Group to defend French Immersion

With enrolment dwindling in French Immersion programs at some district schools, the local Canadian Parents for French will stress the importance of the program at tonight’s regular monthly meeting of the Northwest Catholic District School Board.
“We wish to commend the board for continuing to support the Core French and French Immersion programs,” local CPF president Jean Hebert said in the group’s written request to make the presentation.
“We would also like to reiterate the importance of these programs for our children, our schools, and our community,” she added.
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the local board office (next to St. Francis School). The five-10 minute presentation, which is the first item on the agenda after opening business, will be made by CPF member Pierre Ouellette.
Canadian Parents for French members’ concerns were raised over the possible cancellation of the program at St. Michael’s School here after the board sent home a letter to parents encouraging them to support the program by promoting enrolment in it.
Also at tonight’s meeting, the board will look at its preliminary 2001-02 budget. The province released grant regulations on May 11 but the estimate forms on which the board calculates grants based on actual data only became available May 14.
A preliminary examination of the funding model has shown that based on projected enrolment and other data, the board’s total allocations for the next school year will increase by $715,608.
The board has been calculating grants since May 14, and details such as a breakdown of factors behind the increase and increased flexibility in allocations will be available at the meeting.
Other business will include:
•cash disbursements for April;
•the May personnel report, including the appointments of three teachers and the resignation of two more; and
•consideration of five policies for approval or consultation, including B-04 (funerals and memorials), F-04 (French Immersion), F-07 (school admissions), G-08 (recognition of long-term service by employees and trustees), and G-12 (principal designate).