27-05-2025
Board needs to work with community to keep MPS Italian Immersion Program open
Our family recently learned of plans to end the MPS Italian Immersion Program as envisioned by our father, Tom Balistreri, and approved by the Milwaukee Board of School Directors in 2004.
The proposed change would convert the Italian immersion school from an immersion program into a diluted 'world language model,' merely consisting of one language course. In an immersion school, students learn a second language in most subjects by 'immersing' them in the language and culture. By contrast, the proposed change strips the program of the immense benefits of full immersion.
Our father served Milwaukee Public Schools for 40 years, including as Principal of Rufus King International High School and member of the Milwaukee Board of School Directors. Our mother, Barbara also taught in MPS for 30 years.
Our dad believed diverse academic programs and specialties offered across the city, like the immersion schools, give parents options and allows Milwaukee's youth to access a global education. MPS' rich tradition in this area is nationally recognized for its German, Spanish, and French immersion schools.
While Principal of Rufus King, our dad was dedicated to making 'the best school anywhere!' He implemented several changes, including adding the Italian language program to the already established Spanish, French, German, and Latin courses. He knew learning other languages would prepare students for success in an interconnected world.
When I was a student at Rufus King, I took Spanish and Italian courses. Four years later, my younger brother Michael did the same. After high school, I went on to study Italian at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and studied abroad in Italy. After graduation, I used my Italian language skills and taught 4-year-old kindergarten at the Italian Immersion School during the 2008-2009 school year.
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My brother Michael attended the United States Naval Academy and now serves as Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy. During his time in Annapolis, he founded the Italian-American Midshipmen Club, and pioneered an exchange program between the U.S. and Italian Navies.
Immersion schools offer students a unique educational opportunity and our dad placed great value in the immersion model. Our dad dreamed of establishing an Italian Immersion School that would transition students to the Milwaukee School of Languages like the other immersion schools.
His vision became a reality in 2005 when the Milwaukee Board of School Directors voted to create the Italian Immersion program, housed at Victory School.
Our dad's vision, supported by the Board, emphasized the expansion of immersion programs to introduce languages reflecting the community's wishes.
The Italian Immersion program continues to enjoy broad support locally, nationally, and internationally, to include yearly financial support from the Italian Consulate in Chicago. To our knowledge, it remains the only such school of its kind.
From its start, the program received local support from the Order Sons of Italy/Mazzei Lodge, WisItalia, the National Italian American Foundation, the Italian Community Center, and the broader Milwaukee metropolitan community.
We also learned that a community group has been working in good faith with MPS leadership to re-invigorate and potentially re-locate the program to a more central part of Milwaukee. This group shares our passion for preserving and promoting the Italian language and culture.
Unfortunately, MPS administration decided to dissolve the Italian Immersion Program with little communication with the community group they were collaborating with for nearly two years. After this decision, a letter was sent to parents informing them of this devastating change, leaving many feeling blindsided and confused.
Our parents taught us that it is never too late to put students first. Offering varied education choices to families to best meet their children's needs and passions is right for Milwaukee. Saving the MPS Italian Immersion Program is a worthy endeavor and provides choice in the portfolio of public immersion schools. Giving the Italian Immersion program the support Milwaukee's students deserve will return it to its original success with Milwaukee metro-area families.
The timing to save and restore the MPS Italian Immersion program is now, particularly as the Italian community prepares for Festa Italiana.
We urge the Milwaukee Board of School Directors to uphold their original resolve of establishing the Italian Immersion program and provide the necessary support for the program to thrive again.
We also appeal to Superintendent Brenda Cassellius to reopen collaboration with the community group working to save the MPS Italian Immersion program. Now that we are aware of this unfortunate decision, our family gladly champions this cause.
On Thursday, May 29, at 5:30 pm, the Milwaukee Board of School Directors will hold a hearing to take public testimony regarding the MPS Italian Immersion program. We encourage members of the community to attend.
Christina and Michael Balistreri are two of the four adult children of retired MPS educators Tom and Barbara Balistreri. Along with their siblings, Andrew and Victoria, they are proud graduates of Rufus King International High School, and all attended Milwaukee Spanish Immersion School. Christina is a graduate of UW-Madison and the University of Wisconsin Law School, she now practices law in Milwaukee. Michael is a naval officer, presently assigned to Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, D.C. (His views expressed here do not represent those of the Department of Defense.)
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Parents blindsided by decision to dissolve language program | Opinion
