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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2005-01-26, Page 3Wednesday, January 26, 2005 Exeter Times -Advocate 3 French Immersion could be coming By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — Is there enough interest in the area for a French Immersion program? That's what the Avon Maitland District School Board is trying to deter- mine with a series of pub- lic information meetings and a survey that went home for parents to express their interest. After meetings in Wingham and Listowel, Exeter's meeting was held Jan. 20 in the South Huron District High School library. On hand were board members, members of the Ontario branch of Canadian Parents for French (CPF), staff from Bedford Public School in Stratford, which has a French Immersion pro- gram, and local support- ers. About 25 people attend- ed, much higher than in the previous meetings in Wingham and Listowel. Further meetings were to be held in St. Marys, Goderich and Clinton. The meetings are the result of a group of local parents requesting the board to offer French Immersion. The board needs a com- mitment from about 60 students (two classes) to enter the French Immersion program if it is to be implemented by September 2005. Where the program would be offered hasn't been deter- mined. As the Ontario CPF president Monika Ferenczy explained, French Immersion offers an opportunity for stu- dents to learn the curricu- lum in Canada's other official language, French. The program is designed for families who don't speak French in the home. In French Immersion, most classes are taught in French, although there are differ- ent models that can be offered. In early French, students begin French Immersion in Junior Kindergarten, Senior Kindergarten or Grade 1. Middle French sees the program start in Grade 4 or 5, while extended French would see stu- dents start French Immersion in Grade 5, 6 or 7. Depending on which model is used, Ferenczy explained, French can take up as much as 100 per cent of classroom time, or as little as 50 per cent. She said English is always there as a "securi- ty buffer" for students. Ferenczy said French Immersion students show strong problem -solving and cognitive skills and communication and their English skills do not suf- fer. A 1991 study showed that while French Immersion students sometimes lag behind in Grade 3, by Grade 4 or 5 they do as well as or bet- ter in English skills than English students do. Ferenczy added, though, that French Immersion is a "long- term investment." "Patience is a very important component," she said. She added French Immersion students learn to appreciate diversity Ice surface closing rumours quashed By Pat Bolen TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF VARNA — Bluewater council passed a motion Monday night to stop rumours of the closing of the Bayfield ice surface. The motion was prompted by a delegation from the Bayfield Arena Stakeholders, which appeared before council to clarify the future of the ice surface. Brian Johnson said he was one of a committee of eight people which had collected 920 signatures on a petition to save the ice surface in Bayfield. Speaking to council, Johnson said with talk of the closing, he appeared before council, "with a great deal of trepidation and cautious optimism." Johnson asked if there were any basis to the rumours of the closing and if there were, several steps should be taken, including analysis of the economic situations of all the facilities in the munic- ipalities and economic impact studies. Johnson said after the information was available it should be circulated to the public and any deci- sion should be deferred until after the next municipal election. Bluewater Mayor Bill Dowson said the council had never had any dis- cussions on closing the ice surface ,but facilities manager Tom Dickens was asked for a report on use at all the facilities in the municipality that said use was down at the Bayfield arena. Bayfield coun. Josh McClinchey said as far as he was concerned there was no basis to the rumours and as a coun- cillor he would never sup- port it. Council passed a motion saying it was not on the agenda to close the Bayfield ice surface and if any issues were to come up the Bayfield Stakeholders would be involved. and intolerance, have a mutual respect for other cultures and can access more job opportunities and career options. Many go on to learn a third or fourth language. "It's a wonderful oppor- tunity for your child to learn," she said, adding that there is no detriment to putting your child in French Immersion, even if later on the child decides to leave the pro- gram. In the Thames Valley District School Board, Ferenczy said, the French Immersion program has grown so much the board needs more room. Also speaking at the meeting was Bedford Public School principal Ralph Milton. Bedford is a dual -track school, mean- ing it teaches both French Immersion and the regu- lar English-language pro- gram. Of its 303 students, half are in French Immersion. "We are actually a mini - Canada," Milton said, explaining that when a group approached the school five years ago requesting French Immersion, the school had to decide which model was the best. The school decided to start its students out in English in Junior Kindergarten and Senior Kindergarten, before starting French in Grade 1. This method, Milton explained, gives parents time to decide which pro- gram they want their stu- dents to enter. French Immersion stu- dents at Bedford continue to learn language skills and mathematics in English. Milton said parents sBedford vice-principal Helen Orr said the school monitors closely the per- formance of its students and keeps parents informed. She said "very few" have left Bedford's French Immersion pro- gram, but added "it's not for everybody." The cost of offering the program locally hasn't been determined. Staffmg won't cost any extra because those students will need teachers whether they're taking English or French, Milton said. Transportation costs could be higher, he added. South Huron board trustee Randy Wagler said the board won't get extra funding to pay for transportation for the French Immersion program, but will get extra per pupil funding. He said starting up a new program is always a challenge, but once a pro- gram starts, parents see the advantages of it. "I would love to see us be able to provide this opportunity," he added. A few parents com- plained the board hasn't been doing a good job let- ting the public know about the program's pos- sibility, although board superintendent Patricia Stanley said surveys have been sent to every family in every school (except Stratford, which already has the program). Another parent said French Immersion is "tremendous" and builds students' self-esteem. While the overwhelming majority of those at the meeting were in favour of French Immersion, there was some criticism. One man stated that since there isn't much French spoken in Huron County, he wondered who French Immersion students were going to speak to. He also asked if there was an English Immersion in Quebec, to which Ferenczy said yes. Another parent worried about the cost of the pro- gram, saying the school board already can't buy enough textbooks for stu- dents. Surveys are due back by Jan. 31, after which a report will be made dur- ing a February board meeting. 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