Petition for Mandarin Immersion Program at Feinstein Elementary School
We, the undersigned residents of San Francisco, CA, petition the San Francisco Unified School District and Board of Education to implement a Mandarin Chinese Immersion Program, on the West side of the city, ideally located at Dianne Feinstein Parkside Elementary school for the 2006-07 school year. The demand for Mandarin Immersion has grown significantly city-wide as families consider the changing world and their own childrens future. To adequately address these existing needs, we feel that a program must be established on the Western side of the city where demand is particularly high and community support is very strong.
Why Mandarin?
Why is Mandarin Important for San Francisco?
Assume leadership position in teaching children Mandarin. The City and its population should be playing an international role as a center for business and culture.
San Francisco should initiate multiple Mandarin Immersion programs that are outstanding and accessible to all children in the City.
Why Dianne Feinstein School as site for Mandarin Immersion?
Site Accessibility The district has recently agreed to start a Mandarin Immersion program for Fall 2006 at Starr King school on the far east side of the City. Thus we strongly advocate starting another, concurrent program on the West side. The Feinstein school is an ideal location.
Size Feinstein is a new and large school, which can easily handle initiation of a Mandarin immersion strand without displacement of existing students, programs, or teachers.
Preparing Children for the 21st Century What better way to prepare our children for the new century than to give them the ability to speak what is and will continue to be one of the most internationally important languages for commerce and trade.
