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Chinese classes are a colorful celebration of learning

Chinese teacher Yiyi Gallant shows some of her Harrison Elementary School students how to move the dragon around during a Feb. 17 parade around the school. Students showed what they’ve been learning in the Chinese program, which is offered at Harrison and Roosevelt elementary schools. Terry Mayer/staff.

JANESVILLE -- Students at Janesville's Harrison and Roosevelt elementary schools showed off their skills in a special performance last week. But there was a colorful, cultural twist -- they did it all in Chinese.

The third- through fifth-graders put on a performance to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Their program featured songs, a skit and a parade around school. They even learned about the 12 animals that make up the Chinese zodiac.

The show was done through the Chinese program, which started at the beginning of the school year as an optional class at the two schools.

The program caused controversy last year when it was presented to school board members as a mandatory program. The board ultimately chose to make it optional.

Donna Behn, director of instruction for the School District of Janesville, said the program is going well in its first year, but 70 out of 356 students have opted out at the two schools. Students who opt out spend the time working on other core subjects.

Behn said the last-minute changes made it difficult to have everything ready at the beginning of the school year.

“We decided we were going to start fresh,” she said. “We had to spend time making revisions. That was a huge task. We needed to inform parents, and we realize that was a last-minute thing.”

Read the full story in the Feb. 24, 2010 Wednesday Janesville Messenger, HERE.