The future of French immersion classes within the Northern Lights School Division's Cold Lake schools is being contemplated.
Declining enrolment numbers has caused the division to take a closer look at the French programming and engage in a consultation with parents of French immersion students.
“French immersion was put in five to seven years ago to see if there is a market. As students are getting older, French immersion numbers are dropping off, especially in middle school,” said NLSD superintendent Rick Cusson.
For the 2015/'16 school year there is a total of 121 students enrolled in French immersion in NLSD's three Cold Lake schools that offer it. Out of the 271 students at Art Smith Aviation Academy, there are currently 60 students in French immersion. At Cold Lake Middle School 14 of their 300 students are in French immersion, and 47 students at North Star Elementary School out of a total student body of 312.
“You always have to recognize what your community need is. We know that second language is so important but we also know that second language interests in a number of areas exist,” said board chair Arlene Hrynyk. “I think it's always finding what your second language interests in your community are and having that ability, based on student population, to provide appropriate programming.”
On Jan. 21, parents of French immersion students in Cold Lake will be meeting with division officials to discuss how to make French immersion a more viable program. Associate superintendent Roy Ripkens told the NLSD board of trustees during their Jan. 13 meeting that the meeting doesn't have a specific agenda, but will be a general conversation about French immersion and how to get more parents interested in it.
There are a number of options that could be considered for the French immersion programming in Cold Lake. Following the consultations, NLSD administration will be putting together recommendations for the board of trustees to review.
“Based on what they put forth in consultation, plus staff input, we'll move forward from there,” said Cusson. “We can look at the pros and cons of moving into a centralized location. From a teaching perspective it would be beneficial but we'll have to see what the parents say. We want to know how to make French immersion more viable.”
The consultation meetings for parents of French immersion students in Cold Lake will be held Jan. 21 at 6:30 p.m. in Cold Lake High School. Hrynyk expressed that it's a good opportunity for parents to share their input and have their voices heard.
“I think the most important piece is the opportunities we explore to revisit to French immersion program in the Cold Lake area so we look forward to seeing the recommendations come forward from admin after they've consulted with the community.”
