Community Education

Peninsula School District sticks with plan to curtail Chinese program

Despite efforts by Chinese language students to save Chinese 1 in the upcoming school year, Peninsula School District is going through with its plan to cut the entry-level course because enrollment fell short.

Students organizing the campaign hosted a social media push and website, garnering testimonials from former and current students about the relevance and value of the program.

Advocates say that despite typically small sections, Chinese classes are an asset to students because they learn a language that is widely spoken within the global economy. Many also commented on the quality of the program. Some said it changed their path in life.

Classes cut at Kopachuck, PHS

District administrators earlier this spring said the entire Chinese program would be shrunk in line with falling enrollment. As of next year, Chinese will no longer be offered at Kopachuck Middle School, eliminating a middle school class the district has had since 2017.

In April, district officials shared plans to also eliminate Chinese classes at Peninsula High School, but with the caveat that students at that school would be accommodated by options that were then-yet-to-be-determined.

Upper-level classes would (and will) continue in 2022-23 at Gig Harbor High School.

In late April, Chinese language teacher Heidi Steele said the district was planning to cut entry-level Chinese (Chinese 1) because the number of students who expressed an interest during the initial registration period fell short of the target.

At that time, Assistant Superintendent Dan Gregory signaled the district might be open to reversing course. Although he didn’t mention Chinese 1 specifically, he said that if students came forward before staffing decisions based on enrollment had been finalized, “we may consider this if the requested changes are significant enough to reconsider course sections.”

Return possible in 2023-24

Part of the students’ public awareness campaign was to encourage their peers to enroll in Chinese 1. As of Thursday, 13 had signed up for the class. District spokeswoman Aimee Gordon said a minimum of 18 was necessary.

Gregory last week confirmed that Chinese 1 would not be offered for the 2022-23 school year, but the cut may not be permanent.

“Next winter, when we hold registration for the 2023-24 school year, Chinese 1 will be included in the course catalogue,” Gregory said. “We hope that enough students sign up for Chinese 1 so that it can be offered again in the 2023-24 school year.”

Student Ivy Goodkin, who worked on the “Save Chinese” campaign, said her group was disappointed but undeterred.

“While I am upset there won’t be a Chinese 1 class offered next year, I am excited to get a head start on advertising with my peers,” said Goodkin, a Gig Harbor High freshman taking Chinese 1 this year. “We have started planning activities, social events and more to get students interested in joining Chinese 1.”

Students will continue campaign

Goodkin said the social media campaign and website will stay active throughout the upcoming school year.

“I was worried not having a Chinese 1 class next year would make it difficult to get students to join the class the following years, but with the support the program has from its alumni, current students and the community, I have high hopes for the future.

As for how students at Peninsula High will access classes, Gregory said on Friday: “We have a few things we are working through to determine if the students at PHS will be provided instruction remotely or in person. There are several factors that have an impact on this decision and we hope to have clarity on these factors soon.”

Steele on Monday confirmed she has signed a contract to teach in-person, upper-level classes at both high schools. There will be two sections at each school, Chinese 2 and Chinese 3/4.

“My students and I will work really hard next year to increase the visibility of our program with the hope that we will have a full Chinese 1 class for the 2023-2024 school year,” Steele said.