The Canadian Rockies Public School Board (CRPS) is bolstering its programming next year by adding two new options for kindergarten students, a move that could greatly improve the education children receive during their formative years.
At its last meeting on Jan. 23, members of the public school board approved installing full-time French immersion and full-time half English, half French kindergarten programs at Elizabeth Rummel School (ERS) in Canmore.
Currently, there is already a program in place that offers half French immersion.
“This is a new offering that’s not offered in any other school or school division that I know,” said CRPS superintendent Chris MacPhee. “It’s generated coming from our very experienced teachers at Elizabeth Rummel.
“Both the French and English teachers worked together and thought this would be a really good option moving forward,” he explained. “We’re really interested to see what the response would be.”
For the half French, half English full-time program, the superintendent noted how beneficial it could be for kindergarten students as well as for parents when deciding which program to place their kids in after the first year.
“This piece where we have the half French, half English program, it’s a team approach where the teachers work together to coordinate a cohesive program for the two classes,” he said.
“What this does is create that option during the formative years where the parent is really able to get information from both the French and English teacher to make the best informed decision for their child,” he continued.
“It creates flexibility moving into that Grade 1 year and to what the most appropriate stream their child should be taking is.”
MacPhee said there has been demand for a full-time French immersion program in kindergarten, however, the decision to create the half and half program was based on feedback from teachers.
“When I have a teaching staff of over 120 years of experience, just in the kindergarten piece, and they’re telling me this may be a really viable option to assist parents, then as a superintendent I need to listen to my professionals on the ground and say ‘let’s give this a try’.”
The success of the new programs will be based on enrolment, as the superintended indicated CRPS will only offer what they have enough students for. If it is a success, he also said it’s “very possible” the programs will be extended to schools in Banff and Exshaw.
“When we’re talking about languages, the best time to introduce them is at those very young years,” he said. “What we have seen is not all children have the aptitude for learning a second language and so that’s where this option is able to help us sift through what would be the most appropriate option or program for the child.”
CRSP is holding two registration and information sessions regarding the new programs at Elizabeth Rummel School on Feb. 13 and April 16 at 6:30 p.m., which will be attended by teachers, principals and the superintendent to provide info and answer any questions.
“Choosing the proper placement for a child is a very important decision that weighs heavily upon parents,” he said. “I know it’s pertinent for parents to have all of the information possible to make an informed decision.”
