Every second year since the mid-1980s, February and March have been a busy and exciting time for Pacific Rim School District’s French Immersion program. Alberni Elementary and ADSS students celebrate the Québec Winter Festival known as ‘Carnaval’.
It’s a way to distract from the cold and wet winter weather and add in a little fun as we await spring, says spokesperson Pam Chandler.
Traditional activities include an opening ceremony where Carnaval songs are sung as students await an appearance by the famous mascot himself, Bonhomme Carnaval.
Cultural activities have been vast and varied over the years, including a traditional snack (Le Goûter) prepared for 350-plus students and served at long tables as would happen at a real sugar shack in Québec.
This year, students at Alberni Elementary enjoyed homemade pancakes with maple syrup, maple beans, baguettes with butter, maple candies and cookies from Québec as well as fresh croissants with jam. High school students at ADSS enjoyed a special lunch hour snack of croissants, maple soda and Québec treats.
A visit from French-Canadian singer LeFLOFRANCO (winner of ‘La Manie Musicale 2023’), Sand Northrup the Circus woman, Traditional Métis Dance Company V’ni Dansi and René The Maple Man have been important complements to this year’s events.
The Maple Man has visited Pacific Rim School District Carnaval celebrations for 18 years and plays a variety of instruments such as the wooden spoons, violin and accordion, while teaching the students how maple syrup is made the French-Canadian way—and everyone gets a taste of ‘La Tire’ (maple syrup drizzled on snow, which makes a taffy).
Carnaval celebrations in Pacific Rim School District give students a chance to enjoy traditional foods and music as well as learn to dance the jig, play wooden spoons, practice ice carving, attend a masquerade ball and make their own Carnaval Sash for Lumberjack Dress up Day.
The French Immersion program has been alive and well in Port Alberni since 1981 and French Immersion staff and students have been planning this fun-filled, French-Canadian Carnaval biannually, since 1983.
French Immersion gives students the opportunity to follow the B.C. curriculum with the added bonus of a second language which can benefit them throughout their lives.
If you are interested or would like more information on Pacific Rim School District’s French Immersion program you can visit https://www.sd70.bc.ca/page/204/french-immersion.