News Release
January 5, 2011
For Immediate Release
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board to Hold Public Information Meetings for 2011-2012 French Immersion Program
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board will hold two public information meetings in Mississauga and Brampton for parents and guardians interested in enrolling their children in the board’s French Immersion (FI) Program for the 2011-2012 school year. “The information sessions are intended to provide parents and guardians with an overview of our French Immersion Program, the criteria for admittance, and changes that can be expected from the regular program,” explains Marianne Mazzorato, Superintendent of Program.
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board offers the French Immersion Program starting in Grade 1 at six school sites. Students registered in this program will spend 90 % of their day learning in the French language. All subjects and activities in the French Immersion classroom with the exception of Religion and Family Life, will be delivered in French. In Grades 2 and 3, 70 % of the instruction will be in French, with the proportion of English increasing to 50 % in later years.
“Students in the French Immersion Program usually attain a mid-range level of competency in the language,” says Marianne Mazzorato. This means that after at least 3800 hours of French instruction during his/her school career, the student should be able to read newspapers and books, with the occasional help of a dictionary, as well as watch and understand radio and television news and other programs. The student should also be able to participate adequately in conversation, demonstrate knowledge of the culture, society, customs, economy, government and institutions of a French-speaking community and, after a few months residence, function quite well in a French-speaking community.
“In cases where the number of applications exceeds the number of places available at a school, we will hold a lottery,” noted Marianne Mazzorato. “The lottery would be held at a predetermined and advertised date, if required. In all other cases, students will be placed in the program, provided all required documentation is in order.”
More detailed information will be available at parent/guardian meetings to be held at two French Immersion locations:
Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
Meeting for Brampton FI sites Meeting for Mississauga FI sites
St. Joachim St. Gertrude
435 Rutherford Road North 815 Ceremonial Drive
Brampton, ON Mississauga, ON
L6V 3V9 L5R 3S2
-30-
Media Contact:
Micheline Goguen, Extended French Consultant, Elementary Program
(905) 890-0708 ext. 24307
Julia Seeratan, Communications Officer
(905) 890-0708 ext. 24278