|
Parents Take to Social Media to Lobby for New School Program |
 |
 |
 |
|
Released: January 18th, 2012
Vancouver, BC — Parents in Chilliwack, BC, are taking to social media to drum-up community support for the creation of a new Early French immersion program which would open September 2012. It is the first time in the 43 years that French immersion has been offered in BC that parents have lead a social media-based campaign to engage other parents and to lobby school trustees.
Currently, the absence of an Early French immersion (EFI) program in Chilliwack means that students who wish to enroll in French immersion must travel outside of their school district to attend school in Abbotsford, where EFI is offered.
“Using the connective power of Facebook and Twitter, parents in Chilliwack are taking it upon themselves to drum-up support for the creation of a new French immersion program in their community,” said Glyn Lewis, Executive Director of Canadian Parents for French – BC & Yukon.
“For 33 years, French immersion parents have used telephone trees, newsletters, and good ol’ fashioned living room meetings to spread the word and to organize the parent community. This group of social media-savvy parents in Chilliwack is ushering in a new and exciting age of parent engagement and involvement,” concluded Lewis.
There are over 275,000 students enrolled in French immersion, Intensive French or French as a subject in BC and the Yukon. When broken down further, 44,800 students (or 7.7% of the entire student population) in BC is enrolled in a French immersion program1.
Canadian Parents for French (CPF) is a national network of parent volunteers who work to promote and ensure quality and equitable access to French second language opportunities for all youth. The CPF BC & Yukon branch is by far the largest in Canada with over 8,100 members.
- 30 -
For more information, please contact:
Glyn Lewis, Executive Director
Canadian Parents for French
BC & Yukon Branch
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
– 778-329-9115 (ext. 316)
www.cpf.bc.ca
Travis Forstbauer
Parents for Early French immersion in Chilliwack
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
– 604-841-6656
1. BC enrolment statistics: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/reports/pdfs/student_stats/prov.pdf
Backgrounder:
How parents in Chilliwack are using social media:
- To update supporters on their progress and happenings at school board meetings
- To highlight media coverage and thank the media for their support and reporting of the issue
- To give updates on their plans to push the issue further forward
- To inform supporters what actions they can take to help the issue (i.e., participating in an informal email survey)
- To answer questions posed by supporters and the general public
Why this is important:
- Parents have always been involved in shaping French second language education policy in their communities, and with these tools, parents and supporters are able to convene and share information more widely and faster than ever before.
- Social media is an effective way to engage and organize FSL supporters and volunteers in our communities.
- French second language programs are in high demand in BC. A new generation of students will be entering these programs and demand for accessible Early French immersion is evident by this group’s activity. |
|
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 18 January 2012 20:27 )
|
|
Federal government spends $10 million on French second language education in BC |
|
|
|
|
Released: January 16th, 2012 Vancouver, BC — The Fraser Institute released today a study[1] that shows that provincial and federal governments are spending $2.4 billion a year on minority-language education and services in Canada. Of this amount, British Columbia received $9.5 million for French second language education in 2006/2007.
“French is the second most common language in British Columbia, in part because the parent community has been flocking to French second language programs since they were first introduced in 1968,” said Glyn Lewis, Executive Director of Canadian Parents for French – BC & Yukon. (Source: La Fédération des francophones de la Colombie-Britannique.)
“A nominal annual investment by the federal government of $10 million ensures that the 275,000 students currently enrolled in French second language studies in BC have equitable access to quality French educational programming,” he concluded.
French second language programs include French immersion, Intensive French or French as a subject. When broken down further, 44,800 students (or 7.7% of the entire student population) in BC are enrolled in a French immersion program[2].
Canadian Parents for French (CPF) is a national network of parent volunteers who work to promote and ensure quality and equitable access to French second language opportunities for all youth. The CPF-BC & Yukon branch is by far the largest in Canada with over 8,100 members.
