École Margaret-Underhill ABOUT US
Our Mission
In partnership with parents and the community, we will provide a safe and nurturing learning environment that fosters quality work and responsible behaviour through the medium of French as a second language.
Our School
École Margaret-Underhill is a kindergarten to Grade 5 early years school which offers a French Immersion program designed for students whose first language is not French and who wish to become functionally bilingual in French and English.
École Margaret-Underhill was established when the old section of École Centrale was demolished and approximately 2/3 of the staff and students moved to the present building in the fall of 1993. ÉMU now houses over 300 kindergarten to Grade 5 students. École Margaret-Underhill offers a French Immersion program designed for students whose first language is not French and who wish to become functionally bilingual in French and English. Kindergarten students come to school full days every other day and are immersed in a 100 per cent French environment. Grades 1 – 5 students receive their instruction completely in French except for the daily English language arts program that is approximately 25 per cent of the day.
Our school takes pride in its warm and caring environment. A strong sense of belonging reigns throughout our school community. Morning announcements include the daily repetition of the school pledge, and the singing of songs, which capture the essence of our pledge and encourage the use of the key words: BE SAFE, BE RESPECTFUL, BE RESPONSIBLE. Our focus is on positive problem solving in collaboration with students and parents. Together we encourage empathy and a respect for rules. ÉMU staff strives to produce bilingual, productive citizens who will live amicably in a multicultural community according to universal values and morals. In our environment all people flourish.
ÉMU houses a popular school age center (SAC). Many of our parents choose to place their children in the before and after school program. The center is also a viable program for kindergarten students. The SAC staff works and collaborates closely with the teachers to ensure the well-being of the children.
