NYC Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña came to P.S. 20 on the Lower East Side yesterday to announce an expansion of the city’s pre-kindergarten dual language program.
Starting next fall, there will be twice as many pre-k dual language programs. P.S. 20 already offers a Mandarin program from pre-K through 5th grade, and Dual Language Spanish from kindergarten through 2nd grade. Beginning next year, P.S. 20 will also offer Dual Language Spanish to pre-K students.
In a statement, Fariña said, “Being able to speak and read in a different language, and understand a different culture, is a game-changer for our kids. That’s why we are more than doubling the number of New York City’s pre-K Dual Language programs – meeting the needs of our kids and families, and giving more of our children a critical early foundation in not just one language, but two.”
P.S. 20’s principal, Sarah Pinto, added, “Dual Language classes have been a tremendous asset to our school community, and we’re thrilled to be expanding our program to include pre-K Dual Language in Spanish. Through our Dual Language classes, students learn to embrace a new language and a new culture, setting them up for success in the diverse, multicultural world in which we live.”
In addition to P.S. 20, P.S. 1 (Alfred E. Smith School) will be adding a dual language program in Chinese. P.S. 188 (The Island School) already offers a Spanish program.
Have a look at the Department of Education’s Pre-K Finder for more details.
