French Immersion Consultation

Themes:

What does French Immersion look like? Grade progression and SupportBenefits of Second Language AcquisitionKeeping a Solid Catholic School Culture in a Dual Track SchoolEnrolment Projections and Cost EffectivenessFacility Supports for ProgrammingStaffing

Tonight’s Process

Welcome and Introductions

Prayer

Presentation

Questions

Next Steps

Survey

Timeline

Prayer

TCDSB Board Members and Senior Staff

Michael Caccamo

Superintendent, Area 3 Schools

John Wujek

Superintendent, Area 5 Schools

Patrizia BottoniTrustee, Ward 4

TCDSB Central Staff

Maura WilsonFSL, Special Assignment Teacher

French Department

Morris IafrateSenior Coordinator

Renewal, TCDSB

Adam BruttoSupervisor/Demographer

Planning Services

Maia PuccettiSuperintendent of Facilities Services

Emma MoynihanOfficer

Communications Dept

TCDSB Principals

Lillian KurnikPrincipal

St. Jane Frances Catholic Elementary School

Jacki PuriVice Principal

St. Jane Frances Catholic Elementary School

Stephen DempseyPrincipal

James Culnan Catholic Elementary School

• RECOGNITION: line up at the microphone to be recognized as a speaker

• LIMIT: your turn at the microphone to one question and direct follow-up

• COURTESY: allow first-time speakers to speak before repeat speakers

• LISTEN: avoid talking while others are speaking

• RESPECT: for others comments and opinions, all opinions matter

• OBJECTIVITY: avoid personal attacks or accusations

Meeting Norms

BRIEF REVIEW OF LTPP

LTPP is a flexible programming plan for TCDSB schools that allow opportunities for schools to offer areas of focus for their programming in both elementary and secondary schoolsLTPP also has a system planning feature and FI planning and program fits into thisCommunities have told us in the past that they are looking for additional opportunities for FI programming in our Toronto Catholic SystemOver the next few years, TCDSB is consulting with various communities for input as they make final decision on additional FI locations in the Board to respond to needs

What does French Immersion look like in TCDSB?

• FI is an optional program designed to teach French to non-francophone children

• Difference between Core French and French Immersion• The expectations for subjects taught in French are those

outlined in the English language curriculum policy documents

TCDSB Vision and Goals for French

TCDSB French Immersion program supports the vision and goals of the Ministry of Education as outlined in the curriculum document 2013

“Students will communicate and interact with growing confidence in French, one of Canada’s official languages, while developing the knowledge, skills and perspectives they need to participate fully as citizens in Canada and in the world” Ontario Curriculum;FSL

Benefits of Bilingualism

“Knowledge of an additional language strengthens first-language skills. The ability to speak two or more languages generally enhances cognitive development, as well as reasoning and creative-thinking skills. It also enhances the student’s confidence as a learner, facilitates the learning of additional languages, and contributes to academic achievement. As their strengths develop, French language learners become more flexible and adaptable in new and unforeseen situations. For example, second-language learners tend to be more divergent thinkers, with improved memory and attention span.”

Ontario Ministry of Education

Benefits of French Immersion

• Knowledge of an additional language strengthens first language skills (Dr. Jim Cummins, OISE, 1998)

• Bilingualism increases problem solving skills (Dr Fraser Lauchlan, Strathclyde University, 2012)

• Learning languages triggers brain growth (2012 Sweden)

• Increased cognitive benefits of bilingualism - (Gold, 2013)

French Immersion today in TCDSB

Started in 1982, TCDSB currently has:

Elementary Schools Secondary Schools

Extended French 18 11

French Immersion 14 3

Current FSL programs at TCDSB

EQAO and French Immersion

Grade 3Students sit Math in French and do not sit Literacy

Grade 6 Students write both Math and Literacy in English

Research into FI and EQAO

Grade 3• Overall, at Grade 3, immersion students did somewhat better

than English program students on literacy tests, but differences

were small. • French immersion students who had little exposure to English

language arts instruction lagged somewhat behind their

English program counterparts. (Turnbull, Hart, Lapkin 2000)

Research into FI and EQAO

Grade 3• Results for mathematics were virtually identical for immersion

and non-immersion students at Grade 3.

Grade 6

• French immersion students achieved better overall results on

the EQAO reading, writing and mathematics tests.(Turnbull, Hart, Lapkin 2000)

How can I help my child in French Immersion?

