Norwin High seeks to start global scholars program
A global scholars program would better prepare Norwin High School students to be responsible citizens in an ever-changing global society, as well as give them another achievement to include on college applications, a language teacher told the school board this week.
Danielle Llerena, a high school Spanish teacher, asked the board to approve instituting the program that cuts across curricula and “is something students are really craving,” especially if they are not as focused on fields related to science, technology, engineering and math. Even the STEM fields depend on understanding global languages, Llerena said.
Several members indicated they were in favor of the program, and the board could vote on it at the Oct. 16 meeting. If it's approved, Llerena said, she will apply to the Pennsylvania State Modern Language Association for Norwin to be designated a participant. The program is an initiative of the Erie-based nonprofit dedicated to teaching and learning languages and cultures.
Franklin Regional and Hempfield Area are other Westmoreland County schools that have the global scholars program, Llerena said, and Greater Latrobe has applied to join.
Students would be required to take four years of the same foreign language; complete eight literature or media reviews that would be global in nature; perform 20 hours of community service, such as teaching a student a second language or mentoring an exchange student; and participate in four extracurricular activities with a global focus, such as school-sponsored or community activities that explore global perspectives.
Norwin's world language department has reconnected with Hahntown Elementary School and will begin an internship this month in which high school students teach languages. Llerena said she hopes to take the internship effort to the district's other three elementary schools.
The global scholars program is not a club, would cost the district no additional money and would not require additional courses. Among the required courses are social studies, businesses, English/literature, science, math, art and music. The program is for all students, not just gifted students. Llerena envisions starting the program with perhaps five to 10 students.
The program is student-centered and allows them to choose activities, classes, reading and community work, she said.
“They need to take the responsibility of completing the activities. We're serving as a mentor for them. We're there to give them ideas,” Llerena said of the teachers and counselors who would be involved.
Participation in the global scholars program could help students applying for college and scholarships, particularly at Ivy League schools, Llerena said.
“They need something to stand out from the other students,” she said.
It could serve as a stepping stone for world travel, said Llerena, who has studied in Ecuador and has traveled to Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Peru, Costa Rica, and Spain, according to the school's website.
Joe Napsha is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724-836-5252 or jnapsha@tribweb.com.
