Foreign Language Immersion in the Jefferson Parish Public School System 1.FL Immersion in JPPSS 2.Why choose an Immersion education for my child? 3.Contacts

FOREIGN LANGUAGE IMMERSION IN THE JEFFERSON PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM

FL Immersion in JPPSS What is Foreign Language Immersion? A program in which children follow the regular curriculum while becoming fluent speakers of another language. Mathematics, Science, Social Studies /Technology, Social Living, PE, Art and French/Spanish Language Art are taught in the FL language 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.

FL Immersion in JPPSS What is Foreign Language 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 FL immersion students are higher than the average district scores. After 2 years in FL Immersion, students become fluent speakers of the foreign language.

FL Immersion in JPPSS Where is FRENCH immersion? FRENCH programs already exists at J.C. ELLIS ELEMENTARY and HAYNES ACADEMY: Ellis - Pre-K to 5 th Grade (August 2009) Haynes – 6 th – 8 th (dependent on enrollment) A program is starting at KATE MIDDLETON ELEMENTARY: Pre-K (August 2009)

FL Immersion in JPPSS Where is SPANISH immersion? SPANISH programs exist at J.C. ELLIS ELEMENTARY (Eastbank) and BOUDREAUX ELEMENTARY (Westbank): Ellis - Pre-K to 2 nd Grade (August 2009) Boudreaux – PreK – 3 rd Grade (August 2009)

FL 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 for English only- speaking children should not be later than first grade.

FL 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.

Why choose a FL Immersion education for my child?

Why choose a FL 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.

Why choose a FL Immersion education for my child? Do you speak Spanish? Spanish is spoken as a first language by about 330 million people Spanish is spoken as a second language by perhaps another 50 million. Spanish is the official national language in 21 countries.

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

Why choose a Spanish Immersion education for my child? Some Spanish-speaking countries: Spain Mexico Honduras According to the 2000 United States Census, Spanish is spoken most frequently at home by about 28.1 million people aged 5 or over in the USA.

Why choose a FL Immersion education for my child? Acknowledging the Past Heritage : French and Spanish 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.

Why choose a FL Immersion education for my child? Enhancing the Present Through the FL immersion program, your child will become bilingual and will be able to communicate freely in two languages. 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 better internalize the mechanisms of all languages.

Why choose a FL 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 high school/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.

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

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

Why choose a FL Immersion education for my child? What types of businesses need Spanish speakers… Travel and Transportation International Banking and Finance Shipping - Import/Export Agricultural Engineering And more….!

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

Contacts

For more information on a French Immersion program, please contact: JC Ellis Elementary School (East Bank) 801 Brockenbraugh Court, Metairie Contact: Thomas Chaze, 4 th Grade French Immersion Teacher Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies (Middle School – East Bank) 1416 Metairie Rd., Metairie, LA Contact: Roxane Coron, Immersion Specialist Kate Middleton Elementary School (West Bank) Aretha Eldridge-Williams, Principal 1407 Virgil Street, Gretna

For more information on a Spanish Immersion program: JC Ellis Elementary (East Bank) 801 Brockenbraugh Court, Metairie Contact: Julie Berner, Principal Geraldine Boudreaux Elementary (Westbank) 950 Behrman Hwy, Terrytown Contact: Esther Tabrane, Immersion Team Leader

For General Information: Jefferson Parish Public School System Elizabeth Anderson, Foreign Language Coordinator

Merci beaucoup! Muchísimas Grácias!