Heather Latter
The Fort Frances Parents for French Immersion group, along with the Northwest Catholic District School Board, are hoping to gauge community interest in reinstating the French Immersion program here by hosting an information session Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. at St. Michael’s School.
“We’re really hoping that people will come out to the meeting,” said group member Aimee Matheson.
Matheson initiated an online survey through social media back in September, collecting 50 names in just two days of those interested in enrolling their children in French Immersion if it were available here.
The parent group then made a presentation to trustees at the board’s October meeting.
After further discussions, the board agreed to look into the possibility of re-establishing the program that it decided to begin phasing it out in 2006.
“We have made a decision that we are going to begin a process to determine viability for the program,” Director of Education Rick Boisvert had said previously.
Hosting the information night is part of the process.
“[It] is to gauge the actual interest in the community and to determine the next steps in regards to the French Immersion program possibly being reinstated,” explained Superintendent of Education Brendan Hyatt.
“We’re excited but we know that work is not over yet,” Matheson stressed, noting they need as many parents as possible come out to the information night.
“It’s great that [the board] is listening to us but we need to show them strong numbers in order for the program to get going again,” she remarked.
She noted parents with children of all ages are invited to attend the session.
“We are under the impression from the school board if there is enough numbers in any one grade, that it’s possible for them to start French Immersion in that grade,” Matheson said.
“It’s going to be harder the older they get but it’s still possible.”
She indicated even parents of children who are not yet in school, but would like to enroll them in French Immersion when the time comes, should attend the Dec. 11 presentation.
“They [the board] are trying to plan ahead, as well, to see if the interest will be there in years to come,” Matheson said.
Hyatt said his presentation will include information about the French Immersion policy, as well as the minimum number of students required to start up a class.
The board also has developed its own survey that it is asking parents to complete and return to either St. Michael’s principal Darlene Fejos Rousseau or St. Francis principal Kim Anderson.
It asks parents if they would register their child in a French Immersion program if one were available at St. Michael’s in 2015-16, which grade their child currently is enrolled in (if at all), and if they would be interested in receiving more information, such as a visit to a French Immersion classroom in Dryden, parent/student testimonials, or current data/statistics.
“We need to show the board that the numbers are there,” Matheson stressed, adding anyone in the community is welcome to attend the information session.
“Even if they are just interested in learning more about the French Immersion program,” she noted.
But regardless of survey numbers or the turnout at the Dec. 11 meeting, Hyatt said the indicator will be what happens at registration.
“If French Immersion is a go, there is a bottom line that [is needed before] the board will even consider [it],” he explained.
“But right now, we are doing the leg work and getting the word out there that there is a group of parents that has approached the board about French Immersion and having it reinstated.
“And we’re doing the ground work to see the actual interest.”
For more information or to fill out the parent survey, call 274-9232 or visit the board’s website at www.tncdsb.on.ca
