1. French Immersion in Jefferson Parish Public School System 1.French Immersion in JPPSS 2.Why choose a French Immersion education for my child? 3.Contacts

2. 1. FRENCH IMMERSION IN JEFFERSON PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM

3. French Immersion in JPPSS What is French Immersion? A program in which children follow the regular curriculum while becoming fluent speakers in French. Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, PE, Art, Technology and Social Living are taught in French by a highly-qualified and certified teacher. Every day an English Language Arts block is taught by a highly-qualified and certified English-speaking teacher.

4. French Immersion in JPPSS What is French Immersion? The students take all the standardized tests required by Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, and No Child Left Behind (Interval Assessments, ILEAP, LEAP). The average test scores for French immersion students are higher than the average district scores. After 2 years in French Immersion, students become fluent French speakers.

5. French Immersion in JPPSS Where is French immersion? A program already exists at J.C. ELLIS ELEMENTARY: Pre-K to 5 th Grade (August 2009) A program is starting at KATE MIDDLETON ELEMENTARY: Pre-K (August 2009)

6. French Immersion in JPPSS Who can participate? Any child regardless of origin or cultural heritage Immersion is not a gifted program, and no tests are required for students to participate in the program. The point of entry into the program should not be later than first grade.

7. French Immersion in JPPSS Statement of Commitment The success of the program depends upon long-term participation. Parents should encourage their child especially in the first years when the target language is still to be learned. Parents should not feel discouraged if their child seems nervous about his/her new experience. Enrollment into the program requires a commitment from both parents and child in order to be successful.

8. Why choose a French Immersion education for my child?

9. Why choose a French Immersion education for my child? Do you speak French? French is spoken by 100 million people around the world as a first language. French is spoken by 200 million more people as a second language. The French language has significant speakers in 54 countries all over the world.

10. Why choose a French Immersion education for my child? Some large French speaking countries: Quebec France (Canada) Belgium There are many other smaller French-speaking countries.

11. Why choose a French Immersion education for my child? Acknowledging the Past Heritage : French language and Louisiana share a long history that did not end in 1803 when Napoleon sold Louisiana to the USA. Culture and Tradition: We experience it every day, either in the food we eat, the holidays we enjoy, the names that we say or the words that we use.

12. Why choose a French Immersion education for my child? Enhancing the Present Through the French immersion program, your child will become bilingual and will be able to communicate freely in French. Your child’s education becomes more challenging. Being bilingual makes it easier to learn a third language. Speaking another language helps broaden your child’s knowledge of the English language allowing him/her to internalize better the mechanism of all languages.

13. Why choose a French Immersion education for my child? Getting Ready for the Future Being bilingual will offer an increased and incredible range of job opportunities when your child is an adult. A bilingual education helps a teenager/college student be more aware and opened to the world he/she lives in. Being bilingual will help your child reach higher academic scores and goals in high school and college.

14. Why choose a French Immersion education for my child? Ready for an international career? Many companies all over the world need French and English speaking staff. Opportunities are everywhere…

15. Why choose a French Immersion education for my child? A few French companies with international branches: Dannon L’Oreal Michelin Renault-Nissan Group:

16. Why choose a French Immersion education for my child? “The man who speaks two languages is worth two men.” Voltaire (French Philosopher, 1694-1778)

17. 3. Contacts

18. For more information, please contact: Jefferson Parish Public School System Elizabeth Anderson, Foreign Language Coordinator 504 349 7703 JC Ellis Elementary School (East Bank) 801 Brockenbraugh Court, Metairie 70005 504 833 7254 Contact: Thomas Chaze, 4 th Grade French Immersion Teacher Kate Middleton Elementary School (West Bank) Aretha Eldridge-Williams, Principal 1407 Virgil Street, Gretna 70053 504 366 8164

19. Merci!