French as a Second Language Advisory Committee News
1. FSL Policy Development
Policies and procedures on aspects of FSL programs have developed at the Board over the years but there is no overall policy in place against which procedures can be developed and evaluated. The Gossling report of 2005 noted this and the Board responded by passing a motion for the development of an Extended and Immersion French policy "establishing a commitment to French-as-a-Second Language as a community-based program that supports French-language proficiency and bilingualism."
System Superintendent Nadine Segal formed a policy review committee of staff to work on an initial draft. In May, the committee expanded to include trustees and FSLAC members. It will meet again in September and in the coming months, the policy will go to the FSLAC, to the Program and School Services Committee of the Board and then to the full Board.
The FSLAC is proposing that the commitment be as stated in the Board motion but also include a commitment to research and innovation, to collaboration with stakeholders, to having a range of programs open to all applicants and to providing learning materials, special ed and literacy support and professional development equitable to the regular program.
2. TDSB Planning for the Future
The TDSB has a real estate portfolio that is larger than its current and projected needs. The Toronto Lands Corporation (TLC), an arm's length corporation, wholly owned by the TDSB, is now administering the portfolio. The TLC's board includes real estate experts and trustees. Any real estate that is sold will generate funds for capital reinvestment.
The GAPP (General Asset and Program Planning) committee is setting up a multi-year process for examining and making recommendations on how to address current and future programming and capital needs. The current array of programs and schools will be reviewed and recommendations made on freeing up resources to improve programs and the condition of schools. Every ward and every school will have the opportunity to provide input as the GAPP process develops recommendations about specific areas and schools. The Board has approved some policy directions concerning optimum school size, grade structure, program distribution, daycare and continuing (adult) education.
Peter Gooch, the Director of Strategy, Policy and Accountability and chair of the GAPP Committee is talking with the FSLAC about how FSL programs will be part of the questions that will guide system-wide planning. Depending on direction from the GAPP Trustee Working Group, he will be bringing recommendations to the Board in the fall. The FSLAC has begun the discussion by identifying some key facilities issues for FSL: the distribution of FSL programs across the city, the JK to SK immersion school transition, the need for flexibility to meet demand, the lack of daycare spots and the dual and single track school models for elementary and secondary.
3. SK Immersion Expansion
New SK Immersion programs will open in September 2008 at Fern PS and Duke of Connaught PS as a result of the November 2007 SK Immersion entry policy. These will provide enough spots for all applicants in these two areas of the city with room to grow in the coming years. TDSB staff is to be commended for their excellent work in meeting the Board's commitment to place all applicants and their commitment to continuing to work towards sustainable solutions to meet demand in the areas noted below.
Extra classes were added at Tumpane, Humbercrest, John English and Rawlinson. A new site was proposed at Davisville to meet the demand from Brown and John Fisher; however, there were not enough registrants to open. Placements for overflow applicants to Brown, John Fisher, Allenby and RH McGregor were offered at neighbouring SK immersion schools using proximity as the determining factor.
An extra class was added at Jackman, however this still did not provide spots for all applicants. Lotteries were held at Jackman andWithrow with the waiting lists being offered placement at Winchester. The growing demand for spots in the Broadview/Danforth area is expected to be addressed by September 2009 and meetings are underway with the trustee, staff and parents to determine solutions.
4. Award for 35 years of Immersion
Canadian Parents for French (CPF) presented the TDSB with a plaque in recognition of over 35 years of immersion at the TDSB at the May meeting of the Programs and School Services Committee. Trustee Chris Bolton and Associate Director Dave Rowan accepted the award on behalf of the TDSB. Immersion started with one small class in 1970 and that has grown to more than 19,000 students in immersion/extended French. Betty Gormley from CPF commended the TDSB for its commitment to best practices citing the 100% French instruction in immersion from SK to grade 4, our French Immersion centres at John Fisher, Broadlands and Lester B. Pearson and the level of parent engagement encouraged through the FSLAC.
5. Special Funding for New FSL Projects
TDSB FSL staff has received special funding from the Ministry of Education for 5 FSL renewal projects. Over the summer, work will continue on developing and refining diagnostic assessment tools for use by primary, junior and intermediate FSL teachers to support student literacy. The TDSB is also leading a project with neighbouring school boards to develop performance tasks for classroom use for grade 8 core, extended and immersion. The 07/08 budget for these projects as well as for expansion of the grade 4 extended program and for teacher FSL qualification courses is $804 119.
6. FSLAC Parent Co-chair 08/09
Lise Snelgrove was elected as the Parent Co-chair of the FSLAC for 08/09 at the June 3, 2008 meeting. Lise has served as the Ward 7 FSLAC alternate for 07/08, has been Howard PS council's rep to Ward 7 council and will have a child in the new SK Immersion program at Fern PS in September. Lise received the unanimous support of the FSLAC and under her leadership in the coming year, the FSLAC will continue to work with staff and trustees to foster growth and excellence in FSL programs.
7. Meetings
Parents, students, teachers and staff are invited to attend and participate at FSLAC meetings. Meetings start at 7 pm at the TDSB offices at 5050 Yonge St., ground floor committee room A or B. Meeting notices, reports and minutes are posted on the TDSB website at: www.tdsb.on.ca/fslac. Upcoming dates: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 & Thursday, November 6, 2008
8. Email list
This list is being maintained by FSLAC parent volunteers and will be used for this once/term newsletter and occasional FSL news forinterested community members. To get on the distribution list or to get in touch, please email: fslactoronto@gmail.com
Submitted by Mary Cruden, FSLAC Parent Co-chair
Policies and procedures on aspects of FSL programs have developed at the Board over the years but there is no overall policy in place against which procedures can be developed and evaluated. The Gossling report of 2005 noted this and the Board responded by passing a motion for the development of an Extended and Immersion French policy "establishing a commitment to French-as-a-Second Language as a community-based program that supports French-language proficiency and bilingualism."
