Extended French Program 2015 2016 Lord, as we prepare to begin - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Extended French Program 2015 – 2016

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.

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

Learning goals We are learning to:  identify the key characteristics of Halton Catholic’s Extended French program  use research and key information to assist in decision-making for your child  articulate the steps of our registration process

Success criteria We will know we have been successful if we can:  articulate the key characteristics of Halton Catholic’s Extended French program  make decisions for our children about which we feel confident  register successfully… if we decide that this program is suitable for our child/family

Why Grade 5?  School and parents have had a better chance to evaluate a youngster’s ability by grade 5  Students have developed a strong first language base  Older students may be more efficient language learners (recent research)  Students have had the experience of Core French  Students have some input in the decision

Expectations of the Program Offers the Opens up Develops an Develops students a new independent increased challenge advantages approach to awareness whose (future study. of study results can employment skills. be options, measured in cultural a relatively exchanges, short period enjoyment, of time. etc.)

Extended French Program Overview  Begins in Grade 5 (option to continue in Secondary school)  3 periods of French instruction  4 periods of English instruction  Curriculum aligned to English  Available at designated schools: students leave their home school and become FULL-TIME members of the Extended French school  For students whose parents are not French first- language speaking

Subjects taught in French …  French Language Arts In the Junior  Science & Technology  Social Studies division  One or two of Visual Arts, Music, (Grades 5-6) and Drama, and Physical Education  French Language Arts In the  Science & Technology Intermediate  History division  Geography (Grades7&8)  One or two of Visual Arts, Music, Drama, and Physical Education

Subjects taught in English …  Religion and Family Life  English Language Arts  Mathematics  One or two of the Arts and Physical Education

By the end of Grade 8, the Extended French student:  Has attained 1520 hours of French*  Can read newspaper and books with occasional help of a dictionary  Can understand radio and television news  Can participate adequately in conversation  Could function well in a French-speaking community after a few weeks residence

What happens after Grade 8? Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12 Extended Extended Extended Extended French & French & French & French Geography History World Religions

Research tells us: • Middle/Extended French students generally attain a greater level of proficiency in the four language skills (reading, writing, oral & visual communication), by the end of Secondary School • Students having a third language perform well in the Extended French Program.

Research tells us: • Extended French does not impede the English language learning process. • In general, Grade 8 Extended French students in ALL programs indicate high levels of confidence in using French with their peers outside of class.

Information you should know 1) Transportation will be provided ONLY for students in the Extended French Program to the designated school as long as they remain in this program until the end of Gr. 8 (Policy 11-24).  enrolment in Extended French 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

Information you should know 2) Cross-boundary families are required to register to the Extended French site assigned to their appropriate HOME school – NOT the school to which they have cross-boundary status.  bussing is impacted  cross-boundary status is reviewed yearly

Information you should know 3) 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.  A minimum of 24 students are required to run a Grade 5 class (a maximum of 28 students; subject to principal discretion)

Information you should know 4) In the event that a student should come out of the program, he/she must return to their home school .  parents/students sometimes expect too much too soon  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

EXTENDED FRENCH Considerations… lp? Parents should meet with their child’s present teacher and/or principal to determine suitability of the program. There are risk factors when:  Support at home is divided  Students do not want to be in the program  A child’s emotional well-being is suffering Consider your child’s strengths, interests, needs and personality in your decision-making.

EXTENDED FRENCH Considerations… help? Experience has shown us that Instruction children who thrive in the program usually display some of the following:  Enjoyment of language  Strong listening, focusing, collaborative and organizational skills  Strong communication skills in their mother tongue  A positive attitude toward new experiences The final decision to enter the program rests with the parents.

How can parents help?  Ensure that he/she receives proper diet and rest  Encourage and foster good learning and homework habits  Encourage students to listen to and watch French language television programs; videos and pop music  Make available French language newspapers, games, magazines and websites for real life reading; TFO  Communicate regularly with teachers

How can parents help?  Where possible, travel to areas where French is the language of communication  Where possible, encourage older students to participate in exchange programs  May wish to join Canadian parents for French (www.cpfont.on.ca)

EXTENDED FRENCH 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

EXTENDED FRENCH Registration Process Part 1  First-come first-served ON-LINE registration Tuesday, January 19, 2016 (beginning at 12:00 p.m.)  www.hcdsb.org/programs/french OR  click on link within sliding news

EXTENDED FRENCH Registration Process Part 2 In order to complete the registration process, an in-person visit to school is required.  The first group of parents (1-23) must go to the school by January 29th, 2016.  Wait-listed families wait to be contacted by the school. 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

Success criteria We will know we have been successful if we can:  articulate the key characteristics of Halton Catholic’s Extended French program  make decisions for our children about which we feel confident  register successfully… if we decide that this is suitable for our child/family!

EARLY FRENCH IMMERSION Contact information Our public site : www.hcdsb.org Schools – school listing French consultant: Anna Marie Toltl 632-6314 ext 207 toltla@hcdsb.org

Questions?