" Dennis- you are so very much right on. I've said this for years, I would say most of the parents who don't know english and don't want to learn, some have been here years, won't log onto the computer. Figure out how much we will be spending, that money should be spent in the classroom. My daughter had to buy glue sticks for her daughters classroom. Just something else to waste our moey on. "

" Just for clarification: the report cards are not online for the parents to look at on their computers. This system enables the teachers to fill out the report cards on their computer, translate them as needed, and print them for the parents to peruse.

But why would you NOT want non-English speaking parents to know how their kids are doing in school? Sure we could get a program that translates to other languages, but how many families would that impact? "

" Conduct official business in English, but keep native languages alive at home. What is so difficult about this? "

" Supposedly, these people come to this country to give their children a better life... So why then do they refuse to speak English at home....???

The ESL kids are dragging down all students in their classes because parents won't assimilate as fluent English speakers...

Catering to them in Spanish is simply enabling their language disability... The tail is wagging the dog at NVUSD...

Don't get me started on the three-week holiday break at Christmas either...

Call the NVUSD... "Press two for English." "

" Im so glad the author used the term "forefathers". It gives us an accurate dipiction of history, rather than the gender sensitive language that ive seen so ofen in the nvr. The words founding fathers is often replaced with the word " framers".You cant change history! "

" I agree with winemd. How many non-English-speaking Italian or French families do we have in the district? And anyway, don't we want these parents involved no matter what language they speak? I'd say that's more important than a "learn to speak English" agenda--although I have found that there are far more Hispanic families at PTA meetings than non-Hispanic families, so maybe it's a non-issue.

I know a lot of Hispanic people who, even though they speak or are learning English, cannot read it or have not yet learned it. You can't expect parents who haven't learned English yet to teach their children English or to speak to them in English; it's not realistic. Assuming that this is catering to a group of people who "refuse to learn English" IS racist. I'm sorry, I know I'll get flak for saying that, but let's face it--this person is assuming that since this program is translatable into Spanish, the school district is "catering" to the Hispanic population, and somehow "allowing" them to not learn English.

If we're mandating that everyone learn the "native" language of a place in order to live there, then our forefathers should have focused on learning the Native American tongues. Our forefathers didn't "learn to speak English" before coming to America. Some of them (not all) already spoke it. There IS NO OFFICIAL LANGUAGE. That's the beauty of America. There's no official language, race, or religion. Everyone is free to speak whatever language they choose and to practice whatever religion they choose. The country does not "belong" to people who speak English or who look Anglo-Saxon, and it never did. The term "melting pot" does not mean that everyone has to assimilate into the same language, religion, and way of life. It means diversity. "

" $2,500 for each of 23 schools = $57,500. Another waste of funds like throwing away perfectly good furniture. This is more proof that our schools have too much money and can cut their budgets easily. "

" We have farr too many people who allow ideology to over rule practicality. The author clearly has more of a problem with Spanish speakers (that is Mexicans) than he does with the translations as an idea. The fact is that a huge part of Napa's students come from homes where Spanish is the primary language. If we want ALL of our students to perform well (we DO want that, right?), then it seems that it is in our best interests to encourage parent participation.

Eyes on the prize, guys. We want better performance from our students. "

" Perhaps those parents who don't speak, read nor understand English should be offered a "quick course in basic English"...a lot cheaper than having every document printed in English and Spanish (waste of paper, ink, and time), besides, most of the times the translation is so awful that I almost "feel offended" by the attempt. "

" Spanish speaking parents can go to adult ed and learn english. I have seen kids that go to a esl school being picked up or met by parents and the parents speak to them in spanish. I have a friend whose mother speaks spanish and not a work of english and has been here for years. There is no reason for parents to learn english because everything is given to them in spanish. "

" funnyme: while that is a good idea, the translation program would be cheaper.

kbf: That may be true, but as immigrants learned in the late 19th and early 20th century, the path to success is through English. You're just repeating the anti-immigrant lines of that time. "

" I think it is much easier to learn how to speak English than to read or, even worse, write it (look at the spelling/punctuation in some of the NVR comments from native English speakers for example). I remember when my daughter was about 5 and she asked me how to spell the numbers. By the time we got to eight, she looked at me like I was nuts! Most of the Spanish speakers I know can get by speaking English, although they feel pretty embarrased by their mistakes, but reading it is hard. I agree that offering courses is a great thing. Our school had a Spanish/English conversation group going. Most of the time, the Spanish speakers were trying harder than the English speakers. I don't think that encouraging good communication about their kids' education will cause them to stop trying to learn English. At least that is my experience. "

" My father was one of 16 kids on a ranch in New Mexico. Grandma (1887-1976)spoke only Spanish although she was born within 20 miles of where she died right here is the USA. She understood everything, but wouldn't speak the language. Grandpa (12 years her senior) spoke English, French and Spanish. The kids spoke Spanish as toddlers, but by they time they were 3 years old...English was the official family language. My grandparents knew that this was their future. My grandpa built a school on his ranch for his kids and others in the area, and the oldest daughters were the teachers. Those kids ALL went to college; there are 8 educators, an Air Force Col., successful businessmen and women, and a couple who were in State politics during the 60's. Point is...if English wasn't mandated, I absolutely believe that my "forefathers/mothers" would not have fared so well in life. The ability to communicate with the rest of your community is a basic need, and should be encouraged at every level. "

" To Dwayne... Press 2 for English... I agree... With the others about French, Italian etc.. I also agree.. What about this Nations true Natives... If we need to have translation from English to Spanish.. Then I suggest English to Cherokee, Souix, Blackfoot, etc.? "

" justnana, very good point. I read a book several years ago about the incorporation of a common cultural identity into our educational system. Wish I could remember the name of the book. Basically it suggested that we all learn the same thing so that we could identify with each other. A common cultural identity helps hold our social fabric together.

On the other hand, I then read a book called "Dumbing Us Down" which offered contrary views. Basically it suggested that we encourage programs which allow us to think outside the box.

How can we both think outside the box and maintain a single cultural identity which is strong enough to hold the social fabric together? We do not want robots but we can't have separate boxes distributed all over the place without a common thread either.

Right now what I see are boxes filled with eubonics and other invented cultural identities. Another invented cultural identity is emerging which is very apparent when reading the NVR gang threads. Young people are PURPOSELY using language inappropriately. It's almost as though it's not cool to speak straight English anymore. An intentional weakening of the language thread is occurring and it's very transparent; not hidden away on some backstreet.

The necessity of requiring ONE strong use of language is important otherwise the strings which connect all of those separate boxes is weakened.

Learning another language is GOOD for the brain btw. My point is not to discourage speaking second languages. It's just that we need to enforce the proper use of ONE language so that we all have at least some common ground among us.

Think about this: when you hear people speaking another language do you feel distanced from them on some level? "