1. York Catholic District School Board
French Immersion Program
Our Lady of Fatima CES (Woodbridge)
Parent Information Night
June17, 2014
Principal to welcome parents, lead the prayer, and introduce presenting team. Team should include School Superintendent, Trustee, Board staff.

2. Our Lady of Fatima CES Principal V. Garofalo FI Staff Mme. Ross Gr. 1
Mme. Ferreira Gr. 2
School Council
Co-Chair
S. Cassar
T. Frattorolli
Students
455
Mascot
Falcons
Principal introduce school profile to the parents.

3. Rationale for French Immersion Programs
French is one of Canada’s two official languages and one of Ontario’s two official languages of instruction.
Knowledge of a second language strengthens first-language skills.
Ability to speak two or more languages generally enhances reasoning and problem-solving, as well as creative-thinking skills.
Research shows children educated in content subjects (like science and geography) in two languages develop higher reasoning and analytical skills.
Knowledge of French provides students with an advantage in a number of careers, both in Canada and internationally.
S.O. or Anna

4. Successful French Immersion Students
Research suggests that children
who are successful in French Immersion are:
Risk takers
Interested in learning new things
Attending school regularly
Positive in their attitude toward school
Able to communicate well verbally in their first language
Effective listeners
Capable of good memory skills
Anna

5. Y.C.D.S.B. Program Delivery
The French Immersion program began in Grade 1, September Currently we have Grades 1,2,3,4 and 5 French Immersion with gr. 6 starting in September 2014.
French is the language of instruction for 85% of the time in the primary grades and will be 50% from grades 4 to 8.
The program will deliver approximately 5,000 hours of instruction between Grades 1 to Grade 8.
Anna

6. Curriculum For Subjects Taught in French
Students will be taught the Ontario curriculum.
For subjects like Science or Geography, the expectations in each grade are essentially those outlined in the English-language subject curriculum documents.
Learning resources provided in French follow the Ontario English language curriculum.
Students will be expected to achieve the regular English language curriculum expectations before the end of
Grade 8.
Anna

7. Assessment Policy
The assessment and evaluation of students in the French Immersion Program will be consistent with Board procedures and practices for all students
Anna

8. Transportation Students in grades JK to 3 residing
1.2 km beyond the school will receive transportation. As well as, students in grades 4 to 8, who live beyond 1.6 km and live within the French Immersion transportation boundary will receive transportation. Students are required to walk a short distance to and from these centralized bus stops.
As of September 2013 transportation is provided for siblings of students registered in the French Immersion program. This busing privilege exists as long as one child in the family remains in the French Immersion program.
Bus Buddies for younger students. .
S.O. or Principal

9. Implementation Model
French Immersion at Our Lady of Fatima CES will be available to grade 1 and 2 students for September 2014.
S.O. or Principal

10. Questions and Answers Why Early French Immersion (EFI)?
Research shows that Early Immersion leads to the highest fluency in French
Will my child’s English skills suffer?
There is a certain lag in English Language Arts for the first few years of the French Immersion program, specifically spelling skills in English. However, the gap is minimized with the introduction of English in Grade 4.
Anna

11. Questions and Answers
How does the French Immersion program impact student achievement in mathematics and other subjects?
Research indicates that the performance of French Immersion students in other subjects is equal to the performance of students in the English program.
Anna

12. Questions and Answers
Is it important for someone at home to speak French?
The program is designed for children of non-French speaking families. All communication from the school to parents will be in English, including report cards. We do not translate assignments for parents.
Anna

13. Questions and Answers
How may I help my child with homework when I do not speak French?
While it may be helpful, it is not necessary, for parents to speak French. Research studies confirm that children achieve greater academic success when parents read daily to their child in the child’s first language.
Anna

14. Questions and Answers
Is French Immersion appropriate for all students?
Children who have poor listening skills, memory skills, or who have had difficulty learning their first language tend to experience difficulty in the program. Children who have difficulty learning to read in English may have difficulty learning to read in French. It is important to consider your child’s progress in the kindergarten program before considering enrollment in French Immersion. We recommend that you consult with your child’s kindergarten teacher as well.
Anna

