Montgomery Street Elementary School had a visit from the
minister of Education and Early Childhood Development on August 31.
Minister Brian Kenny announced that 15
French immersion leads and a refreshed curriculum have been added to the Anglophone
school system to support the return of Grade 1 French immersion in September.
French immersion leads are teachers with expertise who will
work in the classroom with teachers and students to enhance French learning.
The Grade 1 curriculum aims to foster a stronger focus on
literacy. The emphasis on oral language, reading and writing will be integrated
into subjects such as science, health and social studies. To familiarize
themselves with the curriculum, teachers took part in professional learning
this summer.
“Ensuring the proper resources are in place and available
plays an important role in the success of any program. This support will be
particularly important this year with the introduction of refreshed curriculum
for French immersion,” said Nikki Bélanger-Turcotte, French immersion lead, Anglophone
West School District. “This announcement is a step in the right direction of
providing teachers with the resources and tools needed to help students
succeed.”
In addition, a two-year French-language pilot project will
begin this school year at one school in each of the four Anglophone districts. The
pilot project will allow students to learn to speak, read and write in French
in the areas of literacy, numeracy, art, music and culture for a minimum of 15
minutes per day. Doaktown Elementary School is
the school in Anglophone West
School District.
In total, 68 schools will have early French immersion
beginning in September, including Keswick Ridge School, Minto Elementary/Middle
School and Montgomery Street Elementary School from Anglophone West School
District that will offer the program for the first time.
From left: Kurt Stiles, principal, Montgomery Street
Elementary School;
Nikki Bélanger-Turcotte, French immersion lead, Anglophone
West School District;
Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Brian
Kenny; and Neena
Smith, teacher, Grade 1 French immersion, Montgomery Street
Elementary School.