updates
April 30, 2020
The volume of support has now reached a level that necessitates an immediate review by the school board. I am formalizing our data regarding enrollment trends to present during the upcoming public hearing.
Reached 100 supporters
April 30, 2020
36 Comments
This is just to keep a teacher teaching 2 classes. not to kick out the Chinese program.
We need to keep the Mandarin language option as a vital part of the curriculum. China is a country that we will be conducting significant business and a major player in the global economy. Knowing the Mandarin language will be an advantage to students who learn it.
My daughter also really love the Chinese classes. It is a very common and important language that many people use, so it is very helpful. Plz do not reduce the class sizes.
both of my high school sons loves Chinese class, and they plan to take Chinese class in every school year. so please don't reduce Chinese classes. we love them!
See below is what my son said: "As a student from SPHS that had taken Chinese classes for 3 years, my only comment for this program is that it is absolutely amazing. There should be no reason to remove this program because it is great. The students are always having a great time in the class learning Chinese and doing extremely fun activities. The teachers are extremely caring for the students and no matter what the occasion is, they're also there to help students that are struggling and make sure that they keep up. So this program is a must keep class for this school because I don't think anyone had a bad time in a Chinese class from my past experience. "
Chinese class matters!!! SPUSD board member is lying ! !!
Support Adequate Learning Opportunity for Chinese Language Classes. Explore supplemental enrichment opportunity for Chinese Cultural and Language learning lab and club. Innovate learning opportunity to allow all student to achieve quality education.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
By signing, you accept our Terms and Privacy Policy and agree to occasional emails about petitions. Unsubscribe anytime.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
April 21, 2020
Dear Dr. Geoff Yantz,
We hope you are well and staying safe.
In midst of changes in learning platform and budget needs, many parents have expressed concerns of learning arrangement in the coming year.
We wanted to address some concerns of parents whose children are or will be in the Chinese class 2020-2021. We urge the board to keep the reasonable and important service for the Chinese program in SPHS based on the enrollment and the beauty of the program. Here is the tentative registration record for 2020-2021 as of March 31st, 2020.
Currently, we have 165 students enrolled in school year 2019-2020. We are estimating 160 -165 student registration for 2020-2021. The class size cap for AP Chinese is 15 and 7/8H 15 and for other Chinese level classes, the cap is 36. But average size of Spanish and French courses in high school is around 25. Therefore, based on the estimated registration and the average of class size, we should have 7 classes in year 2020-2021.
The number will go up in May due to the popularity of the program. In addition to the classroom learning, students were given overseas travel learning opportunity in Spring 2019 with the delegation led by our own Chinese teacher. If the board reduces 0.40 F.T.E service of the program, then there will be only 5 sessions remained for 2020-2021. Therefore, we are seriously concerned about how the program will meet our students’ needs:
- Large class size and combination of different level classes. How will the district place these 165 students in 5 sessions?
- Some students will be discouraged to take a desired Chinese language class because of limited sessions, and schedule conflicts. Some students may not have a space in a desired class.
- We are requesting an equal or smaller class size as other language and culture classes such as Spanish and French class in order to ensure equitable treatment of all language and culture classes.
- All language and culture classes in SPHS should be given in a standard and fair learning environment in order for students to thrive in learning.
Thank you for your time and consideration!
South Pasadena Parents signature:
(Parent’s signatures are electronically submitted due to COVID-19 social distancing order).
Print name: Print name:
________________________, ________________________
Sign here: Sign here:
________________________ _________________________
Updates
April 30, 2020
The volume of support has now reached a level that necessitates an immediate review by the school board. I am formalizing our data regarding enrollment trends to present during the upcoming public hearing.
Reached 100 supporters
April 30, 2020
36 Comments
Please don't shorten the Chinese program!!! it's just as important as any other class and it's very valuable. Especially now, Chinese is becoming a common spoken language and is being used in the business field a lot. It's a valuable skill to have. I've personally learned SO much in Ms. Chengs' class and it saddening to hear that a lot of kids wont be able to experience the same. Nonetheless, please reconsider in what you are doing!!!
This is just to keep a teacher teaching 2 classes. not to kick out the Chinese program.
We need to keep the Mandarin language option as a vital part of the curriculum. China is a country that we will be conducting significant business and a major player in the global economy. Knowing the Mandarin language will be an advantage to students who learn it.
My daughter also really love the Chinese classes. It is a very common and important language that many people use, so it is very helpful. Plz do not reduce the class sizes.
both of my high school sons loves Chinese class, and they plan to take Chinese class in every school year. so please don't reduce Chinese classes. we love them!
See below is what my son said: "As a student from SPHS that had taken Chinese classes for 3 years, my only comment for this program is that it is absolutely amazing. There should be no reason to remove this program because it is great. The students are always having a great time in the class learning Chinese and doing extremely fun activities. The teachers are extremely caring for the students and no matter what the occasion is, they're also there to help students that are struggling and make sure that they keep up. So this program is a must keep class for this school because I don't think anyone had a bad time in a Chinese class from my past experience. "
Chinese class matters!!! SPUSD board member is lying ! !!
Support Adequate Learning Opportunity for Chinese Language Classes. Explore supplemental enrichment opportunity for Chinese Cultural and Language learning lab and club. Innovate learning opportunity to allow all student to achieve quality education.
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach 250 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via .
Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
By signing, you accept our Terms and Privacy Policy and agree to occasional emails about petitions. Unsubscribe anytime.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
Please don't shorten the Chinese program!!! it's just as important as any other class and it's very valuable. Especially now, Chinese is becoming a common spoken language and is being used in the business field a lot. It's a valuable skill to have. I've personally learned SO much in Ms. Chengs' class and it saddening to hear that a lot of kids wont be able to experience the same. Nonetheless, please reconsider in what you are doing!!!