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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2011-12-22, Page 13THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2011. PAGE 13. French immersion won’t expand to new schools An auditory experience No, they aren’t plugging their ears, the students of Brussels Public School were singing and smiling all night long on Dec. 14 as part of their Christmas concert. Shown are Lucas Jacklin, Owen Newell, Lola Johnston and Kierstyn Proctor taking centre stage. (Denny Scott photo) Discussions brewing in Stratford over French Immersion (FI) programming will stay there, Avon Maitland District School Board (AMDSB) trustees heard Dec. 13. AMDSB staff presented trustees with a general report on the board’s FI program at the December board meeting. Currently, the program is offered from Grades One to Six at Bedford Public School and Grades Seven to 12 at Stratford Central public and secondary schools. Overcrowding at Bedford Public School, which houses FI students and English track students, has led to an accommodation review and heated discussion over whether the FI program should be added to another Stratford school. Northeast Huron trustee ColleenSchenk asked if the AMDSB shouldre-consider expanding the program across the board’s schools, given the two new schools scheduled for the North Huron and North Perth areas. But director of education Ted Doherty said AMDSB staff would likely recommend against such a move, explaining that the result would probably be a “cannibalization” of rural schools already struggling with dwindling enrollment. Doherty said the board’s original belief when it launched the FI program in 2000 was that it would attract students from private schools and other school boards in the area, leading to increased revenue for the AMDSB to help fund the FI program. Instead, the program has overwhelmingly attracted studentsfrom other AMDSB schools,Doherty said. “We worry, as staff, the impact of starting a program that would perhaps deplete students from other of our smaller, rural schools,” he said. Superintendent of business and treasurer Janet Baird-Jackson agreed. “The notion of cannibalizing existing students plays out in French Immersion,” she said, explaining that the incremental funding increases for students taking French Immersion don’t cover the costs of setting up, staffing and maintaining an FI program. Resources required for the program include French language texts, reference materials and library resources, which are more expensive, the board heard. The three major costs of the program are program materials, staffing andtransportation. Baird-Jacksonechoed Doherty’s statement that the hope of gaining students from other boards, along their additional provincial funding, didn’t pan out. “We’re back to seeing that we’re just going to shuffle our own and add cost that we can’t cover,” she said. The last investigation intoexpanding the program came in2005, when a review gauged the interest of parents across the AMDSB area. Public meetingswere held in Listowel, Wingham, Exeter, Clinton and Goderich. The number of December 2005 registrations was Thank you to everyone who helped make our 75th Year in business memorable. We appreciate the support of our suppliers, customers, friends and neighbours over the years and look forward to serving you in the future. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from McGavin’s staff and management. McGavin FARM EQUIPMENT & FARM SUPPLY LTD. Walton, Ont. 519-887-6365 • 1-877-887-6365 • Fax 519-887-6381 www.mcgavinequip.com HOLIDAY HOURS: Dec. 24th ~ 8 am - 12 noon; Dec. 26th ~ Closed; Dec. 31st ~ 8 am - 12 noon; Jan. 2 ~ Closed INSTALLATION • SALES • SERVICE Central Boiler Dealer Outdoor wood furnaces and outdoor grain boilers Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year BRUSSELS www.centralboiler.com 519-887-6405 Royal Canadian Legion Brussels Branch 218 Wishes to extend Christmas Tidings and New Year Wishes to all its members and faithful supporters for all their work and support this past year. Best Wishes for a Happy 2012. By Rita MarshallSpecial to The Citizen Continued on page 30 May your home be blessed by good fortune this Christmas, & may you & your loved ones enjoy all the comforts of a very merry & joyous season.We really appreciate your business & look forward to serving you again, soon. David, Charlotte, Dave, Beth, & Christine WE’LL BE OPEN LATE DEC 20 - 22 ‘TIL 8 PM DEC 23 ‘TIL 4 PM Closed Dec 24, 25 & 26 Box Furniture & Floor Coverings Main St. Seaforth 527-0680 David, Charlotte, Dave & Lindsey Holiday Hours: Dec. 19-23 9 am - 7 pm; Dec. 24 9 am - 1 pm; Dec. 25-27 Closed; Dec. 28-30 9 am - 5:30; Dec. 31 9 am - 1 pm; Jan. 1-2 Closed.