School pushes for very first French immersion program in Strathmore

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

Brentwood Elementary School is entertaining the idea of introducing a much sought-after language immersion program, where a lack of options in the past has left many to turn to other communities for their children’s educational needs.
The elementary school recently began canvassing Strathmore parents interested in enrolling their youngsters into a French immersion program. If successful in receiving at least 18 applications per class, the institution may implement a Kindergarten and Grade 1 French immersion program as early as the fall.
Yet the need to hire necessary teachers qualified for the program has the school on a tight timeline to gather adequate information on possible enrolment by the middle of May, to finally turn the concept – which has been a topic of discussion at Brentwood Elementary for numerous years – into a reality.
“A couple of years ago we started looking at it and were looking at the research, and I think we recognized from the onset it definitely has its benefits,” said Laurie Huntley, principal at Brentwood Elementary School. “I think the important thing is to get the word out into the community and it’s a little bit difficult because we’re starting at Kindergarten and Grade 1, so a lot of people haven’t engaged with schools yet and so we’re just trying to let them know that we’re exploring the option and that we have to have the numbers to go ahead.”
According to Huntley, the school arrived at the number of 18 students per class for the program to be cost effective, and on April 21 held an information meeting with approximately 25 parents in attendance.
While interest in the program originated several years ago, Brentwood Elementary School began moving ahead with the program and actively inquiring about community interest after meetings with schools in Okotoks, Chestermere, and High River – all of which currently have successful French immersion programs.
“I think parents are actually looking for an opportunity for their kids to learn a second language and we totally know that learning a second language when you’re little is much easier than when you’re older,” said Huntley. “The skills that you use and develop learning a second language are skills that you use in other areas of your academics and even your social life.”
Over the years, the school and Golden Hills School Division (GHSD) have received numerous requests from families inquiring about second-language programming in Strathmore. With a lack of immersion programs available, some families, who live in Strathmore, have enrolled their children in schools located in Chestermere and even Calgary.
“Typically every year as parents move into Strathmore we get requests for French immersion programming and to this stage we haven’t been able to offer that,” said Bevan Daverne, Superintendent for GHSD. “Being able to speak a second language is a big deal. We’re excited for the potential for new programming in town … and based on lots of parent requests over the years we think that would fill a need. If parents are thinking about it, now is the time to see the school and let them know.”
Registration forms are now available at Brentwood Elementary School for the Kindergarten and Grade 1 French immersion program.
The school will need to decide in the coming weeks whether there is enough interest to forge ahead with the program in the fall. For more information on the program or registration contact the school at 403-934-5013.