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Uruguayan principals check out local schools Mail Tribune / Jim Craven Uruguayan principals Lilian Strada, second from left, and Lourdes Correa read to Phoenix Elementary students Alonso Serna, 5, and Ernesto Madera, 6. The women are visiting local schools as part of the development of bilingual programs in their country. They're learning about bilingual programs By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune PHOENIX - In the South American country of Uruguay, Principal Lourdes Correa's school, Numero 36 Dorsolina Borba, has one computer. Located in the town of Artigas in the inland portion of Uruguay between Argentina and Brazil, the entire school has about as many books - and is about the same size - as one classroom at Phoenix Elementary School. "For each class, we only have one teacher and no assistants," said Correa, who is one of two principals visiting as part of a Fulbright administrative exchange program. Correa and Lilian Strada, principal of Numero 117 Treinta y Tres Orientales, are among some 20 administrators visiting the United States to find out how American schools have set up bilingual programs. Strada and Correa, who spoke through an interpreter, Phoenix instructional assistant Isis Contreras-Harrison, have spent time in classrooms at both Talent and Phoenix elementary schools. They also have met with the PTA, Rotary Club and school board. While Uruguayan teachers are at a disadvantage because they don't have the resources of their American counterparts, they make up for it by being resourceful. "Teachers in Uruguay are really prepared," said Strada. "They study a lot and they keep up with research." Correa said, "You have a lot of full-time schools here. � We only go for four hours a day." Both educators marveled at the amount of attention their American counterparts devoted to school. Strada said, "Education is really important in this culture. The teachers, the principal, everyone is worried about education." Phoenix Elementary Principal Lynn Calhoun said the various schools plan to establish an Internet link to get a bilingual program exchange program off the ground. In Uruguay, students must learn English as part of their curriculum. "It is very important to learn English," said Correa. "It is necessary." She is hoping the Uruguayan government will give schools extra money to start a bilingual program that incorporates features similar to those of Phoenix and Talent elementary schools. Apart from school, the two Uruguayan principals have had a chance to explore the sights around the Rogue Valley, visiting Crater Lake and the Oregon Cabaret Theater. Their most interesting encounter: snow - they'd never seen it before. They hope what they take back from the trip will prove equally fascinating to other educators in Uruguay. "This experience is unforgettable to us and what we have learned is going to take off in our country," Correa said. "We are hoping this exchange will continue between the two countries." Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.