1. Grade 1 Early French Immersion Pilot Program Parent information session

2. Lord, as we prepare to begin this meeting,
We will recall your promise to be present when two
or more are gathered in your name.
We know that without you here among us,
and with each one of us, we will labour in vain.
Grant us the willingness to be open to each other,
To respect each other, to listen to each other,
and to be supportive of each other
for the sake of the kingdom.
Lord, unite us in your spirit.

3. RESPONSE: Walk closely with us, God.
As we strive to live our lives well. RESPONSE
As we continue to surrender ourselves to you. RESPONSE
As we journey into unknown territory. RESPONSE   
As we learn to accept our weaknesses and our strengths. RESPONSE
As we open our hearts to the messengers you send to us. RESPONSE
As we keep searching for the truth. RESPONSE
TOGETHER: Lord, unite us in your spirit. Amen 

4. Learning goals We are learning to:
identify the key characteristics of Halton Catholic’s Early French Immersion (EFI) program
use information to determine whether this program is suitable for your child/family
articulate the steps of our registration process

5. Success criteria We will know we have been successful if we can:
articulate the key characteristics of Halton Catholic’s EFI program
make decisions about which we feel confident
understand the registration process

6. Why now? 1) Response to parent survey – Spring 2012
2) Response to one of Halton Catholic District School Board system priorities …to expand the breadth of learning opportunities offered.
3) Pilot Early French Immersion program is an additional French program, differing from the existing Extended French. .program
4) Part of our response to the Ministry’s call to action to strengthen FSL in Ontario, as expressed in the Framework for French as a second language.

7. The goal of the Early French Immersion program
To develop functionally bilingual students through the provision of an equitable amount of curriculum with French as the second language of instruction.

8. EARLY FRENCH IMMERSION -- How does it compare to Extended French?
Begins in Grade 1
50% French instruction
50% English instruction
For students whose parents are not French first language speaking
Curriculum aligned to English
Available at designated schools

9. EARLY FRENCH IMMERSION -- How does it compare to Extended French?
By the end of Grade 8, the Early French Immersion Student:
Has attained 3800 hours of French
Can read French newspaper and books with occasional help of a dictionary
Can participate in conversation
Understands radio and television news in French
Can function well in a French-speaking community after a few weeks residence

10. EARLY FRENCH IMMERSION Teaching staffage Instruction
It should be noted that students have at least 3 teachers when they participate in the EFI program:
Their French language teacher
Their English language teacher
The teacher that provides planning time (usually teacher of Arts, Phys. Ed and Health)
The Itinerant arts teacher may be part of their day…

11. Subjects taught in French …
EARLY FRENCH IMMERSION Breakdown of Language Instruction guage Instruction
Subjects taught in French …
French Language Arts
Science & Technology
Social Studies
The Arts, Health and Physical Education
Subjects taught in English …
Religion and Family Life
English Language Arts
Mathematics

12. Information you should know
1) Transportation will be provided ONLY for students in the Early French Immersion Program to the designated school as long as they remain in this program until the end of Gr. 8 (Policy 11-24).
enrolment in EFI does NOT guarantee that siblings can attend the same school. It is possible to have one sibling attending one school while another sibling attends a different school
even if a sibling is granted cross-boundary permission, s/he must apply for a courtesy seat on the bus. It should be noted that each year, the siblings must re-apply: there is no guarantee from year to year
there is no transportation for after-school extra- curricular events/activities

13. Information you should know
2) A minimum of 20 students are required for a Grade 1 class students are required to open a second class.
a maximum of 2 classes will run per site.
if a waiting list is begun, and space should become available, the school will pull from the waiting list until the end of September (September 30th). After this point, the class is closed.

14. Information you should know
3) In the event that a student should come out of the program, he/she must return to their home school
parents and teachers work together to discuss appropriate strategies in order to avoid demitting children from the program unnecessarily
ultimately, parents must make their decision based on what they feel is in their child’s best interest

15. Information you should know
4) Program is regional, therefore, sites may change. It is important to pick the program based on the merits of the program, and not on the site.
Significant notice is provided regarding boundary reviews and site changes.
Our past practice has been to gradually phase out programs.

16. EARLY FRENCH IMMERSION Considerations…
Parents should meet with their child’s present teacher and/or principal to determine suitability.
There are risk factors when:
children are below the expected standard in their first language
students do not want to be in the program
a child’s emotional well-being is suffering
The final decision to enter the program rests with the parents.

17. EARLY FRENCH IMMERSION Considerations… help? Instruction
Experience has shown us that children who thrive in the program usually display some or all of the following:
enjoy and play with language (rhyming and word games)
cooperate with others and work/ play well in groups
persevere and make an effort when responding to challenges

18. EARLY FRENCH IMMERSION How can parents help? are help? Instruction
The following are some things you may wish to consider to help your child to succeed in this program:
Ensure that he/she receives proper diet and rest.
Allow your child enjoy his or her first language at home.
You may wish to join the Canadian Parents for French (cpfont.on.ca)
Consider your child’s strengths, interests, needs and personality in your decision-making

19. EARLY FRENCH IMMERSION Registration Process
Registration will take place in TWO parts:
Part 1
First-come first-served ON-LINE registration
Part 2
In person visit to school to complete registration process
*Both parts are necessary for successful registration

20. EARLY FRENCH IMMERSION Registration Process
Part 1
First-come first-served ON-LINE registration
Tuesday, January 13, (beginning at 12:00 p.m.)

27. EARLY FRENCH IMMERSION Registration Process
Part 2
In order to complete the registration process, an
in-person visit to school is required by
January 23rd, 2014.
If your child is being registered with the Halton Catholic District School Board for the first time, the following documentation is required to complete the registration process in person:
Catholic Baptismal certificate of child or parent
Birth certificate
Immunization record

28. Success criteria We will know we have been successful if we can:
articulate the key characteristics of Halton Catholic’s EFI program
make decisions about which we feel confident
understand the registration process

29. Our public site: French consultant: Anna Marie Toltl 632-6300 ext 207
EARLY FRENCH IMMERSION Contact information
Our public site:
Schools/ School listing/ select school
French consultant:
Anna Marie Toltl
ext 207

30. Questions?