- 30 -
For more information, please contact:
Glyn Lewis, Executive Director
Canadian Parents for French
BC & Yukon Branch
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
– 778-329-9115 (ext. 316)
www.cpf.bc.ca
Related article: The National Post: Bilingual requirement for government costs $2.4-billion per year BC enrolment statistics: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/reports/pdfs/student_stats/prov.pdf |
|
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 17 January 2012 00:40 )
|
|
BC Ministry of Education reverses controversial language decision |
|
|
|
|
Released: November 22, 2011 Vancouver, BC — Canadian Parents for French (CPF) – BC & Yukon is pleased to announce the BC Ministry of Education has reversed a controversial curriculum proposal which would have demoted the significance of French in BC’s public education system. In late 2010, the BC Ministry of Education proposed new curriculum for second language instruction which re-categorized French as an “Additional Language” along with German, Japanese, Mandarin and others. Recently, and after much public debate, the Ministry released a revised K – 12 curriculum document which makes a distinction between French and other languages of instruction. “We are pleased to see the BC Ministry of Education recognize the unique status of both official languages in BC’s education system,” said Glyn Lewis, Interim Executive Director of CPF BC & Yukon Branch. “French – an official language of Canada – should act as a gateway to other languages,” concluded Lewis. CPF BC & Yukon is grateful that the Ministry of Education has listened and positively responded to Francophile and Francophone organizations, language coordinators, CPF and other stakeholders who strongly opposed the re-categorization of French as one of many other “additional” languages of instruction. There are over 275,000 students enrolled in French immersion, Intensive French or French as a second language in BC & the Yukon. Canadian Parents for French is a national network of parent volunteers who work to promote and ensure quality French Second Language programs and activities for all youth.
For more information, please contact:
Glyn Lewis, Interim Executive Director
Canadian Parents for French BC & Yukon Branch
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
— 778-329-9115 (ext. 316)
www.cpf.bc.ca
The revised Draft French Curriculum may be viewed at http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/irp/drafts/french.pdf
More information on the original draft curriculum proposal:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2011/02/04/bc-language-cirriculum.html Related articles:
French will maintain favoured status in BC schools
BC backs off plan to devalue school French
BC abandons plan to demote French-language instruction
|
|
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 23 November 2011 21:38 )
|
|
Back-to-School & New Beginnings |
|
|
|
|
Released: September 8, 2011 Vancouver, BC – Canadian Parents for French (CPF) BC & Yukon, the largest French second language advocacy group in B.C., is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Executive Director as the new school year kicks-off. Robert Rothon, who served as the Executive Director of CPF – BC &Yukon Branch since 2008, was recently selected as the National Executive Director of Canadian Parents for French. The CPF - BC & Yukon Branch is pleased to announce the appointment of Glyn Lewis as Interim Executive Director. “French immersion enrolment is at a record high. Parents from Victoria to Fort St. John are recognizing the life-long benefits of official language opportunities within the public school system,” says Glyn Lewis. There are over 275,000 students enrolled in French immersion, Intensive French or French as a subject in BC and the Yukon in the public school system. This fall comes on the heels of the twelfth straight year of enrolment growth in the French immersion program in B.C.; 7.7% of the entire public school student population - or 44,800 students - are now registered in the French immersion program. Canadian Parents for French BC & Yukon is available for comment on the back-to-school challenges facing French second language programs and families as well as the role of official language education as a gateway to multilingualism. The CPF - BC & Yukon Branch is the largest in Canada with over 8,100 members. For more information, please contact:
Glyn Lewis, Executive Director
Canadian Parents for French BC & Yukon
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
778-329-9115 or (Toll free) 1-800-665-1222 ext. 316
Website: www.cpf.bc.ca
|
|
Lucky 13 for French Immersion in BC |
|
|
|
|
Vancouver – As the current school year draws to a close, Canadian Parents for French - BC & Yukon Branch is celebrating a record thirteenth year of growth for French Immersion in British Columbia. According to data for 2010/2011 provided by the BC Ministry of Education, 44, 848 students in public schools were enrolled in French Immersion programs, an increase of 884 students over the previous year. This 2.01 % increase is similar to growth rates for 2001/02 and 2002/03. French Immersion students now account for 7.7% of the total public school enrolment, a .1% increase over last year.
