Support After School Japanese Language and Culture Class at Clarendon Elementary School

For the following reasons, we the undersigned are requesting that Kotoba + Culture be permitted space at Clarendon Elementary School from M-F 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm for the 2018-2019 school year.

*JBBP was established in 1973 to preserve and share the legacy of Japanese Americans and Japanese language and culture with future generations who are interested in regaining the cultural identity that had been lost in the aftermath of forced internment. Kotoba + Culture supports the vision of JBBP.

*Central in SFUSD Vision 2025 is helping students discover, pursue, and realize their motivating "sparks" - those activities and interests that help them express their personalities and can set the trajectory for the rest of their lives. Japanese language supports the SFUSD Graduate Profile of equipping students with the skills they need to succeed in a changing world. This includes the learning of new languages.

*SFUSD currently supports Rosa Parks and Clarendon JBBP programs with Japanese language and culture enrichment by providing school bus services to Pine After School at ABC Preschool (RP) and Nihonmachi Little Friends (RP and CL). Because of the later dismissal and travel time, Clarendon students have limited access to these programs putting them at a disadvantage when merging programs at Presidio Middle School. Kotoba + Culture would help balance this disparity.

*A Japanese Language after school program aligns with Vision 2025 by providing students and families support in language acquisition during Clarendon's "off hours" (Schools as Centers of Community Life) Kotoba + Culture Supports this goal.

*Given the new set-aside of 10 Japanese language spots, native and non-native speakers need opportunities to improve their language skills. Both the native language speakers and the non-native speakers benefit from the set aside as language is exchanged in the classroom and on the playground. Further enrichment in the native speakers' home language will benefit all students in the school day program with a richer vocabulary in the Japanese language. Non-native speakers are also welcome and will have an opportunity to explore the language beyond the school day.

*In round one of school assignments, data shows that 24 Japanese language speakers chose Clarendon as their first choice while 41 native speakers listed it as one of their top choices. Japanese speaking students will have support in maintaining their heritage language skills while extending it through the incorporation of higher level vocabulary, spoken and written language including hiragana, katakana, and kanji.  This extra support will help put them on the path towards SFUSD's Seal of Bilteracy, approved by the Board in 2010. 

*With the passage of Proposition 58, SFUSD can further expand their creative thinking around bilingual education. Piloting innovative programs is essential to the growth process.

*The Second Community After-Care program has a waiting list for entry. Like the Second Community After-Care program, Kotoba + Culture offers after school enrichment from a Clarendon parent.

* There is significant interest from families, particularly those families with one Japanese parent.  We live in a dominant culture and multiracial children often struggle with identity.  By providing our children with a safe and welcoming environment to learn Japanese language and culture during their critical period of language development, we are sending the message that their Japanese heritage is also something to celebrate.  

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