[HERITAGE-LIST] Planned Arabic/English Dual Language School in NYC

[Diana Scalera]

Dear Colleagues:

Recently, a new New York City Department of Education dual language 
Arabic/English school being planned to open in September 2007 has been 
under attack by forces in the press who are calling for people to "break 
out the torches and surround City Hall to stop this monstrosity."

Debbie Almontaser, the principal of the school and a long time New York 
City educator, is being attacked as an Islamic extremist. The 
inflammatory nature of the attacks has nothing to do with the fact that 
there is a serious need for Arabic language education in New York City 
and elsewhere in the country.

Joel Klein, the New York City Chancellor of the Department of Education, 
  needs to be commended for approving this new Arabic language school. 
It  is  very important for language professionals to send a letter of 
support to:

Chancellor Joel I. Klein
Office of the Chancellor
52 Chambers Street
New York, New York 10007

In addition, the press around the country has picked up this story and 
the criticism of the opening of the school.  Would you, or your 
organization be willing to contact the press in your area to support a 
dual language Arabic/English school and to counteract the politicized 
press that is threatening its existence?

I am adding links to articles in the New York Times that will give you a 
basic history of the situation.  If you need more information, please 
contact Ms. Almontaser at dalmont at schools.nyc.gov.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

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