Table 1 - French Immersion- Enrolment Statistics 2010/2011 -BC Public Schools only
| Year | Public School French
Immersion
Enrolment | % Change in FI enrolment from previous year | Total
Public School
Enrolment | % Change in total enrolment from previous year | FI as % of Total Public School Enrolment | | 2010-11 | 44,848 | 2.01 | 579,094 | -0.24 | 7.7% | | 2009-10 | 43,964 | 3.51 | 580,486 | +0.17 | 7.6% | | 2008-09 | 42,474 | 3.59 | 579,492 | -0.71 | 7.3% | | 2007-08 | 41,002 | 3.80 | 583,627 | -0.71 | 7.0% | | 2006-07 | 39,500 | 3.95 | 587,820 | -1.95 | 6.7% | | 2005-06 | 37,998 | 6.99 | 599,492 | -1.14 | 6.3% | | 2004-05 | 35,515 | 6.32 | 606,383 | -1.43 | 5.9% | | 2003-04 | 33,403 | 4.43 | 615,185 | -0.97 | 5.4% | | 2002-03 | 31,987 | 2.74 | 621,202 | -1.40 | 5.1% | | 2001-02 | 31,133 | 2.36 | 630,049 | -0.39 | 4.9% | | 2000-01 | 30,414 | | 632,503 | | 4.8% |
"Although posting a slight decrease in growth compared to previous years, French immersion remains a strong incentive for parents to keep their children in public schools in British Columbia,” declares CPF - BC & Yukon President Debra Pool of Vernon. “CPF members will continue to work with their local school district to keep this program, and other French Second Language programs like Core French and Intensive French, healthy. Demand still outstrips capacity in many school districts, so the need to plan for sustained growth is still present.” she concludes. School districts with a strong demand for additional French immersion classes include Vancouver, Kootenay Lake and New Westminster, to name three.
Numbers Hold in YukonYukon posted a statistically negligible increase in the 2010-2011 school year, with enrolment increasing by three, from 602 to 605 students at Whitehorse Elementary and F.H. Collins Secondary. Numbers at Whitehorse Elementary, however, promise future program growth, and CPF-BC & Yukon is optimistic that French immersion will resume a pattern of expansion noticeable since 2008. Canadian Parents for French-BC & Yukon is a non-governmental, parent-led organization promoting French-second-language educational and cultural learning opportunities for youth. With over 8,000 members, the BC & Yukon branch is by far the largest in Canada. Student statistics for 2010/2011 are available from the British Columbia Ministry of Education website at http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/reports/pdfs/student_stats/prov.pdf and from Yukon Education at http://www.education.gov.yk.ca/psb/enrolmentrept.html For more information, please contact:
Robert Rothon
Executive Director
O: 778 329 9115 ext. 316
|
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, 09 June 2011 22:53 )
|
|
Record Number of Young French Language Speakers Wow Audience |
|
|
|
|
Vancouver – Speaking on topics as radically different as the Mayan Apocalypse, the Alberta oil sands and the Canadian flag, 300 students in Grade 6 to 12 presented three-minute speeches in the daylong provincial finals of the 28th annual Concours d’art oratoire (Concours) last Saturday. The event, organized by Canadian Parents for French – BC & Yukon Branch, is the culmination of classroom, school and district competitions involving thousands of students across British Columbia. An estimated 800 attendees, including student competitors, filled the mezzanine of Simon Fraser University Surrey. Volunteer judges chose 75 first, second and third place winners in five categories: Early French immersion, Late French immersion, Core French, Francophone and Intensive French. Prizes awarded included university entrance scholarships, books and medals. Grade 12 winners in four of the five categories will be invited to the National finals in Ottawa to compete for a $20,000 scholarship to the University of Ottawa. They are: Mark Fleming of SD#39, Mandoline Houriet of SD#44, Alan Chang of SD#39 and Tanya Bagai of SD#37. The complete list of winners is available at http://www.cpf.bc.ca/site3/index.php/events/45-concours-dart-oratoire/1437-2011-concours-winners Sponsors and supporters of the event include: Canadian Heritage; the BC Ministry of Education; School District #93; Simon Fraser University Surrey; the University of Ottawa; Radio-Canada; the Consulate General of France; Québec Intergovernmental Affairs; the BC Federation of Francophones; the L’Express du Pacifique newspaper; and, for the first time, National Bank/La Banque Nationale, which gave a $1,500 grant to Canadian Parents for French – BC & Yukon Branch. Canadian Parents for French-BC & Yukon is a non-governmental, parent-led organization promoting French-second-language educational and cultural learning opportunities for youth. With almost 8,000 members, the BC & Yukon branch is by far the largest in Canada. Source: Robert Rothon, Executive Director, CPF - BC & Yukon. 778.329.9115, ext. 316.
