FSLAC NEWS
Welcome to the new school year. I hope your summer was enjoyable and your children are off to a good start. A special welcome to parents new to French programs and to the new SK immersion programs at Fern PS and Duke of Connaught PS.
The FSLAC works with parents, staff and trustees to foster growth and excellence in TDSB French Second Language programs. Trustee Chris Tonks and I co-chair the committee and parent members are elected by ward councils. Meetings take place at the TDSB offices and parents, staff and trustees are welcome. Information about the FSLAC can found at: www.tdsb.on.ca/fslac.
Looking forward to a great year,
Lise Snelgrove
Meeting Date Changed
The first FSLAC meeting of the school year, originally scheduled for Oct.14, has been changed to Tuesday, October 7, main floor cafeteria, TDSB Offices, 5050 Yonge St.
Grade 7 Extended Program to be Reviewed by TDSB
A report with recommendations on the future of the grade 7 Extended French program is expected this fall from TDSB staff. Background data for this report will be presented by FSL staff at the October 7 FSLAC meeting. The discussion of the data and parent comments on Extended 7 made at the meeting will form part of the research being conducted for the report.
Grade 7 Extend French is available at 16 TDSB schools. Students who do core French in grades 4 – 6 may choose to do 30-40% of the academic program in French from grade 7 through high school. The TDSB awards the Certificate of Bilingualism (Extended) to students who complete grade 9-12 French and 3 subject credits studied in French. About 800 students register every year.
After amalgamation, the Harmonization Task Force on FSL did an extensive consultation with experts, parents, students and staff and in 2000, the TDSB decided to offer SK and grade 4 immersion and grade 7 extended across the city.
In 2003, the Board recommitted to this decision and in 2004, the Board added the grade 4 extended program and considered eliminating grade 4 immersion. Currently, all TDSB students are in a catchment for SK, grade 4 immersion and grade 4 extended and as of September 2008, all registrants for these programs are offered placement with new spots being added to meet demand where possible. Grade 7 Extended has not expanded across the city and applicants are subject to lottery for entry.
The commitment to fulfill the Harmonization Task Force's recommendations or even to allow the existing 16 programs to continue is to be reviewed. Staff recommendations are expected to be made in a report to the Program and School Services Committee on November 12 and decisions made at Board on November 26.
Tips for Getting Started in French Programs
As in any new classroom, get to know your child's teacher and class routines.
Find out the best way to stay in touch with the teacher.
Attend the school's curriculum night.
Show an interest in what your child is doing at school. Be an attentive listener.
Get the access code to the school library resource site from your teacher or librarian to access French websites and resources.
Listen to French radio in the car or at home – 860AM.
Visit the local public library for reading materials, CDs and DVDs in French.
If you have concerns, talk to your child's teacher. It can take time to see progress. Be patient.
Show that learning French is relevant and valued in your family.
For Younger Students - Ask about songs, stories and new words. Look at the French library books together. Keep reading to your child in your first language to build a solid foundation for literacy.
Once numbers and colours are learned, give your child opportunities to practice and show off.
Enlist an older sibling or friend to read with your child in French
Watch familiar, short movies in French – many DVDs have a French option.
Call the Toronto Public Library at 416 395 5400 for French Dial-a-Story, up to age 12.
Look for French around you – packaging and signs are great vocabulary builders.
For Older Students
Get a good French/English dictionary and a Bescherelle (verb book) for home use. A French atlas can be very useful too.
Offer extra TV time in French, CBLFT, TFO, CFTM(TVA), TV5. Watch the news in French.
Remember that it is your child's homework and not yours. It doesn't take long for children to pass most parents' high school French level.
If your child has difficulty completing the homework or needs something proofread, get him/her in the habit of going to the teacher for help. Immersion/extended French programs are designed so that parents do not need to speak or write French for the student to be successful.
French Opportunities for High School Students
Planning ahead for next summer and beyond?
For information on summer work/exchanges, look at http://www.cpfont.on.ca/ under 'For Parents, FAQ, Resources'.
Check out http://www.goabroadfair.ca/ September 20-21 at the Exhibition.
Thinking about university applications?
Take a look at the University Profiles available from Canadian Parent for French. There are many options for continuing your studies bilingually. The full Post Secondary Inventory of FSL Education Programs can be viewed at:
http://www.cpf.ca/eng/resources-cpf-guides-inventory.html
Email Lists and Meeting Dates
This list is being maintained by FSLAC parent volunteers and will be used for this newsletter and occasional FSL news for interested community members. To get on the distribution list or to get in touch, please email fslactoronto@gmail.com
Upcoming Meeting Dates:
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Meeting notices, agendas and minutes:
www.tdsb.on.ca/fslac
The FSLAC works with parents, staff and trustees to foster growth and excellence in TDSB French Second Language programs. Trustee Chris Tonks and I co-chair the committee and parent members are elected by ward councils. Meetings take place at the TDSB offices and parents, staff and trustees are welcome. Information about the FSLAC can found at: www.tdsb.on.ca/fslac.
