Mamou Elementary French Immersion program receives prestigious honor

By: HEATHER BOGARD
Associate Editor

The Mamou Elementary French Immersion program was the recipient of the prestigious LabelFrancÉducation. This distinction highlights the exceptional commitment of the entire teaching team and staff to francophone educational excellence. This label not only acknowledges the quality of the education provided at your school but also recognizes the special attention staff gives to promoting the French language in Louisiana, thus fostering cultural openness and the international influence of the bilingual educational system.
On Wednesday, December 6, Rodolphe Sambou (Consul General of the French Republic in New Orleans) and Jacques Baran (Attaché de coopération et d’action culturelle / Cultural Attaché Director of Villa Albertine in New Orleans / Consulate General of France in New Orleans) visited the school to present the plaque and commend the school on its work in French Immersion.
To welcome the honored guests, the French Immsersion students greeted them “en francais” and student Attalee Laneaux read a special note in both French and English to welcome the dignitaries.
Principal Troy Fontenot presented recent test score findings noting duel enrollment students are outscoring regular students on standardized testing. He said, “It’s a wonderful thing and we are preserving the culture.”
Sambou then addressed the group, saying, “Our mission here as a consulate is very important. There is a strong friendship between France and Louisiana. French Immersion schools participate in the development of Francophonian French language here in Louisiana and Mamou. I commend the extraordinary work you have been doing.” He continued, “It requires a lot of effort and engagement from all of the community to stick to this. We are delighted to give the school recognition and acknowledgment for its commitment to get high quality education, which will help provide more opportunities and help the school.”
Superintendent Darwan Lazard thanked them for coming, noting, “Your visit is very important to us. When I became superintendent seven years ago, the first program I embraced was French Immersion. I commend Mr. Troy (Fontenot) and his staff and am grateful for the great work they have done here. The results are a testament to the work they are doing here.”
Lazard also thanked the Mamou community and Evangeline Parish community at large for their strong support of the program. He added, “When you come and make a presentation such as this, it is a testament to your support for this program and the work we are doing in this community. We are committed to keeping French alive in Evangeline Parish, in Mamou and in Southwest Louisiana.”