|
|
Record Number of Student Speakers to Compete at Annual French Language Public Speaking Contest |
|
|
|
|
Released: May 4, 2011 Vancouver – 300 students will take part in the regional finals of the national French language public speaking contest, Concours, on Saturday May 7 at Simon Fraser University Surrey. Organized by the British Columbia & Yukon Branch of Canadian Parents for French, Concours offers university entrance scholarships, books, medals and other awards. In addition, Grade 12 sectional winners are invited to the National finals in Ottawa to compete for a $20,000 entrance scholarship to the University of Ottawa. Concours is open to youth from grades six through 12 who are studying in French second language programs (Early and Late French Immersion, Core French and Intensive French) or the French first language program (Francophone), and who have won their school district finals. An estimated 10,000 children in BC take part every year in Concours, and many thousands more across Canada, making it one of the largest public-speaking events of its type in the country. 2011 Concours sponsors, supporters and exhibitors include: Canadian Heritage; the BC Ministry of Education; the University of Ottawa; School District # 93; the Fédération des francophones de la Colombie-Britannique; Radio-Canada British Columbia; Québec Intergovernmental Affairs; the Consulate General of France; and the National Bank. Canadian Parents for French - BC & Yukon is a non-governmental, parent-led organization promoting French-second-language educational and cultural learning opportunities for youth. Source: Robert Rothon, Executive Director. Call toll free: 1-800-665-1222 or 778.329.9115, ext. 316.
|
|
Last Updated ( Monday, 16 May 2011 17:42 )
|
|
Head Judge for Province-Wide Competition Announced |
|
|
|
|
Released: April 21, 2011 VANCOUVER – Renée Hamilton-Clark, Ph.D will be the Head Judge for this year's Concours d’art oratoire competition taking place on May 7, 2011 at SFU Surrey Campus. The competition, hosted by Canadian Parents for French – BC & Yukon Branch, is the BC component of a nation-wide public speaking competition for students in French First and Second Language programs: Early & Late French immersion, Core French, Intensive (or Extended Core) French and Francophone. Concours allows students to showcase their fluency in one of Canada’s official languages, and demonstrate their public speaking skills, and writing skills as well. Students at varying grade levels compete for prizes and spots at the National competition, where they get a chance to win additional awards, including a generous scholarship to the University of Ottawa. In the past, BC students have competed exceptionally well at the National level. Renée Hamilton-Clark first volunteered as a judge in 2007, and served as Head Judge in 2008 and 2009. During Dr Hamilton-Clark’s absence from the country in 2010, Betty-Joan Traverse, a colleague from UFV, generously agreed to step in as Head Judge. Dr Hamilton-Clark looks forward to returning to lead to judging proceedings this year. Currently a French Instructor at the University of the Fraser Valley, Dr Hamilton-Clark is an experienced bilingual educator. She has taught high school English, International Relations, and all levels of French, from elementary to post-secondary. She believes that, “there is no better way to promote international understanding and tolerance than through the study of another language.” In addition to her teaching, she has also been a Foreign Languages Department Head, Senior Class Advisor, Model United Nations Advisor and National Honour Society Advisor. With a passion for providing educational and cultural opportunities for youth, Dr Hamilton-Clark has organized and led several cultural and linguistic trips to Paris, France, as well as Model United Nations trips to Beijing, China. She is a great fan of Concours and the important role it plays in enhancing not only oral competency in French, but also in teaching valuable life skills. She looks forward to meeting the 2011 batch of bright, energetic Concours participants, as she has said, “working with youth is the best way I know to stay mentally young.” Canadian Parents for French – BC & Yukon Branch is a parent-led organization with over 8,000 members, the largest single provincial/territorial membership in Canada. CPF BC & Yukon promotes and works to ensure quality French Second Language programs exist across BC and the Yukon. Source: Erika Rosales, Concours Coordinator. Call toll free: 1-800-665-1222 or 778.329.9115, ext. 315.
