NORTH BATTLEFORD — A full week of activities marked French Second Language Education Week for French immersion students in the Battlefords.
John Paul II Collegiate and École Monseigneur Blaise Morand (EMBM) celebrated the week from Feb. 7 to 11, with the theme of "From the Classroom to the Stars! Dream. Act. Realize./ De la classe aux étoiles! Rêver. Agir. Réaliser."
One of the biggest events of the week was a mini-carnaval at John Paul II Collegiate. It took place Wednesday, with the participation of Grade 8 to 12 students in sled races and ice sculpture carving at the school’s south end.
Over at EMBM, activities included a virtual presentation for Grade 4 to 7 students by astronaut Chris Hadfield on Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 p.m., while Grades 1 to 3 were scheduled to see a virtual presentation by Juno-nominated musician Will Stroet Thursday. Other activities took place as well.
At the mini-carnaval event at John Paul II Collegiate, students there explained how they got involved in French immersion and why they still saw benefit from it.
“It’s a lot of work, but then you surround yourself with like-minded people and it just creates a really positive environment for working,” said Grade 12 student Jared Marjoram. He said he started in kindergarten and is now fluently bilingual.
“It just builds good habits … you get good study habits,” he said of the benefits. As well the program built good relationships, he said.
Another Grade 12 student, Ava Bahrey, also pointed to the friendships built.
“I’ve gained lots of good relationships with teachers, lots of peers and I’ve also learned a lot about the French culture,” she said.
Bahrey says she believes being exposed to a different culture was valuable as well, pointing to a trip to Quebec in Grade 9 where she got a first-hand look at the history and importance of the language. One reason she stayed with French immersion was because it was helpful with her cognitive flexibility with other classes as well.
“I think I’ll value it for the rest of my life," said Bahrey.
