The Feb. 26th SCDSB Board meeting included the review of recommendations, on a new French Immersion program. The Board did not approve the French Immersion Program committee recommendations. The motions tied to this issue were referred to the April 7, 2010 Program meeting with the request for additional information on other options.
Discussion included support of bilingualism and acknowledgment of the importance of French in the Ontario student curriculum. Trustees determined that it was important to look at a wider body of information; including other possible improvements to French programming. Questions were asked about improving the Core French program e.g. starting the program earlier than grade 4, allocating empty classrooms to Core French, as well as improving Extended French e.g. programming, shuttle buses. It was generally acknowledged that the price tag of the recommendations being reviewed were significant.
After a lengthy debate it was decided to slow down the decision process and request further information from staff.
Trustees APPROVED the following motion:
That the Board refer the Report No. PRO-D-1, French Immersion Feasibility Assessment – Phase 2, dated February 17, 2010 to the April 7, 2010, Program Standing Committee meeting, and request that staff provide an additional report with possible recommendations for enhancing both Core French and Extended French.
Previous Posts on the Topic: French Immersion – NEW Program Should We or Shouldn’t We?
Photo link on this post is off the Bonjour Quebec website. Beautiful shots.
Follow-up News: French Immersion Talk on Hold – Barrie Examiner March 12, 2010
