About 2 months ago I went to KSL.com to look at something in the classifieds. I decided to quickly scroll down and check the news first. At the very bottom of the page was a little headline that said something like-"Jordan School District to offer new language immersion programs next year". I thought, "they're probably all Spanish", but I clicked the link anyway. I started reading and sure enough the first five mentioned were Spanish (which is completely normal!), but then at the very end it said there was going to be one French and one Chinese program. I couldn't believe it! I didn't quite have my hopes up yet because we don't live in that district but I thought it was worth looking into. I researched which school would have the French program to see how far away it is. Amazingly, it is at one of the Southern-most elementary schools in Draper, 8 miles from our house! I called Roland who immediately called the district. He was transferred a few times until he reached the principal. She was thrilled to hear from him and promised him she would do everything she could to make sure Eric got in. She took his info and said she'd call. Later that night I tried to show Roland the article on KSL and it was no longer on their front page. If I hadn't scrolled down to look at the news I never would have found it!
Fast forward a month and a half and we still hadn't heard from the principal. After attending the Draper Temple Open House, I said to Roland, "let's drive around and see if we can find that school". He reminded me that we did not have the address with us and there are about 500 elementary schools in Draper. But he said we could look for a few minutes. After a couple turns we were right in front of it! The sign out front read "French Immersion parent meeting next Wednesday". Roland went inside and found the principal who had lost his info and had no way to call him. She was again thrilled to hear from him and invited us to the meeting.
At the meeting we learned that there has been very high interest from within school boundaries so they would not be able to accept students from outside the district other than the 4 spaces reserved for children with native parents! WOOOOHOOO!
He is now registered for 1st grade at Oak Hollow Elementary. He will have 50% in one classroom with a strict French-only policy (the teacher is from Canada) and 50% of his day in an English classroom. All of his math and some science, PE, and music will be in French along with French literacy and the rest will be English. His French skills will be like native speakers within a couple of years (they are starting the program with 1st grade and will be hiring new teachers every year until they reach 6th grade, at which point there are plans in place to carry them through junior and senior high). Emilie, Lydie and Charlie are automatically accepted now that Eric is in the program!
Roland and I have been truly humbled to see how the Lord has blessed our children with this opportunity. We know it was by the Hand of the Lord that we were able to find this program and we are so excited for Eric and his siblings to have this great chance!
p.s. yes, Eric is very excited to be able to learn French. And, yes, he is also a little sad that he won't be able to go to school with his neighborhood friends.
17 comments:
WOW WOW WOW!!! That is so cool!!! I remember you telling me about it a while ago, but talk about miracles. You are surely blessed! To end up right in front of it? To see that on the marquee? So cool. I'm glad its working out and you deserve it.
That's so neat and exciting! Such a sweet tender mercy of the Lord.
That's great. But you should be aware of the district split, and how that will affect the program. Ask me about it if you have questions. I know that the high schools East of the freeway will be in the new district, not the Jordan District. I don't know where the boundaries are for all of the elementary schools.
That will be so wonderful for Eric and for your family. However, Eric and Roland will now be able to have conversations and you won't know what they are saying! I love how it all came together. You are very blessed.
That is so awesome. I love when you can actually see things play out and wonder how it all worked. Seriously, it's just perfect for your family, I'm excited for you.
best story EVER.
i am so happy for all of you.
Tricia-
I am aware of the district split and the fact that his school will now be in the Canyons district. This program is something that his school applied for and got funding through a state grant. It will not change with the new district. thanks for the concern though! :)
That is so awesome! This will be a great opportunity for him to gain even more friends! I cannot wait to hear him running around talking in French!!
That is Great! It is amazing how the lord works. What a great opportunity I am excited for all your kids!
What wonderful news! that is going to be such a great experience for him!
This is truly a miracle and one for the hand of the Lord journal, for sure. What a great blessing it will be for your kids and for Michel and Liliane to finally have the opportunity to talk with their grandkids... it gives me goosebumps just to think about it!
That is so great! How exciting for your family. It really is a miracle that everything worked out just perfect!
Great news, Amie! This will no doubt be a tremendous blessing for the children, but also the entire family! Who knows what all the ramifications will be?
Oh my goodness that was the greatest story ever! Did you ask if you could join him? You will be left in the dust right? I guess it will come as you help him with his homework.
Glad you shared that one, so cool.
YAY!!! That is awesome and exciting for everyone!! Wonderful that it is so close too!! I've heard great things about the immersion programs! Congrats!
Woohoo! That's fantastic.
Watch. He'll learn all this French and then he'll be called to a Spanish-speaking mission. ;-)
I love hearing stories of people's tender mercies of the Lord! I bet Eric is going to love that.
I especially love to hear you talking about Charlie going to school here- that means you have to stay here!
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