French Immersion programs have been developed throughout Canada for Anglophone students who will become functionally bilingual by the end of secondary school. Over the long term, this can be accomplished without loss in other subject areas or in personal and social growth. In the Kamloops (Thompson School District, where French Immersion classes began in September 1979, we provide early immersion which begins in Kindergarten and continues successfully throughout the years of the program to Graduation.

This information has been prepared to give you as much information as possible about French Immersion in the Kamloops schools. You, as parents have the right to choose either the English program or the French Immersion program for your child as he/she starts school. As you are at least considering the French Immersion program, you no doubt have many questions and concerns about how your child might adjust to French Immersion.

What about transportation? What resources are available in French in the school and throughout the district? Should I teach my child to read in English? This booklet, along with the public information meetings for parents of prospective Kindergarten Immersion children, will provide you with the information to help you make your decision.