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.