Charles O. Dewey (M.S. 136), a middle school located in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, is opening a French Dual Language program this September 2019. Dewey is a school committed to Dual Language learning and believes strongly in promoting equal status and opportunities to connect across languages and cultural backgrounds. The school is currently in its third year of its Spanish Dual Language and excited about introducing a French Dual Language program to the community. In its first year, Dewey’s French Dual Language program will provide its students with 16 periods of French instruction per week in the subject areas of Social Studies, Science and Native Language Arts. The school is still accepting students for September.
I visited the school and talked to its new leader, Amanda Bueno (center of picture below) and her team. I was impressed by their dedication and enthusiasm for this new project. I am sure many families will benefit from what promises to be a great program. Talking about her interest for dual-language education here is what Amanda replied:
"I went into this profession because growing up I heard countless stories from my parents, as well as other adults in family, around the traumas of entering a school system that at the time did not honor their native language, did not support their acquisition of a new language. I am passionate about creating spaces where students feel safe and encouraged to use their native language, where it is valued and honored, and where students acquire language mutually from one another. Dual language is my why, why I am in education, and I look forward to growing the French and Spanish programs at Dewey, and potentially adding a third language next fall."
Beyond providing students with the opportunity to become biliterate and bicultural, Dewey also provides its students with the opportunity to showcase their multimedia artwork and student-created performances throughout the school year. Dewey currently has partnerships with NurtureArt, Aperture, Residency Unlimited, NYSSAA, Groundswell, Leader in Me Foundation, the Pulitzer Center, DiverCity Lens and our in-house CBO Center for Family Life. Through these collaborations, students have participated in art internships around mural execution and curating, art seminars, and workshops that connect them to artists in their community. Academic opportunities as well as opportunities for creativity are limitless through a wide range of extracurricular activities and project-based learning in all content areas.
The school still accepts 6th grade students interested in joining the French Dual-Language program, particularly if they have been exposed to French at home or school.
The school also accepts French book donations to create a French corner in its library. French books in good conditions for middle-schoolers (age 10-14). Delivery address is 4004 4th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11232. Phone: (718) 840-1950.
For more information, contact Amanda Bueno, Dewey's new school leader at: abueno3@schools.nyc.gov
School website: http://ms136brooklyn.com/
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