French Immersion gets go-ahead

Andrea Roberts
Times Intern

 

Brentwood Elementary School is all set to introduce their Kindergarten and Grade 1 French immersion program in September.
The school had wanted to start the program for some time, and this year everything fell into place and the planning began.
The school had a number of interested parents approach them after they spread the word about their interest in starting the program. They now have enough students to fill up the classes.
“We are really excited about the program,” said Erin Friesen, associate principal of Brentwood school. “We are really passionate about making it a viable program. We have got some strong numbers and enough students to make the program really quite viable into the future.”
A French immersion program existed in the Golden Hills School District many years ago, but Brentwood Elementary wanted to bring it back as they felt the program fit with their school. They hope to eventually build it up so the program goes to Grade 6.
However, before the program could get the go-ahead, the school had to find a suitable teacher. Claire Berenger, who is proficient in early numeracy and early literacy, was found to be more than suitable for the position, according to Friesen. She will help students gain an understanding of the French language through talking and listening. Once the students have become proficient in the language, they will move on to reading and writing.
They will do most of their core classes – such as math, science and social studies – in French, and will also take part in a French language arts class. They will receive English language tutelage in Grade 3, and music and physical education will be taught in English.
For more information and to register in the French immersion program, contact Brentwood Elementary School at 403-934-5013.