Looking forward to a great year,
Lise Snelgrove
Meeting Date Changed
The first FSLAC meeting of the school year, originally scheduled for Oct.14, has been changed to Tuesday, October 7, main floor cafeteria, TDSB Offices, 5050 Yonge St.
Grade 7 Extended Program to be Reviewed by TDSB
A report with recommendations on the future of the grade 7 Extended French program is expected this fall from TDSB staff. Background data for this report will be presented by FSL staff at the October 7 FSLAC meeting. The discussion of the data and parent comments on Extended 7 made at the meeting will form part of the research being conducted for the report.
Grade 7 Extend French is available at 16 TDSB schools. Students who do core French in grades 4 – 6 may choose to do 30-40% of the academic program in French from grade 7 through high school. The TDSB awards the Certificate of Bilingualism (Extended) to students who complete grade 9-12 French and 3 subject credits studied in French. About 800 students register every year.
After amalgamation, the Harmonization Task Force on FSL did an extensive consultation with experts, parents, students and staff and in 2000, the TDSB decided to offer SK and grade 4 immersion and grade 7 extended across the city.
In 2003, the Board recommitted to this decision and in 2004, the Board added the grade 4 extended program and considered eliminating grade 4 immersion. Currently, all TDSB students are in a catchment for SK, grade 4 immersion and grade 4 extended and as of September 2008, all registrants for these programs are offered placement with new spots being added to meet demand where possible. Grade 7 Extended has not expanded across the city and applicants are subject to lottery for entry.
The commitment to fulfill the Harmonization Task Force's recommendations or even to allow the existing 16 programs to continue is to be reviewed. Staff recommendations are expected to be made in a report to the Program and School Services Committee on November 12 and decisions made at Board on November 26.
Tips for Getting Started in French Programs
As in any new classroom, get to know your child's teacher and class routines.
Find out the best way to stay in touch with the teacher.
Attend the school's curriculum night.
Show an interest in what your child is doing at school. Be an attentive listener.
Get the access code to the school library resource site from your teacher or librarian to access French websites and resources.
Listen to French radio in the car or at home – 860AM.
Visit the local public library for reading materials, CDs and DVDs in French.
If you have concerns, talk to your child's teacher. It can take time to see progress. Be patient.
Show that learning French is relevant and valued in your family.
For Younger Students - Ask about songs, stories and new words. Look at the French library books together. Keep reading to your child in your first language to build a solid foundation for literacy.
Once numbers and colours are learned, give your child opportunities to practice and show off.
Enlist an older sibling or friend to read with your child in French
Watch familiar, short movies in French – many DVDs have a French option.
Call the Toronto Public Library at 416 395 5400 for French Dial-a-Story, up to age 12.
Look for French around you – packaging and signs are great vocabulary builders.
For Older Students
Get a good French/English dictionary and a Bescherelle (verb book) for home use. A French atlas can be very useful too.
Offer extra TV time in French, CBLFT, TFO, CFTM(TVA), TV5. Watch the news in French.
Remember that it is your child's homework and not yours. It doesn't take long for children to pass most parents' high school French level.
If your child has difficulty completing the homework or needs something proofread, get him/her in the habit of going to the teacher for help. Immersion/extended French programs are designed so that parents do not need to speak or write French for the student to be successful.
French Opportunities for High School Students
Planning ahead for next summer and beyond?
For information on summer work/exchanges, look at http://www.cpfont.on.ca/ under 'For Parents, FAQ, Resources'.
Check out http://www.goabroadfair.ca/ September 20-21 at the Exhibition.
Thinking about university applications?
Take a look at the University Profiles available from Canadian Parent for French. There are many options for continuing your studies bilingually. The full Post Secondary Inventory of FSL Education Programs can be viewed at:
http://www.cpf.ca/eng/resources-cpf-guides-inventory.html
Email Lists and Meeting Dates
This list is being maintained by FSLAC parent volunteers and will be used for this newsletter and occasional FSL news for interested community members. To get on the distribution list or to get in touch, please email fslactoronto@gmail.com
Upcoming Meeting Dates:
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Meeting notices, agendas and minutes:
www.tdsb.on.ca/fslac