System Superintendent Nadine Segal formed a policy review committee of staff to work on an initial draft. In May, the committee expanded to include trustees and FSLAC members. It will meet again in September and in the coming months, the policy will go to the FSLAC, to the Program and School Services Committee of the Board and then to the full Board.
The FSLAC is proposing that the commitment be as stated in the Board motion but also include a commitment to research and innovation, to collaboration with stakeholders, to having a range of programs open to all applicants and to providing learning materials, special ed and literacy support and professional development equitable to the regular program.
2. TDSB Planning for the Future
The TDSB has a real estate portfolio that is larger than its current and projected needs. The Toronto Lands Corporation (TLC), an arm's length corporation, wholly owned by the TDSB, is now administering the portfolio. The TLC's board includes real estate experts and trustees. Any real estate that is sold will generate funds for capital reinvestment.
The GAPP (General Asset and Program Planning) committee is setting up a multi-year process for examining and making recommendations on how to address current and future programming and capital needs. The current array of programs and schools will be reviewed and recommendations made on freeing up resources to improve programs and the condition of schools. Every ward and every school will have the opportunity to provide input as the GAPP process develops recommendations about specific areas and schools. The Board has approved some policy directions concerning optimum school size, grade structure, program distribution, daycare and continuing (adult) education.
Peter Gooch, the Director of Strategy, Policy and Accountability and chair of the GAPP Committee is talking with the FSLAC about how FSL programs will be part of the questions that will guide system-wide planning. Depending on direction from the GAPP Trustee Working Group, he will be bringing recommendations to the Board in the fall. The FSLAC has begun the discussion by identifying some key facilities issues for FSL: the distribution of FSL programs across the city, the JK to SK immersion school transition, the need for flexibility to meet demand, the lack of daycare spots and the dual and single track school models for elementary and secondary.
3. SK Immersion Expansion
New SK Immersion programs will open in September 2008 at Fern PS and Duke of Connaught PS as a result of the November 2007 SK Immersion entry policy. These will provide enough spots for all applicants in these two areas of the city with room to grow in the coming years. TDSB staff is to be commended for their excellent work in meeting the Board's commitment to place all applicants and their commitment to continuing to work towards sustainable solutions to meet demand in the areas noted below.
Extra classes were added at Tumpane, Humbercrest, John English and Rawlinson. A new site was proposed at Davisville to meet the demand from Brown and John Fisher; however, there were not enough registrants to open. Placements for overflow applicants to Brown, John Fisher, Allenby and RH McGregor were offered at neighbouring SK immersion schools using proximity as the determining factor.
An extra class was added at Jackman, however this still did not provide spots for all applicants. Lotteries were held at Jackman andWithrow with the waiting lists being offered placement at Winchester. The growing demand for spots in the Broadview/Danforth area is expected to be addressed by September 2009 and meetings are underway with the trustee, staff and parents to determine solutions.
4. Award for 35 years of Immersion
Canadian Parents for French (CPF) presented the TDSB with a plaque in recognition of over 35 years of immersion at the TDSB at the May meeting of the Programs and School Services Committee. Trustee Chris Bolton and Associate Director Dave Rowan accepted the award on behalf of the TDSB. Immersion started with one small class in 1970 and that has grown to more than 19,000 students in immersion/extended French. Betty Gormley from CPF commended the TDSB for its commitment to best practices citing the 100% French instruction in immersion from SK to grade 4, our French Immersion centres at John Fisher, Broadlands and Lester B. Pearson and the level of parent engagement encouraged through the FSLAC.
5. Special Funding for New FSL Projects
TDSB FSL staff has received special funding from the Ministry of Education for 5 FSL renewal projects. Over the summer, work will continue on developing and refining diagnostic assessment tools for use by primary, junior and intermediate FSL teachers to support student literacy. The TDSB is also leading a project with neighbouring school boards to develop performance tasks for classroom use for grade 8 core, extended and immersion. The 07/08 budget for these projects as well as for expansion of the grade 4 extended program and for teacher FSL qualification courses is $804 119.
6. FSLAC Parent Co-chair 08/09
Lise Snelgrove was elected as the Parent Co-chair of the FSLAC for 08/09 at the June 3, 2008 meeting. Lise has served as the Ward 7 FSLAC alternate for 07/08, has been Howard PS council's rep to Ward 7 council and will have a child in the new SK Immersion program at Fern PS in September. Lise received the unanimous support of the FSLAC and under her leadership in the coming year, the FSLAC will continue to work with staff and trustees to foster growth and excellence in FSL programs.
7. Meetings
Parents, students, teachers and staff are invited to attend and participate at FSLAC meetings. Meetings start at 7 pm at the TDSB offices at 5050 Yonge St., ground floor committee room A or B. Meeting notices, reports and minutes are posted on the TDSB website at: www.tdsb.on.ca/fslac. Upcoming dates: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 & Thursday, November 6, 2008
8. Email list
This list is being maintained by FSLAC parent volunteers and will be used for this once/term newsletter and occasional FSL news forinterested community members. To get on the distribution list or to get in touch, please email: fslactoronto@gmail.com
Submitted by Mary Cruden, FSLAC Parent Co-chair