Ooh là là! Tomoka Elementary showcases new French immersion program

Tomoka Elementary is the third school in Volusia County Schools to have a French immersion program, aimed to help students be proficient in the language by the time they graduate high school.

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When it comes to learning French, Tomoka Elementary students are doing très bien. 

On Thursday, Oct. 24, fifth graders got a chance to showcase what they have learned so far in the school's new French Immersion Program, the third of its kind across the district's elementary schools since Volusia County Schools created it last school year. In the program, which operates like a special area, students speak only in French to help prepare them to be proficient in the language by the time they graduate high school.

Tomoka Elementary School Principal Julie Roseboom said the French Immersion Program is a result of parents asking for a language program to be created in Ormond Beach.

"French was selected because our children don't speak French, so they are all starting on the same level playing field, all in the same place," Roseboom said. "We're very excited about that."

At the showcase event, students sang a song, recited the alphabet — both aloud and using French sign language — and highlighted their ability to count, name body parts and use common phrases. 

The district also launched two new Spanish-English dual language programs this year at Pierson Elementary and George Marks Elementary.

School Board member Jaime Haynes said it's her goal to see a language program implemented in every elementary school. When she was a student, she shared she took French, as she lived in Detroit, Michigan, close to the Canada border, where French is one of the county's official languages.

"To know that we brought French also to Volusia County, we're giving our students and parents options," Haynes said.

In the 90s, Tomoka Elementary was home to the district's English as a Second Language program, and School Board member Carl Persis, who was the Tomoka's principal at the time, shared it was a rewarding experience. 

"It was just so great," he said. "Everybody learned. All the teachers learned. So I am just thrilled that Tomoka Elementary right now is back, having a French immersion program."

Two and half years ago, VCS and the School Board made a commitment to dual language programs, Superintendent Carmen Balgobin said. At that time, the district had zero dual language programs and zero French immersion programs.

Now, the district has six dual language programs and three French immersion programs.

"We have made a commitment to add each and every year to this repertoire of services that we're providing to our students," Balgobin said. 

When students learn a new language, she said, they're also learning a new culture. 

"And how important that is, if our students are to compete globally?" she said. "Think about that. When you have an understanding of the culture — that's what breaks down barriers and opens doors to many, many, many opportunities."

 

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