Students at Millstream Elementary school will have access to hundreds of new French immersion books in the coming weeks.
As part of a more than $16,000 grant from the Ministry of Education for French Second Language programs in the Sooke School District, half of the money will go towards purchasing French books for the school.
“We can’t wait to see them all up for kids at the school to use. They will now have a greater range of books in French that will target all grades and learning needs at the school,” said Janet Miles, president of the Canadian Parents for French British Columbia and Yukon Branch’s Sooke district chapter in an email.
French immersion numbers have increased around the district, however funding levels have not kept up, which has meant resources have been stretched thin, Miles said. In recent years the chapter, which provides French opportunities, resources and support for local French programs, has lobbied the federal government to increase funding.
READ MORE: Parents lobby for more French resource funding
Now the chapter is seeing the fruits of its labour.
Some books have already started to hit the shelves, but there are still between 300 to 400 books that need to be entered into the library system. Books will be available for all grade levels and learning needs.
“This is a really exciting thing to see our kids finally get access to these books. We are so grateful of the ministry support and to our school district, we hope to continue to work together for our kids,” Miles said. “We all want our kids to have a quality education, and that’s no exception for French immersion in an officially bilingual country.”
The reminder of the grant will be divided among schools that have also seen an increase in students in the French Second Language program.
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kendra.wong@goldstreamgazette.com