15. KINDERGARTEN TO GRADE 1 Transitioning to… Full day New language
New classroom setup (desks, independent,…)
New classmates, new teacher, new school
Bus Routine (Bus Buddies)

16. FRENCH CLASSROOM
Class begins in English and then gradually more French is introduced.
Guided Reading begins in November for those who are ready.
Children should be reading between Level 6-8 at the end of grade 1.
Gestures (AIM) program is used during the beginning of the year and then used only when needed, as the year progresses.
Oral/Visual rich classroom environment
Participation is key!
Homework is 15 minutes (reading & words of the week)

17. WHAT IF MY CHILD IS STRUGGLING…
Children experiencing difficulties will received extra support…
Parent Volunteers to help read with children outside the classroom.
Paired with a buddy.
Accommodation if needed.
Remediation/Skills development after school. (ACE)
Communication to parents.
The philosophy when conducting assessments is to give those who have struggled a second opportunity to do well…

18. OVER THE SUMMER YCDSB Summer Programs
Kindergarten students (French Summer Camp 2 weeks AM)
Grade 1 Students (Conversational French 3 weeks AM)
See YCDSB.CA for registration information
Language Nut (great resource for all students)
French TV
My website is
Songs, websites, apps, great for students over the summer

19. Transition from Grade 1 into 2
- "Pas d'anglais" rule - French only within the classroom
- Guided Reading begins in September/October after Diagnostic Reading Assessment
- Gradual release from Gestures (AIM) program
- Les devoirs minutes max.
- Math workbook/homework accompanies lessons and manipulatives/posters (other tasks go home)
- Daily writing tasks (progressing in difficulty)
- English and/or French Excursions/Programs (i.e Scientists in the School, McMichael Art Gallery, Science Centre, etc.)
- In-school cultural activities in French (French Immersion)
- La lecture - Levels Correlation Chart

20. READING LEVEL CORRELATIONS AND TARGETSRevised October 2008
Grade
Guided Reading Level (F&P)
PM Benchmark
GB+&
French
DRA
First Step
Reading a-z
Reading Recovery K A
1-2
A-1
Primary DRA Kit
Roleplay- Experimental
aa-A 1 B
3-4
2-3 2 C 5 4
Experimental
K-1 D 6 3
5-6 E
7-8 8
Early F
9-10 10 G
11-12 12 H
13-14 7 14
H-I I
15-16
16-18
Early- Transitional J
15-17 17 20
18-20
18-19 24
L-M L
20-21
Transitional
N-O M 22 28 P N
23-24
17-19 30
Q-R O
25-26
34-36
R-S 27
22-23 38 T Q
28-29
24-25 40
DRA 4-8 U R
26-27 V S W
4-5
Transitional- Independent X
French DRA 50 Y Z
Independent 60
6-7
60 To 70 70 80

21. Transition from Grade 1 into 2
Sacraments: Reconciliation &
First Holy Communion
Grade 2 students receive preparation for the sacraments of Reconciliation & First Communion from the Religion and Family Life Teacher. Students receive 30 minutes of Religion and Family Life instruction daily in both grade 1 and 2.
Communication:
You will be informed about important dates and events as they become available to the school through the parish.
We will communicate with you as soon as we receive information from the parish.

22. What if my child is struggling in Gr. 2?
There will be on-going communication between teacher and parent. (Assessments, agenda, meetings, etc...)
Differentiated instruction and assessment as needed.
Accommodations as needed.
Extra-support from the classroom teacher as needed
Reading Buddies/Parent Volunteers
Organized and strategic groupings
SBRT & INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PLAN if needed
Modifications as needed
All efforts will be focused on your child achieving success in the program.
A student who qualifies for SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES WILL BE SUPPORTED BY A CORE RESOURCE TEACHER WHO WILL ASSIST YOUR CHILD. THESE SERVICES ARE OFFERED IN ENGLISH AND NOT IN FRENCH.

23. Questions and Comments
Team led by School Superintendent