Lauren Norwood, principal at the Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies, has resigned from the Evanston/Skokie School District 65 to accept an administrative position with the Chicago Public Schools, with the likelihood high that her successor will be bilingual.
In a letter sent to parents of Bessie Rhodes students, District 65 assistant superintendent Andalb Khelghati, said that the school’s assistant principal, Matt Condon, has been named interim principal until a permanent replacement can be selected.
Because the magnet school is slated to participate in the district’s popular Two Way Immersion (TWI) program next school year, Superintendent Paul Goren said he would like to see the position filled by a principal who is bilingual.
In TWI classrooms, about half the students are native Spanish speakers, while the other half are primarily English speakers, the idea being that all students emerge from the program fluent in both languages.
While the search for the new principal at the magnet school is under way, Khelghati said, “our administrative team will provide additional support and resources to Mr. Condon and the entire staff of Bessie Rhodes.”
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Clarification needed
Paul Goren, Superintendent of District 65 said he would like the next principal to be bilingual. OK. If a person who applies speaks French, German, Polish, Chinese, etc… in addition to English, will they meet his criteria? And what if the best candidate only speaks English, will he/she be disqualified? Inquiring minds would like to know.
What if they speak Polish?
“OK. If a person who applies speaks French, German, Polish, Chinese, etc… in addition to English, will they meet his criteria?”
No, because the school is not conducting courses in any of those languages (besides English).
“And what if the best candidate only speaks English, will he/she be disqualified? Inquiring minds would like to know.”
Yes, they would be disqualified because the bilingual requirement is vital is determining which candidate is “best” of the position, so somebody who only speaks English clearly is not the best according to that criteria.
(I have no inside knowledge, I’m just answering based on what has been previously documented).
And not saying I agree with those decisions, but clearly having somebody bilingual is a high priority for the board/superintendent.