• Being a positive role model and show that you value French• Learn along with your child• Talk about French in Canada and the world• Read daily to your child in English or in the language spoken

at home - literacy skills are transferred from one language to another

• Seek out local opportunities to experience French• Stay connected to the teacher - volunteer in the class• Voila Learning is an online homework support

Considering School Culture with French Immersion Programming

- Deliberate staff and student activities that are school-wide and support cross-track integration and exchange

• Ensuring support services that extend into all tracks of the program

• School and classroom practices that reflect and respond to the diversity of all RE Ontario’s Equity Action Plan

St Jane Frances Student Distribution

Based on student distributionpatterns, there are currentlyno French Immersionstudents living within thefixed attendance boundaryof St. Jane Frances.

Enrolment Projections and Accommodation Requirements

TCDSB Planning ServicesSeptember 2017

● Enrolment projections have been created assuming the phased implementation of the French Immersion (FI) program starting in 2018.

● There are currently 5 FDK classes at St. Jane Frances.

● For 2018-19 school year, admissions will accept up to 4 FDK classes for English and 1 FDK class for French Immersion. There will be no additional FDK classes constructed.

● This is in line with the size of the school in that it will generate a school population of approximately 730 students over a 10 year period. The school has a Ministry rated capacity of 715 pupil places.

St Jane Frances Enrolment Projections

TCDSB Planning ServicesSeptember 2017

Without French Immersion, the utilization rate is projected to remain stable around 95%long term. With the implementation of French Immersion in 2018, the utilization rate ofSt. Jane Frances is projected to increase to around 100% long term.

Facility Supports for Programming

- identification of classroom space

• Retrofit adaptation for FDK

• Other facility Upgrades

Staffing for French Immersion Programming

- Hiring Practices are followed according to Regulation 274

- Board is actively engaged in recruitment through:• Faculties of Education• Connections to Canadian Francophone regions• New Faculty of Ed students from French countries

General Session Q&A

Next Steps in LTAP

• Notes of tonight’s session have been taken• Tonight’s survey will be collected and tabulated• School-based surveys will be sent home this week• Power Point from tonight will be posted on Board website• School Board to consider all proposed new FI schools by the

new year 2018 (as part of LTPP)

Resources for Parents

In Defense of French Immersion

https://www.todaysparent.com/kids/in-defense-of-french-immersion/

French immersion enrolment skyrockets as a new linguistic category emerges

https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/education/french-immersion-enrolment-skyrockets-as-a-new-linguistic-category-

emerges/article7935100/

Supporting Your Child’s Success in French Immersion and Extended French Elementary Schools

(A Parent Guide)

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/literacynumeracy/parentGuideFrench.pdf

Resources for Parents

French Immersion Handbook for Parents

http://www.scdsb.edu.on.ca/schools/fsl/ParentHandbookFI.pdf

FSL Homework Toolbox (An FSL Resource for parents and students in Ontario)

http://www.fslhomeworktoolbox.ca/

A Treasure Chest for Families News to French Immersion

http://www.tdsb.on.ca/Portals/0/Community/Community%20Advisory%20committees/FSLAC/main/Treasure%20Chest%20Booklet%20FINAL_A

udio.pdf

Resources for Parents

Peer Tutoring Literacy Program

CPF Peer Tutoring Literacy Program (PTLP) for French Immersion Schools: A Parent-Teacher Collaborative Approach

https://cpf.ca/en/membership/cpf-member-resources/peer-tutoring-literacy-program/

IDELLO Help your children assimilate their lessons or learn new things with educational content and features made to bridge the gap between

school and home. Create a free parent account.

https://www.idello.org/en?utm_source=CPF&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=parents#parentsection

Resources for Parents

Useful Websites Supporting the French Immersion Program for Parents and Guardians

http://www.adsb.on.ca/sites/Schools/ROS/Resources/Parents/French%20OnLine%20Websites%20_French%20OnLine%20Magazines/Useful%20

Websites%20Supporting%20the%20French%20Immersion%20Program%20for%20Parents%20and%20Guardians.pdf

Virtual Reference Library / La biblio de référence virtuelle

This is the best of the library and the internet! For encyclopedias, world facts, homework help, internet reference sites, dictionaries, quotations and

much more, visit www.bibliovirtuelle.ca.