Pen Pal Day at the Capitol

I had just settled down in the middle of the East staircase of Oregon's capitol in Salem to listen to the Orchestra and Choir from Salem's newest high school, West Salem, pictured above. I thought I was ready for everything. I had my peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, my binoculars, my camera and a book I am trying to finish reading.
Then all at once I heard such a clatter! No, not Santa. One hundred third graders start crowding around me.

They are from Harritt elementary in West Salem and Grant elementary in the main part of town. They have a Spanish immersion program going. The Harritt program is taught in completely in Spanish, with Grant's in English. The mix at Harritt is 20% Hispanic 80% non-Hispanic. At Grant, the proportions are reversed. Pen Pals across the River (for you non Oregonians, Salem is divided by the Willamette River) is a program feature. Today is Pen Pal day when the kids from both schools get together. So far, they have been to Starbucks and the Halle Ford Museum. Now they're here for the music. While we're sitting pretty close, I must say they are well managed. The school district has enough staff and parents on hand to keep things under control. So, for me it is a delightful experience.

Should the United States be bi-lingual? Debate the topic of you want. The fact is that we are. And people are finding ways to deal with it.