Bilingual Education Archives - North Seattle French School

Building Connections: How Our Study Buddy Program Strengthens the NSFS Community

communication — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 22:02:35 +0000

At North Seattle French School, one of the most cherished traditions among our students is the Study Buddy program—a simple yet powerful initiative that brings together older and younger students to learn from and support one another. More than just an academic partnership, it’s a relationship-building experience that fosters confidence, leadership, and a sense of belonging in our bilingual school community.

A Special Bond Across Grades

From the moment they are paired, our Study Buddies create meaningful connections. Older students take on a mentorship role, guiding their younger peers through activities, reading together, and sharing school traditions. Younger students, in turn, look up to their buddies, gaining confidence in their bilingual journey and feeling a stronger connection to the school as a whole.

This bond is especially evident in moments like when our 2nd graders practiced reading preschool books in class, preparing to read them aloud to their little preschool buddies. One student was so dedicated to getting it just right that he learned the books by heart!

Our preschoolers love these visits so much that they regularly ask their teacher, “When do we see our buddies again?” The excitement and anticipation show just how meaningful these relationships are to them.

The Benefits of the Study Buddy Program

The impact of the program goes beyond the classroom. Here’s why our students love it, and why parents appreciate its value:

Leadership & Responsibility: Older students develop patience, empathy, and leadership skills as they guide their younger buddies.
Confidence & Belonging: Younger students feel seen and supported, making their transition into school life smoother and more enjoyable.
Bilingual Growth: Interacting in both French and English, students practice language skills in an authentic, engaging way.
Community Spirit: The program reinforces the close-knit, supportive environment that makes NSFS unique.

Learning Through Fun and Connection

Beyond reading together, Study Buddy activities create lasting memories:

Making crêpes together: a delicious way to bond!
Playing board games: developing social and cognitive skills in a relaxed setting.
Practicing reading: boosting confidence in both French and English.

These shared experiences make the Study Buddy program one of the most beloved traditions at NSFS, creating friendships that last beyond a single school year.

The post Building Connections: How Our Study Buddy Program Strengthens the NSFS Community appeared first on North Seattle French School.

North Seattle French School Welcomes Seattle Kraken Player Yanni Gourde for an Inspiring Visit

communication — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 19:11:08 +0000

North Seattle French School’s students had the extraordinary opportunity to meet Yanni Gourde, a key player for the Seattle Kraken and a proud francophone from Quebec. Yanni Gourde took time to interact with our students, sharing stories about his hockey career and answering their eager questions in both French and English.

As a bilingual and francophone school, North Seattle French School (NSFS) strives to create meaningful, real-world connections for students, and Yanni’s visit brought this mission to life. With a strong community of families from Quebec and Canada, NSFS is proud to support students in becoming confident bilingual speakers who can connect with diverse, global perspectives.

During the visit, Yanni graciously answered the students’ eager questions in both languages. When asked by one student why he chose hockey over other sports, he shared that his passion began by competing with his two brothers. His humor came through when he answered another question about whether he had ever been to the penalty box: “I have been there a lot,” Yanni admitted with a laugh.

The bilingual connection deepened as Yanni shared personal insights about speaking French with other francophone players in the NHL and raising his two children to be bilingual, with French being the primary language spoken at home. His accessibility and warmth left a lasting impression on both students and staff.

One parent shared their gratitude on social media, writing: “It was such a surreal thing to watch my son meet an NHL player for the first time today at his school. Yanni Gourde was so gracious, patient, and kind with our elementary students and the staff at North Seattle French School. He answered questions —sometimes the same one two or three times! — signed things, and shared his time with some adoring fans. I am so grateful. My son was in awe, and it is a dream to see your kid see what one of his current dreams looks like.”

NSFS believes that bilingual education is more than language acquisition; it’s an entry into a world of diverse cultural experiences. Events like these underscore NSFS’s dedication to fostering a strong, supportive community where students can find inspiration from outstanding bilingual role models.

We are immensely thankful to Yanni Gourde and the Seattle Kraken for making this unforgettable day possible, as well as for their commitment to inspiring the next generation of bilingual leaders.

“North Seattle French School is proud to provide experiences like these, where language and culture come alive in ways that inspire our students every day.”

Aurélie Declerck, Enrollment & Outreach Manager

Contact: communication@northseattlefrenchschool.com

The post North Seattle French School Welcomes Seattle Kraken Player Yanni Gourde for an Inspiring Visit appeared first on North Seattle French School.

Accreditation by the French Ministry of Education

communication — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 21:14:11 +0000

Dear NSFS Community,

We are thrilled to announce that North Seattle French School has officially received the accreditation for cycles 2 and 3 (from 1st to 5th grades) from the French Ministry of Education!

Receiving this accreditation, in addition to the NWAIS (Northwest Association of Independent Schools) Candidacy status that we received earlier this year, is the recognition of the hard work of our teachers and staff, and of the strength of our curriculum. NWAIS and the French ministry of Education have certified that the teaching and environment provided to our students at NSFS comply with their high standards in terms of curriculum, teaching objectives and organization.

We are very proud of the NSFS team, and we would like to specifically thank Celine Bourdales, our Director of Curriculum and Instruction, for her leadership on the project, and Audrey Petitpierre, our Lead French teacher, for her strong support.

NSFS is now part of the extensive AEFE (French Agency for the Advancement of French Abroad) network of more than 560 French schools, with over 390,000 students, enrolled in 138 countries. It opens doors to training programs to our teachers and staff and scholarships from the French government to qualifying families.

Full-day preschool is a prerequisite to be accredited for cycle 1 (la maternelle). Once NSFS receives the license from DCYF (Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families) for our building to have a full-day vs. a half-day preschool, we would then apply for the accreditation for cycle 1.

Thank you to all of you for your continued trust and support. Together, we have made this success possible, and together, we will continue to nurture and grow our vibrant school community.

If you have any questions or would like to share in our celebration, please feel free to reach out to Jennifer Annable at jennifer.annable@northseattlefrenchschool.com.

The post Accreditation by the French Ministry of Education appeared first on North Seattle French School.

The Lifelong Benefits of Graphic Practice in French Maternelle

communication — Mon, 01 May 2023 18:17:50 +0000

Graphic practice is a key component of the French curriculum in preschool and kindergarten. This approach to early childhood education emphasizes the importance of developing children’s motor skills and creativity through various forms of artistic expression. It also develops their visual-spatial awareness, self-regulatory skills and their attention to details.

By engaging in graphic practice, children learn how to control their movements and manipulate objects with greater precision and accuracy. Research has indicated that a child’s fine motor development can predict their educational achievements, specifically in reading, math and attention.

At NSFS, we incorporate play-based graphic practice weekly in our maternelle classrooms. Our students are encouraged to explore lines, curves, shapes through different techniques and materials. They are using their body, movement, sculpting, drawing and more. On the picture below, you will see our students practicing “les ponts“, a graphic they need to write m,n, 3 and h for example.

We are proud to offer this unique and enriching aspect of the French curriculum to our students in our French-immersion preschool and kindergarten. It provides a solid foundation for lifelong learning and success. Learn more about our Maternelle program.

Graphic Practice in French Immersion Preschool

The post The Lifelong Benefits of Graphic Practice in French Maternelle appeared first on North Seattle French School.