While I applaud efforts to teach the Italian LANGUAGE, I have for 40 years been preaching that Italian American kids need to be taught about Italian and Italian American CULTURE (not merely Cuisine) !!!!

"Little Italy" Merchants have adopted Washington Elementary school,  (that was built in 1915, and one of the oldest elementary schools in the city, and at one time served largely Italian-American children who lived in the area), and have encouraged adding to the curriculum,  Italian dance, language, art and history instruction. 

Follow the sound of Italian folk music at Washington Elementary School and you'll find dozens of children practicing traditional Neapolitan dances.

"Forward, two, three, four and back, two, three, four," the students chant as they concentrate on the movements and listen to the melodies of fiddles and accordions.

"I've never danced like this before," said Leo Arellano, 9, as he shuffled through the "Balloindodici" dance. "But it's OK. I like it. This is how they dance in Italy."

Italian dance, language, art and history instruction have recently been added to the curriculum at Washington. The school, located on the edge of Little Italy, has carved out a new relationship with the merchants and residents in and around the neighborhood ? many of whom attended school there themselves.

"The people of Little Italy have deep personal and emotional connections with this school," said Principal Janie Wardlow, who just started her second year at the campus. "I really believe the school and community should be partners. It's also important for the students to know about another culture and, at the same time, to learn about their school's identity."

As part of this new partnership, Washington students were recently invited into the shops and cafes that line India Street to trick-or-treat. Some members of the Little Italy Association bought tambourines for the dance students, who will perform at the neighborhood's annual tree-lighting ceremony in December.

But the association's support isn't limited to Italian programs. It also sponsors the campus jog-a-thon, and some of its members volunteer on campus and tutor children.

"Our community loves to support the Italian heritage and culture, but we also want to make sure the kids are taken care of," said Chris Gomez, district manager of the Little Italy Association. "This is one of the oldest elementary schools in the city, and we want to make sure it carries on and that it thrives."

The original Washington campus was built in 1915, and at one time served largely Italian-American children who lived in the area.

Today, about one-third of the 280 students live in the local 92101 ZIP code, about one-third of their parents work in the area, and nearly one-third attend through the San Diego Unified School District's Choice Program. About 10 percent of the students are homeless.

The association is working with Washington to promote the school and recruit new students. Many fear that if enrollment drops, the district would close the campus to save money.

"We want this school ? and the history behind it ? to live on," Gomez said. "The school is important to Little Italy and to San Diego."

The school is reaching well beyond its neighborhood to enhance the Italian curriculum that supplements its regular comprehensive education.

For example, Washington recently won a $6,000 grant from the Italian government to offer language classes to all students ? preschool through fifth grade. A special instructor will begin giving language lessons during and after school later this year.

In addition, Washington has applied for a magnet grant so it can establish an international studies program. The school also hopes to become part of the rigorous International Baccalaureate program.

"I started teaching here 26 years ago, when we had a lot of Italian students," fourth-grade teacher Leticia Harper said. "This is the first time I can remember us having a real emphasis on the history and culture. It's nice to give them that sense of their community."

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/
nov/05/school-studies-italian-roots-little-italy/ 
 

The ANNOTICO Reports Can be Viewed (With Archives) on:
[Formerly Italy at St Louis]