|
|
Last Updated ( Monday, 16 May 2011 17:16 )
|
|
Sharing the joy of Francophone music from the Prairies with BC kids |
|
|
|
|
Released: November 3, 2010 Vancouver, BC - Bilingualism Rocks! is a traveling production of bilingual entertainers sponsored by the BC & Yukon Branch of Canadian Parents for French thanks to the financial assistance of Canadian Heritage and the Francophone School Authority of British Columbia. Bilingualism Rocks! brings young Canadians together in celebration of our shared history and heritage. This second edition of Bilingualism Rocks! features a specially commissioned piece Klondike by Alberta’s musical and storytelling duo Trad’badour (www.tradbadour.ca). The duo of Roger Dallaire (storyteller and singer) and Daniel Gervais (fiddle) is one of the best kept secrets on the Western Canadian music circuit, with their idiosyncratic blend of traditional Francophone folk and contemporary country music served with a dash of cabaret. The tour kicks off on Thursday, November 4 in Golden, with performances taking place across BC between November 2010 and February 2011. Canadian Parents for French (CPF) is the national network of volunteers which values French as an integral part of Canada and which is dedicated to the promotion and creation of French second language learning opportunities for young Canadians. For more information or interview requests, please contact: Erika Rosales
Tour Coordinator
CPF BC & Yukon Branch
778.329.9115 or 1.888.665.1222 ext. 315
|
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, 04 November 2010 20:15 )
|
|
Record 12th consecutive year of growth for French Immersion in BC |
|
|
|
|
Released: June 14, 2010 Vancouver – As the current school year draws to a close, Canadian Parents for French - BC & Yukon Branch is celebrating a record twelfth year of growth for French Immersion enrolment in British Columbia. According to data for 2009/2010 provided by the BC Ministry of Education, 43, 964 students in public schools were enrolled in French Immersion programs across BC, an increase of 1,490 students over the previous year. This 3.39% increase is in line with the rate of growth for the last three years. French Immersion students now account for 7.6% of the total public school enrolment, a .3% increase over last year. Table 1 - French Immersion- Enrolment Statistics 2009/2010 -BC Public Schools only | Year | French
Immersion
Enrolment | % Change in FI enrolment from previous year | Total
Public School
Enrolment | % Change in total enrolment from previous year | FI as % of TotalPublic School Enrolment | | 2009-10 | 43,964 | 3.39 | 580,486 | +0.17 | 7.6% | | 2008-09 | 42,474 | 3.47 | 579,492 | -0.7 | 7.3% | | 2007-08 | 41,002 | 3.66 | 583,627 | -0.7 | 7.0% | | 2006-07 | 39,500 | 3.80 | 587,820 | -1.9 | 6.7% | | 2005-06 | 37,998 | 6.53 | 599,492 | -1.1 | 6.3% | | 2004-05 | 35,515 | 5.95 | 606,383 | -1.4 | 5.9% | | 2003-04 | 33,403 | 4.24 | 615,185 | -1.0 | 5.4% | | 2002-03 | 31,987 | 2.67 | 621,202 | -1.4 | 5.1% | | 2001-02 | 31,133 | 2.31 | 630,049 | -1.0 | 4.9% | | 2000-01 | 30,414 |
| 632,503 |
| 4.8% | "French Immersion remains a magnet for parents who entrust their children’s education to the public school system,” declares CPF - BC & Yukon President Debra Pool of Vernon. "The continued growth and success of the French Immersion program in a period of financial retrenchment by school districts across the province is a remarkable achievement,” says Pool. “CPF members will continue to work with their local school district to keep this program, and other French Second Language programs, part of the core business of public education in our province,” she concludes. Many school districts have moved to balance their budgets this year by adopting measures such as consolidating schools (Prince George), changing the program delivery model from dual track to single track schools (Kamloops), or eliminating FI programs altogether (Late French Immersion in 100 Mile House), to name three. Canadian Parents for French-BC & Yukon is a non-governmental, parent-led organization promoting French-second-language educational and cultural learning opportunities for youth. With almost 9,000 members, the BC & Yukon branch is by far the largest in Canada. Student statistics for 2009/2010 are available from the British Columbia Ministry of Education website at http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/reports/pdfs/student_stats/prov.pdf |
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, 17 June 2010 23:21 )
|
|
|
