ROCKFORD (WREX) -
Rockford School District 205 wants to know what it can do to help students trying to bridge the language gap.
For many students classes can be hard enough, but when you add in not knowing the native language it only gets harder.
That's why District 205 is reaching out to those families to find out what the district needs to improve to make learning easier for all students.
Parents like Deborah Garcia call tonight's meeting a chance to tell the district what changes they want to see. She's happy for the opportunity.
"Sometimes they make changes and don't ask our opinion and it affects us in a lot of ways," said Garcia.
Deborah's son goes to Barbour Language Academy which she says is helping preserve their culture.
"If they don't have this program then they don't learn Spanish, and they lose Spanish even though they speak it at home," Garcia added.
Barbour Principal Ivelisse Rosas Barber works to not only help students master their native language, but be fluent in another.
"And we immerse them in a second language which is Spanish so our goal is to have those kids bilingual so they can read and write in both languages," said Barber.
Administrators say it's important to involve parents in decisions about the program.
Martha Hayes Assistant Superintendent for learning
"We wanted to know what we can do better for your child in some cases where students have a long way to go, would you like to see your child go to school closer to home and third would you like to see another dual language program like the one here at Barbour," said Hayes.
Kids from kindergarten through 8th grade can go to Barbour. They have to take a test to get in. Many of the parents told 13 NEWS they'd be happy to see another dual language program in the district.
