On Nov. 19, the Bethpage Board of Education took its monthly meeting on the road to Kramer Lane Elementary School, showcasing the vibrant learning taking place on campus. This month’s meeting featured a special presentation about the district’s innovative Foundational Language Early Start (FLES) program, which provides elementary students with a dynamic introduction to Spanish, French, and Italian.
FLES is taught across Kramer Lane, Charles Campagne and Central Boulevard elementary schools by teachers Allison Gunning (K-2) and Katie Barba (3-5). Both educators joined forces with their Kramer Lane students to deliver an engaging and interactive presentation, giving the Board and community members a taste of the program's hands-on and culturally enriching approach.
The presentation kicked off with a fun activity where board members worked on worksheets alongside the students. These worksheets mirrored a typical weekly activity in FLES classrooms, covering foundational language skills like the days of the week, weather conditions, and expressions for how students feel.
Following this warm-up, Ms. Gunning and her younger students serenaded the audience with a spirited rendition of Soy una Pizza, a popular song that helps students learn vocabulary through music.
The presentation also included heartfelt moments, like third-grader Karina’s testimony about how FLES allows her to connect with her culture and share it with her classmates. Karina spoke about introducing her peers to her family’s Day of the Dead traditions, sharing photos of the celebrations with the board members. Her story highlighted how FLES fosters inclusivity and pride in cultural heritage.
Ms. Barba explained that FLES students engage in hands-on projects and experiential learning, often tying language lessons to cultural exploration. One student enthusiastically described a class trip to Mangoes, a local Mexican restaurant. There, students practiced ordering in Spanish, tasted traditional dishes, and later wrote reviews about their experiences. This multidisciplinary approach enriched their language skills and writing abilities while immersing them in authentic cultural contexts.
The program also aligns seamlessly with Kramer Lane’s annual International Festival, where students explore global cuisines and learn traditional dances. This event serves as a natural extension of the FLES program, celebrating cultural diversity and encouraging students to embrace new perspectives.
While FLES classes are not formally graded, assessments reveal that students retain their lessons at an above-average level, a testament to the program’s engaging and effective structure. The presentation closed with students sharing their favorite aspects of FLES, from learning new languages to exploring global cultures.
