Expansion of French Immersion Programming for 2009-2010

We are adding Middle French Immersion (MFI) and Early French Immersion (EFI) programming to a number of schools across the District starting in September 2009.

Middle French Immersion
Beginning September 2009, MFI programs will now be offered to grade 4 students at the following schools:

• Adrienne Clarkson Elementary School (feeding to Longfields-Davidson Heights grade 7-12 school)
• Bells Corners Public School (feeding to D.A. Moodie Intermediate School);
• Bridlewood Community Elementary School
• Centennial Public School (feeding to Glashan Public School)
• Blossom Park Public School
• Hilson Avenue Public School (feeding to Fisher Park Public School)
• Richmond Public School (feeding to Goulbourn Middle School)
• Convent Glen Elementary School (feeding into Henry Larsen Elementary School)

Programming for September 2009 will be available to students in grade 4 only. The programs will grow by one grade per year (grade 5 will be added in September 2010, grade 6 will be added in September 2011, and etc.) A Middle French Immersion program will be added to a school in the Beacon Hill community in 2010. The school will be determined in consultation with the local school communities. The program will begin for students in grade 4 and will be expanded to grade 5 in the following year. The students will feed into Henry Munro Elementary School for grades 6, 7 and 8.

Early French Immersion
Effective September 2009, Early French Immersion will be offered at the following schools:

• Osgoode Public School : EFI will be available to kindergarten students in September 2009 and will be expanded by one grade per year until grade 6 when the students will feed into Castor Valley Elementary School for grades 7 and 8.
• Broadview Public School : EFI will be available to students in Kindergarten to grade 3 in September 2009 and will be expanded by one grade per year until grade 8.
• Viscount Alexander Public School : EFI will be available to kindergarten students in September 2009 and will be expanded by one grade per year until a JK-6 grade structure is implemented.

We will continue to examine opportunities to expand French Immersion Programming on a site-by-site basis as the demand presents.

Important Information You Need to Know

Transportation
Students who enroll in a newly designated MFI or EFI program will be provided with transportation in accordance with the transportation policy. In addition, students attending one of the newly designated MFI or EFI programs will be provided with transportation to and from their existing daycare location, if the daycare is located within the their sending school’s attendance boundary, until such time as a new childcare arrangement is made for that child within their newly designated MFI or EFI school attendance boundary or until June 2011, whichever is sooner.

For example, if your child is moving from Woodroffe Public School to the new EFI program at Broadview Public School and your childcare is in the Woodroffe Public School Boundary, transportation will continue to be provided for your child until new childcare arrangements can be found within the Broadview attendance boundary or until June 2011.

Grandfathering
There are no grandfathering provisions for students or siblings of students who are affected by the changes in program locations for Early or Middle French Immersion.

Enrolment
If you are interested in enrolling your child in one of the newly designated EFI or MFI programs, please contact the school where the program is being offered. Your early identification of interest in the program is important to assist us in proper planning for September.

MAKING THE CHOICE
The learning needs of every child are unique. If you are considering an immersion program for your child, we encourage you to learn more about the program by reviewing our French As a Second Language Programs fact sheet.
For more detailed information and analysis, you may want to read our Review of French as a Second Language Programs, Elementary Phase Report.

Our French as a Second Language programs differ in intensity but share a common purpose to develop a student’s communication skills in French language. All programs are student-centred and focus on the concurrent development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Knowledge and skills are taught in an authentic and meaningful context that emphasizes proficiency in all subject areas. The programs promote an appreciation of French culture in Canada and in other regions of the world.

Further, transportation privileges for students whose school has not changed but whose childcare is now located out-of-boundary will also be extended until such time as new childcare arrangements are made or until June 2011, whichever is sooner.

For example, if your child is remaining in the Woodroffe Public School attendance boundary but your childcare is within the newly designated MFI or EFI attendance boundary, transportation will be provided to and from the childcare as long as the student had qualified previously. This special transportation provision will be in effect until 2011 or until childcare can be found for the student within Woodroffe PS attendance boundary - whichever comes first.