EIPS Students Dunk On Language Learning and Data Science this National French Immersion Day

French Immersion students from Ardrossan Junior Senior High and Sherwood Heights Junior High connected their French language learning to data science and basketball during a Data Dunkers workshop.

Sherwood Park, AB. — French Immersion students across Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) are exploring what the French language means to them this National French Immersion Day and beyond. “As a francophone student in a French Immersion school, I’ve had many opportunities to practice the French language through diverse activities,” says Lucy Bérubé, a Grade 10 student at Ardrossan Junior Senior High. “I’ve gone to two consecutive Jeux francophones de l’Alberta—winning gold and silver. I also performed in the Chicane music competition from the Centre de développement musical.”

Grade 8 students in French Immersion at Ardrossan Junior Senior High and Sherwood Heights Junior High have linked their language learning to data science during an action-packed basketball workshop called Data Dunkers. Students spent time shooting hoops and analyzing their data from the activity, comparing professional basketball players’ data to their own—all in French.

As a high school student, Bérubé appreciates the cultural immersion she’s experienced throughout her time in French Immersion. “I’ve been to many other French-speaking activities. They’ve opened the world of la Francophonie and introduced me to an amazing community of French-speaking people. Thanks to these opportunities, I’m encouraged to speak French in my daily life, which will ultimately open up more job opportunities in my future.”

During a campaign to bring awareness to National French Immersion Day, Ardrossan Junior Senior High student Kate Edwards shares what French Immersion means to her in a video from the Metropolitan Edmonton Regional French Immersion Program (MERFIP). The video features students from the Edmonton region and has been shared with all French Immersion schools to showcase why students love learning French and the benefits to students continuing in the program.

MERFIP believes French Immersion has helped students across Canada grow as bilingual, curious and confident learners. “National French Immersion Day is a celebration of the incredible opportunities that come from learning another language,” says Christine Gourley, a French Immersion consultant at EIPS. “Being bilingual opens the door to new cultures, ways of thinking and a broader worldview. Students who learn French gain cognitive, academic and social benefits that last a lifetime.”

Since 1972, French Immersion has played a vital role in Canada’s education landscape, empowering students to become bilingual, culturally aware and globally connected citizens. EIPS has offered French Immersion programming since 1995. Close to 30 years later, the Division continues to have a longstanding commitment to additional language learning and excellence in French Immersion education.

On National French Immersion Day and throughout the school year, EIPS celebrates students, educators and families studying an additional language across the Division. Students can enter the French Immersion program in kindergarten or Grade 1 at Ardrossan Elementary, École Campbelltown, École Parc Élémentaire or Heritage Hills Elementary. Currently, the program continues at both Sherwood Heights Junior High and Ardrossan Junior Senior High.

Elk Island Public Schools is one of Alberta’s largest school divisions, serving approximately 17,950 students in 42 schools. We are proud to be an integral part of our communities, including Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Vegreville, Strathcona and Lamont counties, and the western portion of the County of Minburn.

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For more information, media can contact:
Laura McNabb, Director, Communication Services, EIPS 780-417-8204 cell 780-405-4902