Cottage Lake Parents:  Are you aware that foreign language classes start at the highschool level in Northshore School District schools, unlike many other districts in the state which start in Jr. High?  There's currently a movement to propose a change -below is a letter that was initially sent to the district to start the conversation regarding incorporating foreign language classes at the junior high level. NSD is willing to meet at district headquarters in response to that letter, so we are hoping to find an interested party to represent Cottage Lake Elementary in the upcoming meeting with the Northshore District Assistant superintendent of Secondary Education, Carolyn O'Keeffe, and the Director of Secondary Curriculum.  We need folks who are good communiators and who are positive, step by step, consensus builders and solution enablers.  If you are interested in attending the meeting on behalf of CLE, please contact Linda Stancin.

Bear Creek, Cottage Lake, and Eastridge Elementary School parents please consider responding in support to the following letter.  It will be sent to the addressees by December 1st.   Any supporting response or suggestion would be greatly appreciated.  We appreciate your consideration and opinions.

"Dear District Superintendent and Junior High Principals for the Northshore District,

We kindly and respectfully request strong consideration for the addition of a foreign language(s) in the junior high schools starting in the seventh grade as soon as possible.  We believe that in our global world the understanding of other languages/cultures is a key to appreciation of different ways of thinking.  It is also useful in multiple careers and enhances comprehension in literature, history, mathematics, art, and social sciences.  Across the country, many districts have foreign language classes starting in seventh grade.  Many of us parents had this opportunity when we were seventh graders.  The later instruction starts, the harder it is to learn or benefit from a foreign language.  We appreciate the financial difficulty public education is experiencing currently and offer any assistance or flexibility we can provide in achieving this goal.  We look forward to speaking with you in person and discussing potential solution options in the near future. 

With appreciation and respect,

Parents from Bear Creek Elementary, Cottage Lake Elementary, and Eastridge Elementary Schools"