<p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><figure><img src="/images/6657a885-30a9-4977-9003-5bd1db8d51a8" alt="Late French Immersion" width="459" height="355" style="width:459px;height:355px;display:inline-block;float:left"><figurecaption>Photo credit: Amanda Tait</figurecaption></figure><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Did you know that the K̓wsaltktnéws ne Secwepemcúl’ecw School District 83 (SD83) offers a program called Late French Immersion? This program offers students an opportunity to enter French Immersion at a later age.&nbsp;The District’s program is housed at Shuswap Middle School and is going into its 21st year! Late French Immersion represents a joyful, transformational learning opportunity open to all Grade 6 students in SD83. Late French Immersion (LFI) allows Grade 6 students the chance to learn to speak, read, and write French in just one short year.&nbsp;Students do not need to be able to speak or know any French, nor do their parents for that matter. LFI students are motivated, hard-working and determined learners. All subjects are taught in French in Grade 6 and English is reintroduced in Grade 8. LFI students then go on to J.L. Jackson and integrate seamlessly with students from Early French Immersion.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">LFI is more than just your average language experience. It is a type of learning experience that supercedes the “norm.” Where do you get the chance as a learner to be absorbed into a close-knit community where everyone has chosen to come together for the same goal: learn French, speak French, dream in French? The happiness that emanates from the room in LFI is contagious. They’re a team and a family and they work hard to achieve their goal. That doesn’t mean that they don’t have tough days, because they do. Taking a risk is hard. But in the end, it is always rewarding. Students feel like they have been on this journey together resulting in this beautiful, bilingual landscape that they would have missed out on if they hadn’t taken the challenge.&nbsp;&nbsp;LFI is a life-changing program. Few educational programs do what LFI does for students. LFI empowers students in believing that they can do anything and be anything that they choose in life. The best kind of learning is that which transforms the learner. LFI does just that.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A parent information evening will be held on </span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Thursday, January 15, 2026,&nbsp;at 6:00 p.m. at Shuswap Middle School</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> for parents and students who wish to learn more about the program. A sign-up link for the program will be given to parents directly following the meeting, so it is important to attend. The same link will go live on websites shortly after the meeting for those unable to attend on a first come first served basis. If you have any questions, please forward them to Mme Rita Tedesco at Bastion Elementary, 250-832-3741 or Ms. Val Edgell Principal at SMS 250-832-6031.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><i><em class="editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Rita Tedesco is the District French Programs Coordinator for SD 83.</em></i></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">For more programming details, read the</span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </strong></b><a href="/documents/10d770dc-c0ef-4db6-b255-81f27b1ad0b4/2026-Late-French-Immersion-Brochure.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Late French Immersion Brochure</strong></b></a><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">.</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><img src="/images/145e89ab-014b-490a-a2bf-e58511a279a7" alt="Late French Immersion Poster" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><i><em class="editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Story provided by Kathleen Miege, Teacher at Salmon Arm Secondary School</em></i></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">One of the goals of the Individual Achievement Program (IAP) is to be a great community member—and nothing says “community spirit” like helping with the recycling program&nbsp;and&nbsp;chasing kindergarteners around the gym. The IAP teamed up with Ms. Webster’s&nbsp;Bastion Elementary&nbsp;kindergarten class, Mr.&nbsp;Boyd&nbsp;and playful volunteers from his 11/12 PE class, and Mr. Robert with the grade 10 concert band for a collaborative morning of learning and fun.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The day kicked off with gym games where the kindergarteners handily outlasted their teenage counterparts in games like Snakes and Ladders, Islands, and Four-Corner Soccer. (It turns out 5-year-olds have&nbsp;infinite energy. (Who knew?)&nbsp;After&nbsp;snacks&nbsp;in the cafeteria, everyone enjoyed a mini-Christmas concert featuring band instrument demos—including some remarkably realistic duck sounds—magic conductor wands, and a highly spirited penguin dance.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A short tour of Salmon Arm Secondary (SAS) wrapped up the morning, complete with a surprise stop at the school shop where Mr. Johnson fielded curious questions. The kindergarteners brought big smiles and contagious joy to SAS, giving our older students—especially those in the IAP—a chance to be role models, share laughter, and help our youngest learners explore and grow.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/89d227fc-65a8-4cc4-826f-c42552340e6c" alt="image 27 " width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/416da8cd-60d2-4646-93bc-4b3b77006485" alt="image 26 " width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</span></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Is your child in Elementary or Middle School? If so, your child will be bringing home their first Written Learning Update for the 2025-26 school year. This first Learning Update primarily focuses on strengths, areas of growth, and next steps in curricular areas (with a focus on Language Arts and Math in Elementary), as well as provides information about your child’s engagement in learning, relationships with others, and social/emotional well-being.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><img src="/images/8ba91ac4-e4d0-58f4-b645-41e46b0f4ebd" alt="" width="1024" height="inherit" style="width:1024px;display:inline-block;float:left;height:inherit"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Also included in your child’s Learning Update is a self-reflection of the Core Competencies they focused on this term.&nbsp;The Core Competencies are sets of intellectual, personal, and social and emotional proficiencies that all students need in order to engage in deep, lifelong learning. Specific goal(s) set earlier this fall with your child&nbsp;are&nbsp;also referred to in the Learning Update, as goal setting is a curricular requirement and also an important&nbsp;lifelong skill.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Please review the Learning Update with your child and celebrate all your child’s successes to date this year! You may access the Learning Update in the MyEd BC Family Portal: </span><a href="https://www.sd83.bc.ca/myeducation-bc-family-portal-parentconnect-portal" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">MyEd BC Family Portal Information</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">As always, please reach out to your child’s teacher if you have any questions or concerns about your child’s Learning Update.</span><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><a href="https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/education/administration/kindergarten-to-grade-12/english-communicating-student-learning-information-for-parents-and-caregivers-package.pdf" target="_blank" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Click to access english-communicating-student-learning-information-for-parents-and-caregivers-package.pdf</span></a></p>