Comments on: Punished for Speaking Spanish

By: sisi

sisi — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:15:16 +0000

Thanks for that story, I hope you’ll keep us posted as to the outcome. This also reminds of the thousands of students back in the day who were punished (slapped on the hand) etc. for speaking spanish in school. When I taught kinder in LA, there were 3 other mexican american teachers who were all slightly older than me and not one of them spoke spanish because they were so discouraged as children in the states to do so… so sad.

By: Roxana S.

Roxana S. — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:05:15 +0000

Thanks, Rebecca! We’ll be definitely following this one. It’ll be interesting to see the outcome…

By: Roxana S.

Roxana S. — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:03:47 +0000

Maria, thanks for adding the link to change.org’s petition. We knew about it, but I decided not to include it because the petition is asking for the district to end its English-only policy. I; however, couldn’t find any info which confirmed that this is the case. In fact, the district is supposed to be known for working with Spanish-speaking families, as I mentioned in the article. Either way, if anyone feels like signing the petition, I’m sure it’ll help make some noise.
Thanks, again!

By: Roxana S.

Roxana S. — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 23:56:44 +0000

Thanks for sharing, Ines. Where and when did this happen? I find it incredibly interesting and inspiring that the students “revolted” against the administration, as you say. Would love to find out more about it…

By: Rebecca Aguilar

Rebecca Aguilar — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 07:21:51 +0000

Thank you for keeping us informed. I’m going to profile your blog on Facebook WLL’s “The Brief” on Monday.

Rebecca Aguilar

By: Janice G

Janice G — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 15:40:41 +0000

Good for Mateo for standing up for her civil rights!!! Thanks for bringing this incident to light.

By: Maria

Maria — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 05:36:18 +0000

so very sad, but unfortunately I’m not all that surprised. I hope the outcome is one we can all be proud of.

fyi- change.org is putting together a petition/letter writing campaign if anyone is so inclined.
http://www.change.org/actions/view/end_districts_english-only_policy_school_secretary_fired_for_speaking_spanish_to_parents

*if I shouldn’t have the link there feel free to remove it….
Maria H

By: Ines

Ines — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 00:38:56 +0000

I’m not surprised. My high school principal tries to apply the same rule school wide (no Spanish on school property). The students revolted against the administration and spoke anyway. He couldn’t enforce the rule and gave up…

By: Beth Butler

Beth Butler — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:11:08 +0000

Wow Roxana – WOW! I seriously read your entry, and my mouth continued to open in amazement with each paragraph. (A disturing amazement mind you) I have worked in public schools such as the one you speak of since 1981 and can – to this day – recall all of the staff being thankful when we had an interpreter up in the front office.

Every school I taught in embraced the diversity of the class population and, as you so wonderfully pointed out, isn’t the entire focus of these schools the education of the young children within the walls of the school? And doesn’t involving the parents in the education of their own children still stay front and center in any administration’s vision?

You go Ana Mateo – you take it right to the top! (applause – applause – applause)
.-= Beth Butler´s last blog ..Happy Valentine’s Day / Feliz día de San Valentín / Feliz día del amor y amistad =-.

By: Cassy

Cassy — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 19:43:29 +0000

Indeed, just as we think things are getting better... She was hired as a bilingual secretary, but can't speak Spanish. It seems the principal's staff meeting announcement forbidding staff to speak Spanish to parents, was the first sign of things to come. Folks should have acted then. At any rate, I hope the secretary hangs in there. This is unacceptable in 2010, and more so in a school, where we insist parents become involved. .-= Cassy´s last blog ..Snow Day - a Teacher's Best Friend =-.