Loading ... Loading ...French Curriculum in Saanich? Mais Oui!
June 1, 2012 | 
Author By Ed Johnson, Citizen Journalist
Photo by Ed Johnson
Six year old Nicola Adlerstarre thought it was “pretty neat to be with the big kids” when Kindergartners and Grade 12 French immersion students in Saanich, recently celebrated their annual gift exchange at Stelly’s High School.
The exchange is a symbolic “passing of the torch”, where senior graduating students present to their young counterparts a letter of encouragement, as they begin their twelve year journey in the french program. For the exchange, the graduates in return received a USB pen from the youngsters.
The annual gift exchange has been a tradition in Saanich for nineteen years, between children of Keating and Deep Cove Elementary Schools and Stellys High School. Kim Currie, President of Canadian Parents for French, Saanich Chapter, is proud of their accomplishments. This year there were 95 K-students and 38 Grade 12 graduates. “The program has seen an increase of over 15% year after year…We also have the highest retention rate in BC” she adds.
Photo by Ed Johnson
The first three or four years only French is spoken in the classroom.
The brave five and six year old initiates were led in small groups into the auditorium, with their names broadcast to the proud parents and onlookers. After having their picture taken while exchanging gifts, all remained seated on stage awaiting the grand finale-the moment when Mary Lynn Heron, Vice-Principal of Keating Elementary, led the children in a singing rendition of “Y’a un chat,” composed by Charlotte Diamond.
Nicola’s mom, Susan Fidyk, said her daughter Nicola was thrilled to finally perform the song that the children had been practicing.
In attendance were Mayor Alistair Bryson, Central Saanich Councillors Zeb King and Carl Jensen. All three were asked for their comments. Councillor Zeb King commented, ”Standing here today and seeing the next generation, reminds me how important the decisions are that we make as a community.”
As evening drew to a close, the children were beaming while they held closely their very own letter of encouragement. But it may a couple of years before the children can read their letter – it was written in french, mais oui!
Photo by Ed Johnson
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4 Responses to “French Curriculum in Saanich? Mais Oui!”
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Thank you Saanich Voice Online for covering our community event. The Annual CPF-Saanich K/12 Gift Exchange is considered one of our cornerstone events and celebrates the journey of our French Immersion students from kindergarten to Grade 12. It is a special night and requires the contribution of many people to progress smoothly. Thank you to the volunteers, Grade 12 students, Kindergarten students, parents, teachers and school administrations for their participation and support.
I thought I should clarify that while enrolment within the French Immersion programs of southern Vancouver Island and the province continue to grow, they are not at 15%. The actual numbers are still notable with French Immersion students now accounting for 8.1% of total public school enrolment. In fact, 2011-12 marks the 14th consecutive year of increased growth for French Immersion enrollment within British Columbia. A more complete breakdown of enrolment numbers can be found on the CPF- BC & Yukon webside (http://www.cpf.bc.ca/site3/index.php/media/press-releases/1688-french-immersion-enrollment-reaches-14th-year-of-growth).
Sincerely,
Kim Currie
President
Canadian Parents for French – Saanich Chapter
Charming article… made my day… merci beaucoup!
Thanks for covering this wonderful event that showcases Canadian Parents for French’s motto: “Proud of two languages!”
Next year, will be the 20th anniversary of the Kindergarten Grade 12 Gift Exchange.
The first cohort of Grade 12 graduates are now almost 40 with children of their own in the French Immersion Program, and includes a few teachers in the Saanich School District.
Thank you to the parents and teachers who continue the tradition!
I am thrilled that there is such an interest in learning another language BUT I am dismayed and disgusted with myself for not becoming fluent in French or any other language for that matter. That being said-now that I am retired and have run out of excuses, I have promised my husband who is a francophone that I will learn at least one new French word a day. At the same time, I am realizing how many of my neighbours speak languages other than our official languages and yet I have never ever even asked one of them how they might say common words and phrases in their language! Well that is going to change too because from now on I am going to be curious and ask the people I meet who speak different languages how to say the words, phrases and expressions that we repeat time and time again! I am looking forward to learning even a tiny bit of German, First Nations, Mandarin, Italian, Spanish, and Arabic etc… We want our children to be curious about the world, history and geography etc. but it is my hope that like the parents of children studying French that we will also encourage them to be curious about learning many languages-developing skills to communicate with people in whatever part of the world they may live! Think how much better we would be at understanding the many different cultures all around us! Good-bye, au revoir, and adios for now!! Carol