Flin Flon’s French Immersion program is celebrating a très bien milestone – 30 years of sharing and celebrating the French language.
Sylvie Dufour, a vice-principal and teacher at École McIsaac School, introduced the program to the community in 1983.
A Quebec native, Dufour had recently finished her education degree when the opportunity to move north presented itself.
Now, three decades later the program continues to thrive with roughly 100 students enrolled in French Immersion each year at McIsaac.
“What’s so surprising to our French Immersion program is the stability of the program in the last 31 years,” said Dufour.
Though the program originally started 31 years ago, the 30th anniversary celebration was unable to be held until this year.
Between Kindergarten and Grade 8, McIsaac continues to see between 95 and 107 students enrolled in the program each year.
After McIsaac, students are able to take courses in French at Hapnot Collegiate.
In comparing the program in Flin Flon to other communities around the province, Dufour sees a big difference locally.
“Sometimes [other schools] have more students and sometimes they have less, but it’s really flexible,” said Dufour of programs throughout the province. “They are always up and down. The stability of our program makes a big difference.”
Leslie Fernandes, who has two children in French Immersion, says she sees the benefits of the program daily.
“We completely see the value in learning French,” Fernandes said. “It’s just been a few short years in the program and they are communicating in French and having full conversations.”
“It’s really an amazing program,” said Dufour. “I’m proud of my program – my baby.”
Since her initial class of 21 students in 1983, Dufour has seen roughly 2,500 students pass through the program, which has been based at both Ruth Betts and McIsaac schools.
“I’m proud to see my students outside of class,” she Dufour, a mother of two boys who were enrolled in French Immersion. “When I meet them outside and they speak French to me, that’s the best thing.”
The Canadian Parents for French (CPF), an advocacy group, will be celebrating the achievements of staff and students within the French Immersion program with an anniversary party.
The family-friendly evening will be held at the Flin Flon Community Hall on Thursday with appreciation awards for staff and students along with live entertainment.
“We’re just looking for a way to say thank you to teachers, parents and students,” said Fernandes, a CPF member.
The evening will feature live music from French performer Marie-Josée Clément. Based out of Winnipeg, the French artist will perform child-friendly tunes as well as music geared towards an older audience.
Fernandes, a mother of two children in French Immersion, says Clément is well regarded as a popular jazzy-pop musician.
Family members and peers will watch as the French Immersion students make a presentation. A number of students will have their own artwork on display for a silent auction.
The students were given the opportunity to create a piece of art, whether it be a painting, sculpture, drawing or whatever they see fit, to be displayed Thursday evening.
