School program will let Chinese kids learn in their native tongue

Zoey Clontz, 6, practices her dance in preparation for the Chinese New Year.

JOHN PEMBERTON/The Times-Union

Bryan and Kim Clontz hold their two children, Zoey, 6, (left) and Olivia, 2. They are advocates of Chinese language training in school. Parents gathered Sunday for a Chinese dance practice.

JOHN PEMBERTON/The Times-Union

By JOHN PEMBERTON

Duval County Public Schools’ first Chinese immersion program is scheduled to open this fall at an existing charter school that focuses on foreign languages.

Global Outreach Charter School, a K-8 school in its first year of operation, agreed to add the Mandarin language program after a group of parents with adopted children from China approached Duval schools seeking an immersion experience.

Carol Mackoul, whose 5-year-old daughter is Chinese, helped spearhead the program and intends to enroll her daughter next school year.

“Having that language, the first language that she heard, I think is going to be a gift for her, whether she uses it just for herself or for the business world 20 years from now,” Mackoul said.

Mackoul is among about 250 members of First Coast Families with Children from China. About 150 of those members are adopted children.

Global Principal Ralph Della Crosse said the Mandarin program fits the school’s mission.

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