Berkeley Heights Public Schools Lacks a World Language Program in Chinese (or Asian) Studies

Where is the “inclusion” and “diversity”? – An Educator in the Community Shares A Second Article on our World Languages Program

Berkeley Heights Public Schools (BHPS) is the only surrounding district that does not have – nor considers – a Chinese/Asian World Language program for high school students.

Following up on the first article where Columbia Middle School (CMS) students lack two full years of World Language entering Governor Livingston High School (GLHS), note that BHPS is the only school district in this area to not offer Chinese as a foreign language program. The surrounding high schools of Bridgewater-Raritan, Chatham, Madison, Millburn, Livingston, Scotch Plains-Fanwood, Summit, Watchung Hills, Westfield offer Chinese as a World Language option. While other districts are much larger, Madison (and New Providence, see below) is very comparable in size to Berkeley Heights. While BHPS is taking away World Language courses (not offering French 3 class, eliminating Honors classes at CMS, combining a mega Italian 4 class with AP Italian at GLHS) and almost took away French offerings for all students in a secret announcement the Friday before spring break 2022, all other school districts have added or are considering adding courses.

The one exception is New Providence School District as their Board of Education announced at their June meeting (their own draft BOE goals starting at minute mark 33:00) that as a strategic planning goal, the district will “Consider adding Chinese to our World Language Department.” New Providence High School already offers Japanese as a World Language program in addition to Spanish, French, Italian, and online Latin. Has Berkeley Heights Board of Education stated their draft 2023-24 goals yet?

Where is any consideration – or at least a goal – of adding an instructor of World Language/Chinese at Governor Livingston High School? Where is the respect for a Chinese Foreign Language program for Berkeley Heights Public Schools? Oh wait – remember when Berkeley Heights Huaxia Chinese School tried to communicate at the Berkeley Heights Board of Education meetings on October 20, 2022 (see timestamp 2 hours 10 minutes) and November 17, 2022 (see timestamp 1 hour 48 minutes) and were shut down by the Board of Education and their attorney. Berkeley Heights Huaxia Chinese School ended up renting at New Providence School District because of a more favorable rental fee charge (where New Providence School District’s Superintendent let the individuals from Huaxia Chinese School speak for several minutes – as both sides were very thankful). See Huaxia Chinese School petition with comparing school rates at the bottom (they tried) as the Berkeley Heights Huaxia Chinese School now lists their home address as New Providence High School/Middle School (35 Pioneer Drive). What a loss of rental income for Berkeley Heights Public Schools which now has to charge their parents more in sports fees!

One note as indicated in the BHPS district flowchart is that Governor Livingston High School has an incredible American Sign Language (ASL) program that supports their Deaf and Hard Hearing program – a program that supports many out-of-district students (thanks to a Director of Special Services who is now suddenly leaving). This ASL Program should be continued to be supported as students should be encouraged to take ASL courses.

Enough of focusing on the past with the Huaxia Chinese School having no choice but to leave facility usage of Berkeley Heights Public Schools. BHPS should consider adding a Chinese foreign World Language program to accommodate a growing need (see nine surrounding districts) for a growing population, interest, and demand.

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