Rainbow board staff recommend French Immersion cuts

Rainbow District School Board staff are recommending that board trustees vote to chop French Immersion programming at Lansdowne Public School.

A final decision will not be made on the matter until Nov. 22.

If trustees vote in favour of staff's recommendations, Lansdowne Public School will no longer offer French Immersion, effective 2013-2014.

French Immersion students will attend one of the following schools based on boundaries: Ernie Checkeris Public School, Carl A. Nesbitt Public School, Westmount Public School and Alexander Public School.

As well, Rainbow board staff are recommending Sudbury Secondary School continue to offer French Immersion, but only if the school has an enrolment of 45 students in Grade 9 and Grade 10 on October 31, 2012.

If enrolment is not maintained, no new students will be accepted in French Immersion in 2013-2014. Students currently enrolled in French Immersion at Sudbury Secondary School will graduate from Sudbury Secondary School.

As well, under the recommendations, French Immersion programs in Valley North will be reviewed when the Accommodation Review Committee process for the area is established. Valley North schools include Chelmsford Public School, Chelmsford Valley District Composite School, Larchwood Public School and Levack Public School.

French Immersion students will continue to earn 10 of their 30 secondary credits in French, if the recommendations are approved.

There will also be co-operative education placements offered in French. Secondary schools will be encouraged to offer other courses in French to provide as much choice as possible for students.

Rainbow District School Board trustees approved a review of the board’s French Immersion Program Jan. 24.

A French Immersion Program Committee, comprised of teachers and administrators in French Immersion, was established to lead the process and provide options.

Community consultation sessions were held on May 19 and June 14.

The public still has a chance to give the board their feedback on the matter before the final decision is made.

A public input session will be held Oct. 25 at 5:30 pm. in the Lecture Theatre at Lasalle Secondary School.

Requests for presentations must be made in writing 10 days prior to the meeting by contacting the Office of the Director of Education at 705-674-3171, ext. 7254. Presentations will be limited to 10 minutes. Copies of the presentation must be submitted in advance of the meeting.

For those unable to attend the Oct. 25 meeting and wishing to provide further feedback, written input will be accepted until Oct. 28

Send written submissions to: Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor, Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning, Rainbow District School Board, 69 Young Street, Sudbury ON, P3E 3G5, fax 705-674-3167, e-mail: [email protected].

-Posted by Arron Pickard