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French school in the works for Pemberton

Plans are underway to bring a Kindergarten to Grade 4 French school to Pemberton.

Plans are underway to bring a Kindergarten to Grade 4 French school to Pemberton.

"It would mean another beautiful Francophone program offered to our community," said an excited Madame Simone Theriault, principal of L’École La Passerelle in Whistler.

Theriault explained that the parents, the French School Board and the trustees still have to sit down to go over all the details. That should happen by the end of the month.

She expects that about 10 children would take advantage of a French school in Pemberton. The children must have French heritage or a French speaking parent in order to register.

Last month Pemberton parents rallied to drum up support for an additional French school after La Passerelle moved from Myrtle Philip to Spring Creek.

The move to the new school meant that some children were travelling for up to one hour each way to get to school.

"I believe there will be enough numbers to start in Pemberton," said Theriault.

Next year La Passerelle will be expanding to accommodate a Grade 7 class.

These expansions show there’s a growing French community in the area as well as the fact that people are taking an interest in their French heritage, said Theriault.

"It’s all good new everywhere," she said.

This week the students at La Passerelle are celebrating their French culture with a host of games, contests, music, food and activities, during National Francophone Week.

The children can join in a movie night and sleep over on Thursday.

Today there will be a pancake breakfast with pancakes and maple syrup for the all kids, French and English alike, at Spring Creek.