School superintendent Jan Unwin wants trustees to consider making elementary schools that offer French immersion French-only. Currently all French immersion schools in the district offer both French and English programming. However, increased demand for French Immersion classes has resulted in dwindling numbers for English classes.Unwin suggested the district look at the possibility of French immersion schools switching to French-only programming as way to deal with the increased demand.“Prior to next year, we need to decide where we want to head in the future around dual track schools,” Unwin said.“Given the decline in English, is the board interested in single-track French immersion down the road?”School District No. 42 operates its early French immersion program, for kindergarten to Grade 7, at Eric Langton, Laity View, and Pitt Meadows elementary schools.Kindergarten registration for French immersion has been higher than expected this year, resulting in three additional French classes.“In combination with declining enrollment, the surge has more impact,” said Unwin. “It’s a bigger rise, faster than we’ve seen in a long time, and we don’t know why.”A late French immersion program is also offered at Golden Ears elementary, for Grades 6 and 7, while Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge secondary offer high school French immersion programs.
