A French immersion program for Grade 6 students is being proposed for Tuc-el-Nuit Elementary School. If there are adequate numbers, the program will start in September. Registration is now open. Photo contributed
A French immersion pilot program is being considered for Tuc-el-Nuit Elementary School.
Last week Principal Shendah Benoit introduced the proposal to the school district’s Education Committee.
“It will be a great benefit to the students,” she said.
Benoit stated that French immersion has been the topic of conversation for some time, so in January of this year the school sent out 110 surveys to “intermediate” families. Fifty-one surveys came back and 27 families indicated they would strongly consider enrolling in a late French immersion class. The proposal is to have a commitment from families for a Grade 6-7 program that could extend into Southern Okanagan Secondary School.
School trustee Rachel Allenbrand said offering French immersion here has the potential of attracting more students to the district.
“If the numbers are there and Tuc-el-Nuit feels confident they can accommodate the program, I support it 100 per cent.”
Fellow trustee Sam Hancheroff agreed, saying the board is looking to keep students in the district (as opposed to losing them to other districts).
Benoit said Okanagan Falls school has lost some students who were seeking French immersion elsewhere. She also noted that Tuc-el-Nuit lost two families.
School board chair Marieze Tarr said some students from Oliver go to Penticton for French immersion studies.
Tarr said she was “totally surprised” that her children could not speak French by the time they graduated from high school here.
Benoit said the plan is to start the program in September, utilizing in-house resources, namely the expertise of staff member D. Simpson who has a “passion” for French immersion.
Benoit said there is grant funding available to move the program forward.
Superintendent of Schools Bev Young said she appreciated Benoit’s risk-taking and sleuthing in this endeavour.
“Intermediate is a good way to test it out,” she added.
Young pointed out that the timeline is short, but if the numbers are there, Tuc-el-Nuit has the staff to run the program for a year, and hopefully build on it.
Young said French immersion is just another option for parents to consider for their children.
Benoit said they are hoping there is enough interest for a Grade 6 class. In addition, they hope to provide one year of French oral and written language learning for interested Grade 7 students.
“We know that additional languages enhance problem-solving and thought processing skills,” Benoit said.
Sylvia Slater, president of the South Okanagan Similkameen Teachers’ Union, views the proposal as a double-edged sword.
She said offering language immersion to students is tremendous, but its success will take students away from other schools in the district. “Its impacts can be larger than you realize.”
Young acknowledged it may draw some students away from other schools, but keeping them in the district is the important thing.
A late French Immersion program is designed for students and families who do not have any prior knowledge with the French language.
Registrations are being accepted (on a first come, first serve basis) for students entering Grade 6 for the 2015-2016 year. Registration forms are available at www.sd53.bc.ca/ten/
A parent information meeting will take place Monday, April 27 from 5-6 p.m. in the school library.
Final approval of this program is pending confirmed numbers by April 2. Interested families can contact Benoit at 250-498-3415.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
