Kits PAC Special Interest Group - VSB French Language instruction reviews task force begun May 2005


VSB French Second Language Long Term Planning, begun May 2006

CPF Vancouver Jan. 11, 2006 presentation  to Committee III re the Jan. 7, 2006 VSB FI task force report

Kits PAC made an oral presentation, in support of providing EFI to meet demand and parent representation on the proposed long range planning committee, to Committee III re the Jan. 7, 2006 VSB FI task force report

VSB FI task force report Jan. 7, 2006

or

CPF's copy at:
http://www.geocities.com/cpfvancouver/VSB-FI-Task-Force-Report-Jan-7-2006.pdf


VSB French language instruction review task force, begun May 2005

CPF INFORMATION ON VSB EXPANSION PLAN

VSB FI EXPANSION PLAN INFORMATION

October 8, 2005

French immersion parents:

As you are aware, it was strong parental advocacy that helped pave the way for our children to be in French immersion. You may be surprised to learn that strong support needs to continue if the next generation of Vancouver children is to have the same great opportunity. 

This September 2005 saw a large shortfall in early French immersion Kindergarten spaces. Remember that Increasing the K intake for Early FI helps the FI program right through Grade 12.  Larger numbers of students leads to benefits such as more course offerings at the secondary level.

A VSB French language instruction review task force began in May 2005 with representation from DPAC and CPF Vancouver. As Kits parents, we are concerned that while there is consultation, it may not be as broadly based or timely as needed.
We have been asked to ensure someone represent Kits PAC on the task force issue at the CPF Vancouver  meeting  on Thursday 6 October (see below) and that we post our  notes from that meeting on our website.

 A  resolution on this task force issue was passed at the November 9, 2005 PAC meeting.

Mary Chipman, chipman@highlatitude.com ,  has volunteered to coordinate the feedback from DPAC and CPF Vancouver on this issue.

As parents of secondary French immersion students, we can offer our support now, for the legacy of stronger French Immersion in the future. Please lend your voice to this important issue.
 
Information about the VSB task force is online at:
http://members.shaw.ca/QPAC/PAC-VSB-French-Language-Task-Force-May-2005.html

Re the September 2005 French Immersion K space shortfall issue (one of many issues considered by the VSB task force), just a reminder that while it is good for groups like DPAC and CPF Vancouver to listen and try to understand the reasons school administration have for not providing adequate early FI K spaces – had the parents who began French immersion and CPF so many years ago, not questioned those reasons, French immersion would not have grown as well as it has.

CPF Vancouver held its first meeting of the new school year and AGM (delayed from May) on October 6, 2005 7pm at the VSB offices. The VSB task force was on the agenda. Details are at:
http://members.shaw.ca/QPAC/CPF-Vancouver-AGM-2005-flyer-K.pdf

The task force reviews both early and late French immersion. It is important to remember the programs are different. For example:
"While early French immersion generally works for the average child, late French immersion is often thought of as more challenging for students than continuing in the English program, and works well for students who are themselves motivated to be in the program."
From section 7 'Should I register my child in Early immersion or Late immersion?' in the CPF Pamphlet 'French Immersion Q & A: answers commonly asked questions about the French Immersion program.' by Dr. André Obadia, a professor at Simon Fraser University (Faculty of Education) .

 Kits PAC Special Interest Groups