BARNSTABLE – Mandarin Chinese classes have been taught for years at Barnstable High School, and a collection of students, parents, teachers and graduates of the high school are against plans to drop the language classes from the curriculum.
Barnstable Public Schools Superintendent Meg Mayo-Brown cites small class sizes, totaling 43 students in the entire program, and a limited school budget for the cut in classes.
The classes have traditionally been available for students in grades 8-11, and the plan is to temporarily continue the third and fourth year classes.
Brook Styche, and English teacher at BHS, read a letter from graduate Oliva Price at a packed school committee meeting on February 5.
Price is majoring in Chinese at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and in her letter details the troubles she faced after being adopted from China. In Price’s letter, she describes the bullying for her looks and culture, leading to her feeling a lack of self-worth.
When Price moved to the Cape in middle school, she explained that the Chinese language class and a trip to China helped her gain more acceptance of her heritage.
Bella Joyner, a three-year student of Chinese at BHS, says she originally joined on a whim, despite some negative rumors about the course.
“The very first day of eighth grade I remember I was so nervous because Wu only spoke in Chinese. By the end of the first year several kids had dropped out and the ones left were some I now call my closest friends,” said Joyner.
“Throughout my entire time as a student in Chinese, I have loved the material we’ve learned and the people I’m surrounded by.”
Mayo-Brown acknowledged and expressed gratitude in the comments provided by the students, and says she doesn’t doubt the positives of the language program. She also, however, reminded them of her role as principal in balancing the budget with state requirements, while looking at the interest of the entire student body.
Mayo-Brown also took sole responsibility for the decision, and says she will continue discussions with Principal Pat Clark.
By TIM DUNN, CapeCod.com News Center
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