QUILCHENA PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (PAC)
INFORMATION FROM VARIOUS PAC VOLUNTEER COMMITTEES
French Immersion FI K Advocacy due Sep. 2005 Shortage - Initiative
VSB French Second Language Long Term
Planning, begun May 2006
VSB recommendations following consultation
Feb. 10, 2006 with Quilchena about excess FI applications
CPF Vancouver Jan. 11, 2006 presentation
to Committee III re the Jan. 7, 2006 VSB FI task force report
Q PAC made an oral
presentation, in support of providing EFI to meet demand, parent
representation on the proposed long range planning committee and their
concerns about catchment waitlist inequities, 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
Nov. 25, 2005
Q PAC held a meeting during the VSB's public consultation period for
their FI task force's FI expansion plan.
Q
PAC letter Dec. 13, 2005 to VSB re their FI expansion plan.
VSB French language instruction review task force, begun May
2005
CPF
INFORMATION ON VSB EXPANSION PLAN
VSB FI EXPANSION PLAN INFORMATION
November 3,
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.
There is concern that while there is consultation, it may not be
as broadly based or timely as needed.
A resolution
on this task force issue was passed at the November 3, 2005 PAC
meeting.
As parents of early 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://www.geocities.com/qpac1999/CPF-Vancouver-AGM-2005-flyer-Q.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) .
Information
on this task force issue from the delayed CPF
Vancouver AGM Oct. 6, 2005
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