Editor’s Note: This has been a developing story which will be continued in a second article.
It’s that time when students are starting to schedule their classes for next year. But sadly, at Emerson Junior-Senior High School, it was announced to all that the Italian program is ending. Students will not have the option to pick this class for their schedules, and will have to resort to learn Spanish instead. Students wonder if a new series of courses will be put in its place.
Students feel many mixed emotions about this message. Some students have claimed this is unfair since high schools usually require two years of a language to graduate. With the Italian program ending, students question what’s going to happen to those who have not taken two years of a consecutive language while in the Italian program. Will they have to start over with Spanish? The Italian program is well loved in EHS, and students wanted to continue learning with Sra.Habib.
Allie DeOrio stated, “I feel very confused as to why the program is ending because I, as well as many of my peers, enjoy Italian class. I have not heard one negative remark about the program, and I believe the efforts that are being made to save and combat the removal of the Italian program speak volumes to how much it impacts the Emerson Junior-Senior High School community.”
Lily Downing made a petition fighting to save the Italian program. She commented, “I started a petition to get the program back, as well as the teacher back, into the classroom.”
Both students have shown their enjoyment of the Italian class and shared its reputation as a strong program. Their opinions show how much students want to keep learning about Italian. This program is very important to them and many others.
Another big question involving the Italian program is, where is the Italian Club going?
Allie DeOrio explained, “I think the Italian Club won’t be a thing anymore because there most likely won’t be a teacher to run it. This is very upsetting because we do fun things like go to Eataly, hold fundraisers like the mixer, and bake sales.”
Even though the Italian program is ending, many students are passionate about trying to keep the program alive.
