Which school for kindergarten - french or not?

brownie123 · August 2013

I feel torn. We moved to the country last summer, DD1 starts Kindergarten this year. My family has a french background, my DH's does not not. We don't speak french in the home, but I definitely think it would be beneficial for my kids to learn.

I registered DD in a french school, which is the designated french school for where we live, but it's a little ways from us (20mins or so). I got the bussing info, and she has to make 2 transfers just to get home! (I'll be driving her to school since it is only 1/2 days and she starts at noon). I'm beyond nervous.

There is another school, close to us, about 5 mins away. No french until grade 4, and it's only FSL, not immersion. 2 full days 1 week, 3 full days the next week. Pretty sure it's a direct bus home, no transfers.

I just don't know. School starts in 2 weeks!

lightgetsin · August 2013

I think you just have to decide what you value more; DD learning French or having a school that is closer/easier. Personally, I would go with the French school. If it stops working for you, you can switch.

Minipenguin · August 2013

Why are you nervous about driving her?

Personally, I would go with the French school. We are raising DD to speak French and English even though DH's family does not speak French. I think it is very difficult to become fluent in a language if you do not have the opportunity to speak it regularly. If she goes to school and makes friends with other kids who are also bilingual, it will be much easier for her to learn it. Have you started speaking it to/with her yet?

I also intend to send DD to Hellenic school when she is kindergarten age. I doubt she'll be fluent but it is more for the cultural exposure than the language.

notreallyirish · August 2013

I agree with PP that you have to decide what is more important to you. Personally I would go with the second option. Two bus transfers is a lot for any kid, especially one so young. And when she starts going full days in a year she will have a really long day with all that bussing. Are there any private language lessons or tutoring available outside of school? Or can you start speaking French with her? I wasn't clear if you do speak French or not.

notreallyirish · August 2013

letranger said:
Twenty minutes doesn't seem to far if you want her in a French immersion program.

I got the impression it was 20 minutes by car but a lot longer by bus.

LatteLady5 · August 2013

tmsgrl said:

I think you just have to decide what you value more; DD learning French or having a school that is closer/easier. Personally, I would go with the French school. If it stops working for you, you can switch.

I agree with this. I'd probably go with the French school. Also, I don't really think 20minutes is that far. The school I went to kids were bussed from nearly an hour away (rural area). Plus, you can use the time in the car to talk and at the end of the day she can tell you all about her days.

brownie123 · August 2013

It's not the 20 mins in for me to drive her, that I totally don't mind. It's the 2 transfers to take the bus home that has me nervous! I will pick be able to pick her up a lot of the time, but I do want to be prepared for grade 1 when she has to do this on a regular basis. I called transportation and they assured me that there are bus monitors at each stop to help and ensure that kids get to where they need to go.

I speak french, and she is eager to learn. I'm leaning towards keeping her in the French, just feeling overwhelmed with the transportation issue!

LatteLady5 · August 2013

brownie123 said:

It's not the 20 mins in for me to drive her, that I totally don't mind. It's the 2 transfers to take the bus home that has me nervous! I will pick be able to pick her up a lot of the time, but I do want to be prepared for grade 1 when she has to do this on a regular basis. I called transportation and they assured me that there are bus monitors at each stop to help and ensure that kids get to where they need to go.

I speak french, and she is eager to learn. I'm leaning towards keeping her in the French, just feeling overwhelmed with the transportation issue!

If she wants to go to the French school and you want that too I say give it a shot. If the transportation situation doesn't work out it's not like she's stuck there forever.

dizzycooks · August 2013

I would send her to the French school. Once you're there you may meet someone you can car pool with or hire a after school nanny/helper to do driving some of the days for you. I would be nervous about the stops too (I never head of kids making transfers?), but it seems like that is the only option and I'd prepare her for it and then do what I need to do to be happy with it.