By Julia Beauregard
Hometown Weekly Editor
The recent decision to eliminate the Mandarin program at Westwood High School (WHS) has left students, parents, and community members both shocked and upset. The program, which serves as more than just an elective, is widely viewed as a critical component of education, preparing students for an increasingly globalized future. Mandarin, spoken by over 1.1 billion people worldwide, represents a vital connection to international opportunities.
According to the petition, “for many years, Mrs. Spollen has been a beloved and impactful teacher to her students at WHS, dedicating herself to helping students master a valuable language and understand a rich culture. Her commitment has made a lasting impact on countless students, and losing her and the program partway through many of her students' high school careers is a blow to their education and futures.” The affect that this decision will have on Mrs. Spollen causes just as much concern for the community as the impact that the loss of this program could have on their children.
Research indicates that 70% of high school graduates express regret over not having access to more language options, which they believe would better prepare them for college and careers. By cutting the Mandarin program, Westwood High School is not only removing a class such but this decision could potentially limit students’ ability to grow, compete, and thrive in the world beyond the walls of WHS.
Members of the Westwood High community are urging school administrators to reconsider the decision and preserve both the Mandarin program and Mrs. Spollen’s role within it. A petition has been circulated to demonstrate the program’s impact and the community’s support for its continuation.
Many community members and WHS graduates expressed how much this program meant to them, the value of learning Mandarin as a second language, and how their time within this program impacted them throughout their lives beyond high school. There is a general consensus amongst these community members that the Mandarin program is vital to the Westwood High School curriculum.
The petition, which has garnered nearly 500 signatures over the last month, reflects the widespread belief that the Mandarin program is essential to Westwood High’s commitment to preparing students for a global future. The fate of this program will be left up to The Westwood School Committee.
The link to the petition can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/whsmandarin
