The funds have gone to improve the foreign language program, Oliveira said.
LUDLOW — The Modern Languages Department at Ludlow High School has received a $32,000 donation from the Joseph Dias Foundation and the Lusitania Institute for the purchase of textbooks and other educational items to enhance current language programs.
School Committee member Jacob Oliveira said $25,000 is from the Joseph Dias Foundation and $7,000 is from Lusitania Institute.
The Joseph Dias Foundation was founded by the late Joseph Dias, the founder of the Luso Federal Credit Union and a successful businessman in town, Oliveira said.
He said trustees from both associations contacted the School Committee after budget cuts were considered last spring that would have cut a Portuguese teaching position at Ludlow High School.
Many Ludlow residents are of Portuguese descent and many students and parents showed up at School Committee meetings to oppose cutting the Portuguese language program, Oliveira said.
The Portuguese teacher was restored, but residents said they wanted to do something to improve the foreign language program, Oliveira said.
The money has gone to the purchase of 100 Spanish textbooks for students in grades nine through 12, as well as Spanish textbooks for students at Baird Middle School.
Oliveira said 40 Portuguese textbooks were purchased for students in grades 11 and 12. In addition, 15 digital recorders were purchased for Advanced Placement French classes and Spanish readers, which include CDs have been ordered.
Other computerized language textbooks also have been ordered.
Oliveira said there are now students at the high school taking a Portuguese level 5 class and an Advanced Placement French 5 course.
Ludlow students are very interested in foreign language instruction, Oliveira said.
He said there are many Portuguese immigrants and children of immigrants in town, adding that many other immigrant groups are represented as well, including Polish immigrants and Turkish immigrants.
There is an influx of Portuguese-speaking Brazilians to Massachusetts, Oliveira said. He said there are more Portuguese speakers in the world than French speakers.