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Non-Discrimination Policy

Non-Discrimination Policy

It is the policy of the Bellows Falls Union High School District that it will not tolerate, at any time, (A) on any property of the Bellows Falls Union High School District, or (B) during any activity on or off property of the Bellows Falls Union High School District where the district is required or authorized to exercise control or supervision, any discrimination against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, place of birth, age, disability, mental condition, physical condition, or any discrimination against any person on any other basis prohibited by law. We follow the Agency of Education’s guidelines on Best Practices for Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming students which can be found here:  Continuing Best Practices for Schools Regarding Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students

The study of World Languages and cultures is an integral part of the curriculum at Bellows Falls Union High School.  Only Spanish is currently offered in person, although Vermont Virtual Learning Cooperative (VTVLC) offers Chinese and French online and the Community College of Vermont (CCV) offers American Sign Language online, as well.  The world is changing rapidly and in order to survive and prosper in our international society, you need an understanding of other peoples and their languages. 

Students are required to successfully complete a minimum of (1) one credit in a foreign language. As a department, we strongly encourage you to do all of the following:

  • Achieve a high level of proficiency in at least one language.
  • Broaden your linguistic and cultural studies by taking a second or third language.
  • Pursue language and cultural studies throughout your lives.

To these ends, we have built a good deal of flexibility and variety into our program.  We offer multiple levels in Spanish and offer other languages online with VTVLC and CCV. The scope of study in each of these areas goes far beyond the classroom. The culture and heritage of both modern and ancient civilizations come alive in activities such as field trips to museums and theatrical events, competitions with other schools, and travel to other countries.

Students in Spanish will be evaluated based on class participation, written tests and quizzes, and projects. Instruction is generally given using a “comprehensible input” approach, whereby material is presented in the target language in a way that its meaning is clear from its usage. This means that attendance and participation in class are essential elements to a student’s success, while minimizing the need for homework assignments, except for practicing what has been done in class. To facilitate this practice, both in class and at home, students will be exposed to various technological learning aids such as Kahoots!, Quizlet, Google Classroom, Textivate, and others.