French elementary classrooms could open here this fall

Parents who would like to see their children educated in French as a first language will want to attend le Conseil scolaire de catholique des Aurores boreales presentation here on March 29.
A co-operative with the Northwest Catholic District School Board, the French-language board may be accepting up to 20 students into classrooms at either St. Francis or St. Michael’s school here.
“The French-language school board has been approached by parents from the area who want to see their children learn in their mother tongue,” said Education Director Joanne Debnam.
Parents who speak French as a first language, or those who were educated in a French-speaking school, are the criteria in determining which children qualify to be taught.
“We have rights to two classrooms in an English-language Catholic school,” Debnam explained. “The exact number depends on the potential enrolment.
“We could really have a maximum of 20 students per classroom but 10 is the ‘magic number’ for us,” she noted.
Debnam said the motivation for making French-speaking instruction available here was a matter of equity.
“It gives children the to preserve, conserve, be proud of, and learn in French,” she stressed. “We’re very excited.”
Debnam also admitted a lot of the details, such as exactly what school classes will be, how many instructors will be needed, and so on, will be determined once the exact number of students enrolled is determined.
Debnam and Alain Godin, local trustee for the board, also will be presenting an action plan that night, and answering any questions parents have.
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 234 Elizabeth St. W.
Parents can call 1-800-367-0874 for more information.