Media Advisory
January 29, 2009
For Immediate Release
Dufferin-Peel approves expansion of French Immersion Program
At the January 27 board meeting, trustees approved the expansion of Dufferin-Peel’s French Immersion Program to two additional school sites for September 2009: St. Gertrude School located at 815 Ceremonial Drive in Mississauga and Our Lady of Providence School located at 35 Black Oak Drive in Brampton. Currently the French Immersion program is offered at St. Margaret of Scotland School in Mississauga and St. Joachim School in Brampton.
The board will hold public information meetings at the two new sites, for parents and guardians interested in enrolling their children in the French Immersion Program for the 2009-2010 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,” explained Marianne Mazzorato, Superintendent of Program.
The French Immersion Program starts in Grade 1 with 90% of the program taught in French. In Grades Two and Three, the percentage is 70% for French as the language of instruction. In Grades Four to Eight, the percentage of the program is 50% with French as the language of instruction.
“Students in the French Immersion Program usually attain a mid-range level of competency in the language,” said Marianne Mazzorato. This means that after at least 3,800 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.”
Parents looking for additional information can contact one of the schools offering the program, and are strongly encouraged to attend the information session at the school offering the program in their area. The schools and contact numbers are listed on the attached schedule. This information is also available on the Dufferin-Peel website at www.dpcdsb.org
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For more information, please contact:
Micheline Goguen, Extended French Consultant at (905) 890-0708, ext. 24307
Nancy Marshall, Communications Officer at (905) 890-0708, ext. 24278