F.I. Information Nights for January 2012
The Halton District School Board takes pride in offering Immersion and Extended French programs to students in their communities with a set entry point in Grade 1 (Early) and Grade 7 (Extended). In these bilingual programs, elementary students attend one of our French Centres where they receive half of their instruction in English and half in French. This gives students the opportunity to achieve a working command of French and to acquire the personal growth, knowledge and skills expected in the regular program at the same time.
In preparation for September 2012, we have information sessions at our French Immersion centres where you will receive specific information, as well as answers to frequently asked questions about Immersion programs. You will also receive a French Immersion Program Registration Form. We encourage you to read this information to help make an informed decision about Immersion for your child. Also plan to attend your school’s information meeting (listed below).
The completed registration form will be received only at your child's home school. Completed application forms for Grade 1 Early French Immersion and Grade 7 Extended French Immersion must be received no later than 9 a.m. on January 20, 2012. The following are the nights, times and locations for the F.I. Information Nights:
- Tuesday, January 10: 6:30 p.m. - George Kennedy Public School, 75 Weber Dr., Georgetown
- Wednesday, January 11: 6:30 p.m. -
Charles R. Beaudoin Public School, 4313 Clubview Drive, Burlington;
Sunningdale Public School, 1434 Oxford Avenue, Oakville;
Munn’s Public School, 1511 Sixth Line, Oakville;
Alexander’s Public School, 2223 Sutton Drive, Burlington;
Tiger Jeet Singh Public School, 650 Yates Drive, Milton;
*Sir E. MacMillan Public School, 1350 Headon Road, Burlington (*For Late Immersion Program – entry point: Grade 7)
- Thursday, January 12: 6:30 p.m. -
Maplehurst Public School, 481 Plains Road E., Burlington;
Pineland Public School, 5121 Meadowhill Road, Burlington;
James W. Hill Public School, 2860 Kingsway Drive, Oakville;
Palermo Public School, 2561 Valleyridge Drive, Oakville;
École Forest Trail, 1406 Pine Glen Road, Oakville;
P.L. Robertson Public School, 840 Scott Blvd, Milton;
Orchard Park Public School, 5151 Dryden Avenue, Burlington;
Robert Baldwin Public School, 180 Wilson Drive, Milton;
7 p.m. - Martin Street Public School, 184 Martin Street, Milton
- Monday, January 16: 7 p.m., John William Boich, 2474 Sutton Drive, Burlington
- Tuesday, January 17: 6:30 p.m. -
Robert Little Public School, 41 School Lane, Acton;
7 p.m. - Bruce T. Lindley, 2510 Cavendish Drive, Burlington
- Wednesday, January 18: 6:30 p.m. -
E.W. Foster Public School, 320 Coxe Blvd., Milton;
Tom Thomson Public School, 2171 Prospect Street, Burlington;
7 p.m. - Pine Grove Public School, 529 Fourth Line, Oakville; Clarksdale Public School, 2399 Mountainside Dr., Burlington
- Thursday, January 19: 6:30 p.m. - E.J.James Public School, 338 Cairncroft Road, Oakville
French Advisory Committee Information and Updates
French Advisory Committee (FAC) was established in April 2009. The committee is made up of parents, secondary student representatives, elementary and secondary teachers, trustees, principals and members of senior administration. For more information about FAC and its mandate, click here.
Applications for the French Advisory Committee (FAC) for the 2012-2013 school year will be available in spring 2012. Please check back then.
French Language Programs - 2010-2011
What is Core French?
Core French is a mandatory program, beginning in Grade 4 through Grade 8. This program is delivered through 200 minutes of instruction per week. In order to earn the Ontario Secondary School Diploma at the end of Grade 12, students must successfully complete one French credit in high school.
What is French Immersion?
French Immersion is an optional program designed to give children an opportunity to become fluent in our second official language. In The Halton District School Board, fifty percent of our elementary program is in French, and 50% is in English. There are two entry points: early immersion starts in Grade 1, and late Immersion starts in Grade 7.
What is Early French Immersion?
This program begins in Grade 1, and continues through Grade 12. There are no entrance requirements, although recommendations from the Kindergarten teacher and school Principal are strongly suggested. Presentations at French Immersion centers/schools (French Immersion Centres Burlington, French Immersion Centres Oakville, and French immersion Centers Milton, Georgetown, Acton) and registration take place during January, for the following September. Registration forms may also be found on our web site (French Immersion Grade 1 Application). Completed forms should be submitted to your home school.
In order to earn an Ontario Secondary School Certificate for Early French Immersion at the end of Grade 12, students must successfully complete 4 courses in French Immersion and a minimum of 6 courses in other subjects taught in French.
What is Late French Immersion?
This program begins in Grade 7, and continues through Grade 12. Although there are no formal entrance requirements, we strongly recommend that the student has successfully completed Core French in Grades 4 through 6. Registration forms are distributed to Halton Grade 6 students in January, for the following September, and may also be found on our web site (French Immersion Extended application). Completed forms should be submitted to your home school. This program is only offered at Sir Ernest MacMillan Public School in Burlington. Students attend Lester B. Pearson Secondary School. No transportation is provided.
In order to earn an Ontario Secondary School Certificate for Extended French Immersion at the end of Grade 12, students must successfully complete 4 courses in Extended French Immersion and a minimum of 3 courses in other subjects taught in French.
How do I know if French Immersion is appropriate for my child?
Children who may find the program appropriate-
- Handle new situations using positive coping strategies (e.g.: risk-taker, gets along with peers, confident, with positive self-esteem.
- Demonstrate curiosity and a willingness to explore and experiment.
- Listen effectively (can retell or explain a story or events in proper sequence.
- Play with language (enjoys rhyming, memory and games.
- Enjoy new words (repeats and uses new vocabulary appropriately.
- Have well established work habits.
- Have a successful kindergarten year.
- Exhibit appropriate first language development.
Children who may find the program challenging:
- Perform below average in his/her own first language.
- Have parents who don't equally support enrolment and/or the student does not want to be in the program.
- Find their kindergarten experience challenging emotionally.
- Experience difficulty staying on task.
- Have weak listening skills.
- Experience difficulty retaining information.
Where can I find more information about French Immersion programs?
Please see French Immersion Programs in Halton DSB. To learn more about these French programs refer to the Downloads section.
Contact Information - 905-631-6120
Elizabeth Hoerath, French Instructional Program Leader, ext. 488
Renée Meloche, Acting French Coordinator, ext. 437
Anne-Marie Sienna, French System Principal, ext. 426