Keep French as a second language education alive in our schools.
It was what the Northwest Catholic District School Board heard from Pierre Ouellette, executive director of Canadian Parents for French–Ontario at its regular meeting here last night.
But while French Immersion programs have faced funding cuts across the province, Ouellette words were not specific to the board and any possible situations here so much as one of one of co-operation.
“CPF recognizes the challenges that the Northwest Catholic District shares with other boards across the province,” he said.
Ouellette added the future will be much brighter if the Canadian Heritage minister’s promise to see 50 percent of Canadian secondary school students graduate being officially bilingual by 2010 holds true.
“CPF is confident this challenging objective will be concretely supported by enhanced funding from the Official Languages in Education Program of the Department of Human Heritage,” he told the board.
“As federal and provincial transfer agreements are negotiated, we, like you, are looking forward to greater accountability of targeted transfers,” he said.
“We need clarity of what money is available for which programs.”
Funding cutbacks by federal and provincial governments, and poor accountability for FSL funds, were identified as particular challenges for Ontario in the report, “The State of FSL Education in Canada.”
This year’s report, scheduled for publication in August, will feature a self-assessment tool for boards and schools.
Before the board here makes any decision that could alter the face of the French second language education in this region, said Ouellette, CFP urges it to:
•use the self-assessment tool;
•undertake longitudinal studies to know more about demographics, patterns of enrolment, and outcomes; and
•consult broadly and deeply with parents and students who will be affected by these decisions.
“CPF is willing to work with the Northwest Catholic District School Board in seeking innovative solutions for the particular challenges to FSL programs in Northwestern Ontario,” concluded Ouellette.
One idea brought up to reach more students with French Immersion learning included using long-distance education. While some local CPF members on hand suggested the board could try to promote enrolment in French Immersion programs just around the time kindergarten students are signed up.
“We’re going to do as much as we can to continue the excellent programming we have,” noted board chair Gerry Rousseau.
Education Director Carol-Lynne Oldale noted CPF has sponsored teachers to go to workshops and acquire resource materials, as well as sponsored the district French speech contest for several years.
She hopes their relationship with the board would continue to remain strong.
Also at last night’s meeting, the board:
•accepted the May personnel report, which noted the resignations of St. Francis teachers Janet Bishop and Carol Derkson, and the appointment of teacher Lise Turbide Bibeau to St. Joseph’s School in Dryden, and teachers Susan Taylor and Sylvain Mathieu to St. Francis School here;
•received the April cash disbursement report, which noted an expenditure of $948,529.64;
•received minutes of the Special Education Advisory Committee’s April 5 meeting; and
•approved of the following policies: B-04 (funerals and memorials), F-04 (French Immersion), F-07 (school admissions), and G-08 (recognition of long-term service by employees and trustees).
Policy G-12 (principal designate) was approved for stakeholder input by the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association, as per the policy requires.
The revised policies were consolidated from those of predecessor boards.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
