With the closing of Kansas schools for the remainder of the semester, a lot of the end-of-the-year activities are undecided, as far as when and how they will be completed. The Seal of Biliteracy test, however, will still be taken, just at home.

The Seal of Biliteracy test is for seniors so they can prove that they are not only bilingual, but rather biliterate, which means they can not only speak, but also read and write in the specified language. In this case, the language is Spanish.

The test will be taken at home, where a trusted adult or proctor will be present and monitor the student. The actual date of the test has not been determined yet and will not be decided until all the proctors are set.

There are 10 Hays High students who will be taking the test from home.

“Taking the test at home definitely has decreased the amount of stress that’s been building up inside me,” senior Dellilah Herrera said. “Being able to take it in the comfort of my on home will help me focus more and not be worried about what’s going on around me.”

Taking, and passing, the test can prove very useful in the future. If you pass, being biliterate can be added to your resume, which could potentially lead to a higher chance of getting the job you had applied for. The people who pass also get a stamp on their diplomas, which will be given out this summer.

“A big advantage to passing this test would be to put yourself in Spanish-speaking situations,” senior Lucas Pfannenstiel said. “The best options are going to restaurants that speak mainly Spanish or watching Spanish-speaking shows.” 23mtaggart@usd489.com