To the Editor:
As WWP, Princeton, and South Brunswick taxpayers, founders of Princeton International Academy Charter School (PIACS), parents, and K-20 educators, we are happy to ally with neighbors and public school colleagues to find ways to better finance public schools including charters and challenge unfair New Jersey school funding formulas. All public schools, including charters, face ongoing economic challenges. Nonetheless, we are resolute that now is a critical time to support the founding of PIACS and its mission, which is unique among New Jersey public schools.
If you are a parent of a rising kindergartener, first, or second grader, ask yourself what the world will be like in 15 years when your child graduates from college? What languages will dominate in the world and why? Will your child be equipped linguistically and culturally to be a leader in the world and at home in more than one language? Will your child have had a cultural and linguistic immersion experience to develop fluency in two or more world languages? Will your child have had teachers with a lifetime of international and dual language experience from varied ethnic, racial, and cultural identities?
We founded PIACS with the research-based evidence that linguistic and cultural competency skills are best developed in young children through dual-language immersion programs. No traditional Princeton-area public schools are equipped to do so, and we support all world language programs developing dual language and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. Sadly, with budget cuts, world language programs are on the chopping block in too many communities–the worst possible choice for our children’s future. Our districts need a greater focus on dual language and international competencies and standards at the earliest grades regardless of budgetary pressures.
Stuart Chen-Hayes
Co-Founder, PIACS
I cannot blame someone for simply being ignorant of facts. Ignorance is disappointing yet sadly commonplace. Mr/Ms Sheerin is clearly unaware of why charter schools exist, how charter schools are funded and how they are considered and approved by the Dept of Education. Sadly, he/she feels confident enough to make pronouncements on subjects of which they know very little.
What is unnacceptable, however, is Mr/Ms Sheerin’s baseless and offensive accusations about the motivation of the founders of the Princeton International Academy Charter School and implications that we manipulated (“finagled”) the process for personal benefit.
Taking a page from Fox News, Mr/Ms Sheerin has attacked me and other founders personally yet never had the courage or decency to ask me about my motivation for becoming a founder of PIACS before writing such a poisonous letter. He/she does not deserve the dignity of a response. But since WWP News decided that such a letter was in the public interest, I feel compelled to explain for the sake of public accountability.
While I am privileged to be able to afford to send my children to a private school, many families in our community cannot. It is my belief, and that of other PIACS founders, that top level education should not be limited to the children of families who can afford the private schools in our community. The International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum and dual language immersion programs should both be part of the PUBLIC school system so that all children can benefit from their proven advantages. Moreover, we are seeing top PUBLIC school districts around the country providing exactly these programs. But ours do not.
I could simply allow my children and other economically advantaged kids to reap the benefits of an IB and dual language immersion program in the comfort of a private school. But the founders of PIACS applied to the state Dept of Education for the opportunity to provide this educational choice to ALL families in our districts regardless of race or economic condition. At the end of an open and clearly defined process, the Commissioner of Education, in the letter of approval, agreed that PIACS offers a choice that should be part of the public education system.
The founders of PIACS are making personal and economic sacrifices in order to enhance public school education. One may disagree with the need for an IB curriculum or dual language immersion program in a public elementary school. Many people feel status quo is fine. I disagree but can accept the difference of opinion. But to make baseless accusations that I and others are doing this purely for our own personal benefit is morally reprehensible. Moreover, to imply that we finagled, manipulated, or cheated a public process to get approval for the school is libelous.
I encourage Mr/Ms Sheerin to do exactly what they say they are tempted to do: open a public school. Instead of spending time personally attacking people who are trying to improve the future of children in our community, you should put your effort behind a productive endeavor that would help people.
Parker Block
Co-Founder
Princeton International Academy Charter School
