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Mary Jenkins' fourth-grade daughter loves learning Spanish; it's 40 minutes of instruction she looks forward to each week.

But whether future Steam--boat Springs School District elementary school students will have the chance to participate in an elementary Spanish program is partially dependent on the ability of parents such as Jenkins to continue to raise funds for the class.

To that end, a group of parents from Strawberry Park and Soda Creek elementary schools are holding an April 8 fund-raiser for the district's elementary Spanish program.

"La Gran Fiesta," will run from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Oly--mpian Hall at Howelsen Hill. The fund-raiser will feature live Mariachi music, food and drink and a silent auction. A cash bar will offer tequila tasting, margaritas, Spanish and Argentine wines and Mexican beer.

Jenkins said the parents hope to raise $20,000 at the fund-raiser. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Money raised at the event will help the parent information committees at each elementary school ensure the program can be funded in future years, Jenkins said. Parents also would like to expand the program to provide Spanish instruction to younger elementary school students.

The elementary Spanish program began in February 2003 after parents approached the school district with an idea for a program that would introduce Spanish to third-, fourth- and fifth-graders. District officials approved the program -- provided the district wouldn't have to pay for it.

Using proceeds from the sales of grocery store gift cards and other fund-raisers, the parent information committees at Strawberry Park and Soda Creek have provided the majority of funding for the program, which costs about $30,000 a year. The Education Fund Board has contributed $15,000 in half-cent sales tax proceeds to the program in the past two years.

But the future of the program is dependent on more than just funding. Some School Board members have expressed concern about teaching Spanish to elementary school students because the district doesn't have a continuous, progressive K-12 foreign language curriculum for all students. Those concerns have left no assurance the program will continue from year to year.

"Every year, it's a question of if this program is going to continue," Jenkins said. "It should be something that's not a question every year. We think this is important, and we think it should be continued every year."

Money raised at La Gran Fiesta could help ensure that the program sticks around at least one more year, dependent on the decision of district officials.

"It's going to be a fun event," Jenkins said.

Silent auction items include vacations, a private fishing trip, Steamboat Ski Area season passes and other items. Classes at the elementary schools also made gift baskets that will be auctioned, Jenkins said. Tickets for the fund-raiser can be purchased in advance at both elementary schools, 8th Street West, All That Jazz, Off the Beaten Path Bookstore, Epilogue Book Co., Steamboat Health and Recreation Center and online at www.paypal.com.

-- To reach Brent Boyer call 871-4234

or e-mail bboyer@steamboatpilot.com