School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake)
Innovative Learning Services Department
570 Johnstone, Nelson, B.C. V1L 6J2
Telephone: (250) 352-6681 Fax: (250) 352-6686
Toll Free: 1-877-230-2288 Web: www.sd8.bc.ca
Academic Success ◊ Creativity and Imagination ◊ Citizenship ◊ Resiliency
BONJOUR!
The SD 8 (Kootenay Lake) Late French Immersion Program is
an Exciting Opportunity for Interested Students Entering
Grade 6 in the 2017-2018 School Year!
We are very pleased to be able to offer a Late French Immersion Program for up to sixty students
entering Grade 6 in the 2017-2018 school year. All students who have successfully completed
Grade 5 and are residents in the Kootenay Lake District are eligible. The Program is located at
Trafalgar Middle School for Grades 6-8, and continues for Grades 9-12 at LV Rogers Secondary
School.
Parents, guardians and students who may be interested in pursuing a French Immersion
educational program are invited to an Information Session on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at
7:00 PM (PST) at the SD 8 (Kootenay Lake) Board Office at 570 Johnstone Road, Nelson, BC.
The purpose of this session will be to share information about the program and the application
process. We recognize that not all interested families will be able to attend, so up-to-date
information will be available on our website at www.sd8.bc.ca.
Because the Late French Immersion Program is limited to sixty students, a process of application
is necessary. Details regarding the application process for the Late French Immersion Program
are included in this package and will be posted on our website.
We encourage parents to involve their child in the discussion about French Immersion as this
contributes to the success of the student in the program.
What is Late French Immersion?
The major goal of French Immersion is to provide the opportunity for non-Francophone students to
become bilingual in English and French.
Late French Immersion starts in Grade 6 and continues to Grade 12. In Grade 6, the program is
strongly oral language based, with all subjects being taught in French, except Options. Between
Grade 7-12, the percentage of French instruction slowly decreases. For more information on
program specifics, visit: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/educationtraining/administration/legislation-policy/public-schools/french-immersion-program.
Students in the Late Immersion program will participate in all school activities. It is expected that
their educational experience will be enhanced at both Trafalgar and LV Rogers where the French
language environment is part of a dual track school. A rich selection of French language resources
is available and a variety of cultural activities are offered in French.
Application Process for Late French Immersion
1. Applications for Late French Immersion will be accepted at the Board Office at 570 Johnstone
Road in Nelson starting at 9:00 am on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 until 4:00 pm on
Wednesday, March 15, 2017. Applications will be accepted in person to Willow Makortoff,
Executive Assistant, or by fax at 250-352-6686, or by email to [email protected].
2. On Thursday, March 16, 2017, a lottery will be held to identify the successful applicants and to
establish a waitlist, if necessary. The lottery will be conducted by the Director of Innovative
Learning Services (or designate), the Superintendent, the French Immersion Coordinator, and
a DPAC representative.
3. A letter will be sent to each applicant, either offering them a spot in the program, or a numbered
position on the waitlist. The District will not be phoning successful applicants.
4. Out of District applications will be considered in September, pending available space.
5. Applications received after the closing date will be subject to Policy 461, School Choice &
Catchment: http://www.sd8.bc.ca/Policy/461SchoolChoice&Catchments.pdf.
NOTE: The opportunity for waitlisted students to enter the program will close September, 22, 2017.
Application Process for Entry in Grades 7-12
A student applying to enter the French Immersion program after Grade 6 will need to be assessed
in order to determine if their level of French language is appropriate for entry.
The process will be as follows:
1. Applications for Grades 7-12 French Immersion will be accepted at the incoming school.
2. If there is space available applications will be forwarded for review to the FI Coordinator.
Applications will be reviewed on a first come first served basis.
3. The FI Coordinator will arrange an assessment of the student’s spoken and written French, as
well as reading and aural comprehension.
4. All student applications will be subject to Policy 461, School Choice & Catchment:
http://www.sd8.bc.ca/Policy/461SchoolChoice&Catchments.pdf
5. All decisions will be made in conjunction with the administration at Trafalgar, LVR and the
Director of Innovative Learning Services.
FI program questions may be directed by email to Lindsay MacKay, [email protected] and
application inquiries may be directed by email to: Willow Makortoff, [email protected].