French Immersion Program Central Okanagan Public Schools

1. French Immersion ProgramCentral Okanagan Public Schools Parent Registration Information

3. WHY LEARNING A SECOND LANGUAGE MATTERS? Here is what our teachers say… • Creates opportunities and experiences to grow and develop personally and socially. • Further develops empathy and acceptance. • Contributes to students’ understanding of heritages and cultures, and therefore personal identities. • Contributes to lifelong learning and brain development.

4. WHY LEARNING A SECOND LANGUAGE MATTERS? Here is what our teachers say…. • To spark curiosity & foster the joy of learning languages. • To develop a peripheral cultural vision. • To create new brain pathways. • To enrich children's lives and thinking by creating meaningful connections.

5. WHY LEARNING A SECOND LANGUAGE MATTERS? Here is what our teachers say…. • Improves our children’s futures by increasing their brain development and learning potential. • Improves our children’s social future by expanding their world views, open-mindedness and connectedness with others. • Promotes meaningful global citizenship with authentic cultural, intellectual, and geographic adventures. • Expands sense of self in relation to the world.

7. ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS in the Central Okanagan Public Schools offering French Immersion (Kindergarten to Grade 6) • École Glenmore Elementary School • École Casorso ElementarySchool • École George Pringle Elementary School • École Peter GreerElementarySchool • École Belgo Elementary School • École Dorothea Walker Elementary School

8. FRENCH TO ENGLISH INSTRUCTION First three years of instruction (K to Grade 2) • aim to have 100 % of instruction in French Grade 3 to Grade 6 • aim is 80% French Instruction with 20% English Language Arts Grade 7 to 12 – please refer to school websites

9. MIDDLE/ SECONDARY SCHOOLS in the Central Okanagan Public Schools offering French Immersion Middle (Grades 7 to 9) • K.L .O. Middle School - Dr. Knox Middle School Secondary( Grades 10 to 12) - Kelowna SecondarySchool

10. Will my child’s English skills suffer? • Research indicates that second language learners transfer their literacy skills to English. • Provincial assessment confirms student achievement in English as well. • FI students’ scores are comparable and in some cases higher in non-French subjects.

11. Is French Immersion for all children? Research indicates that all children will succeed if given support.

12. School and Home Communication • Teachers are bilingual and can communicate in both French and English. • Report cards are in English. • School newsletters are in English. • School District communication is in English.

13. Would my child have a different curriculum to follow? Teachers teach the same learning outcomes as outlined by the British Columbia Ministry of Education for each grade level and subject area.

14. How can I help when I don’t speak French? • Encouragement is what is most important. • Continue supporting your child in English with daily reading & writing. • Establish good communication with your child’s teacher. • Have your child talk to you about his/her work and what they are doing at school. • Learn French with your child. Have him/her teach you some words.

15. How can I promote or support my child’s learning of French? • Have a positive attitude towards learning French. • Language is the best way to support your child.

16. Introduce French at Home • Pay attention to the French labels on cans, cereal boxes and any food items. • Purchase French books either in bookstores or at school book sales. • Look at the French channels on TV, Radio Canada, TV5, TVA. • Watch a well known Disney DVD in French with your child. • Start using common phrases like: “Bonjour” “Merci” “Comment çava?” • Count in French when setting the table. • Your child will learn French songs. Sing along with him/her. • Giveyourchild the job of teachingyouhow to speak French.

17. Transportation • French Immersion is a program of choice. • If your neighbourhood school offers the French Immersion program, transportation is available for eligible riders. • Transportation is a parent responsibility for students registered in a French Immersion School outside their neighbourhood school boundary area. • Parents often carpool, and students utilize city bus routes.

18. Cultural Opportunities • Schools host presentations that promote the French language and culture. • Many schools have French public speaking: “Concours d’art oratoire”. • Many schools facilitate French Cultural Days to promote the culture, the language and to help the students understand the history of French in Canada – eg. Cabane à sucre. • Middle and Secondary schools facilitate cultural exchange trips with French students.

19. How do I Register? • On-line registration begins February 6, 2017 and closes Friday, March 17, 2017. • The on-line registration advertisement will appear in the Daily Courier, Capital News, Westside Weekly, Peachland View and Lake Country Calendar. Have fun and celebrate the French Immersion experience with your child !