New Britain herald., 1930-03-15
ITALIANLANGUAGE AT H. s. SUPPORTED
Gains Approval of Several Men,
 berS Of School Board

| Alter several members ol the school committee at the monthly meeting yesterday afternoon had commented favorably on the sug- gestion Of James Bordiere that course in the Italian language be added to the curriculum of the Senior High school, Committeeman George Levitt moved that it bs re- ferred to the teachers committee which will report at the next meet ing of the school board.
 Among those who spoke in favor of the adoption of the language in the school was MT. Levitt who said the Italian tongue was the language of music, art and literature He won dered why it was not taught in the high school.
 A3tng Chairman Joseph M. Hal loran called attention to the fact that the petition which accompanied Mir. Bordiere's letter contained the names of persons who are not of Italian extraction. It was the gen. eral opiniop that not the Italian | pCOplC llOlc NOuiu pC liiC pNHSi1N- tors but persons of other nauonali- ties as well.
 Supt Stanley 1T. Holmes was not certain whether there were many students in Spanish in the school but it was his opinion that there were many more pupils taking a French course.
 Letter From Bordiere
 Mir. Bordiere's letter follows:
 There is a matter which l should like to have the school board take under its consideration. For years the school system of this city has provided for courses in Spanish and French, but throughout these years it has never provided for courses in tiful of languages.
 Tn my observations as an adult student at the Senior High school, I have found that the school depart ment has kept step with every pro- gressive movement and l should deem it another step in the right di- rection if you would make plans for an Italian course which might start at the opening of the school term next September.
 During the past week, I have been circulating a petition among the people of this city, asking that this course be adopted. I am enclos- ing this petition with the names of such people who have assured mo, the school board may depend upon for any support the project may need.
 There is a demand for the Italian ! language in this city. In my many contacts with the public. az private instructor, student, and business ] man, I con sec the need. There is also the necessity of it's use as high school credits toward college en- trance.
 universities allow credits for Italian on par with Latin, Spanish, French and German. It is interest ing. however, to note that the 14 units required for admission 10 the Military Academy of West Point, four units arc credited to Italian the first. second, third and fourth year.
 Spanish and French are taught in the Senior High school. The first is instituted. I believe for its value in communicating with South Amer ican countries. The second is taught for it's long and educational history and for it's simplicity and beauty of expression. Both arc useful for it is valuable to know more than one language in connection with our own. To learn ones language one must learn another,' said the fla nous German wroter, Goethe.
 Any favorable action you may take will be appreciated by the peo- pie of this city, 1 assure you.
 Respectfully,
 JAMES BORDIERE."
 The petition reads as follows:
 We the undersigned, citizens of New Britain, petition your honor able body to consider the advisa bill ity of teaching Italian in the senior high school.
 There are four high schools in Connecticut, two in New Haven and two in Waterbury, that have already adopted these courses. We believe that those students who will choose to elect this language as a course of study will derive great cultural and practical benefit therefrom.
 James Bordiere, David L. Nair, George A. QuiSley, Oliver |. Davis, Angela l.. Lacava, Rev. John J. Keane, Robert C. Vance, R. Pasquale Altero, Joseph Gaeta, Frank Rog- CTS, George J. Kaplan. George H, Wuchert, Jr.. Samuel Mag, E. w. Marx. c. l.. Sheldon, W. H. Alder son, James Lacava, A. l.. Blancatl, Pardon c. Hickey, Stanley J. Ira ceski William H. Spencer, A. C. Kimball, r. W. Macomber. L. A. Sprague, H. E. Erwin, S. Gerard Casale, James II. Passerni, Joseph Calendo, Sturman Dyson Carl w. Swanson. NJ. S. Porter, R. D'Amico Roy L. Norcn, Mark T. Lake, Fred J. Ganctte, Philip Ppa, John F Butler, E. w. Christ, w. J. Noble, C H. Barnes, Thure Bengtson, Theo, dore Ainsworth Greene, Grcta k' Brown, Rev. Walter J. Lyddy ant Anthony w. Nesta.'
 Senior High Regulations In a letter to the school board Principal Louis P. Slade of the , Senior High school requested tha , regulations be made prohibiting 5 smoking in the school except in the retiring rooms and he also asked that arrangements be made for DO lice according to the need. : Mrs Fife G. Kimball, a member brought up the point that person! : working in tho schools gymnasium about election time would find i difficult to refrain from sm Joking l they were inclined to the habit. Act