Faculty and staff begin Spanish lessons at Webutuck

AMENIA — Webutuck School District has completed the fourth week of its new program teaching faculty and staff Spanish lessons after school.

“According to the teachers, they find it extremely helpful. They’re already using it in the classrooms, you know, as minimal as they’ve learned in four weeks, six to eight sessions,” said Webutuck’s Superintendent Raymond Castellani. “They are using words that they’re learning and phrases that they’re learning to work with our students.”

With the agenda being recently developed, there have been about 30 staff members consistently participating in the program. The classes are not mandatory and are being taught by the Webutuck’s Spanish teachers, implementing introductory based lessons.

According to Castellani, 28% to 30% of Webutuck’s student population are English language learners, which is a dense portion of students whose first language consists of Spanish. With the district’s wide and welcoming community, the staff have recognized the importance of embracing diversity for the benefit of the students.

Lessons began shortly after the district’s second quarter picked back up, which started in January. There are four classes a week staff are able to attend, with the options to attend on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. and the second session from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

“It’s not permanent,” Castellani said. “If we see success in how our teachers are communicating with our students that do not speak English, if we’re seeing success in it, we will continue to offer each year.”