Plainfield Students Can Learn Chinese This Summer

District 202 students this summer will be able to learn about Chinese culture and language through a special immersion program being held June 5 to July 2, 2014 at Plainfield North High School, 12005 S. 248th Street, Plainfield. 

District 202 will offer not-for-credit beginner Chinese classes as part of summer school, through “STARTALKing”, a federal government-subsidized language program. This is the fourth year that District 202 has offered the special summer program.

The courses will be open to District 202 students who will be in 4th through 9th grades in fall 2014. Classes will run from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Participants will:

• Get a head start learning to read, write, speak, listen to and type Chinese;
• Develop a global vision, sensitivity to foreign cultures, and lifelong interest in learning Chinese;
• Participate in a fulfilling and enriching learning experience.

Registration is $80 (nonrefundable). Please pay by check to Plainfield School District 202. A maximum of two classes with 14 students each will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. The registration deadline is May 30.

STARTALKing approached District 202 in 2011 to host the Chinese language program, as it has done at several Chicago-area school districts. The program has been well received each of its first two years in District 202. 

STARTALK is part of the National Security Language Initiative. The NSLI is “designed to increase the proficiency and number of Americans communicating in critical languages,” according to the United State Department of Education web site.

“We are proud to continue to offer this exceptional enrichment program, which gives our students a unique chance to broaden their learning and exposure to other cultures,” said Dr. Dan McDonnell, District 202’s director for high school curriculum and instruction.

All registration materials are available on the front page of the District 202 web site (www.psd202.org) and all District 202 school web sites. Registration materials are also available in the main offices of all District 202 elementary and middle schools.

Mail completed registration forms and payment to: District 202 Administration Center, Attn. Dr. Dan McDonnell, 15732 Howard Street, Plainfield, IL 60544. 

Visit the District 202 web site for more information at www.psd202.org or contact Dr. Dan McDonnell at (815) 577-4025, or Lilian Blecha at blecha.lilian@gmail.com.