The Toronto Public Library is offering FREE events in French for children ages 3-12 during March break. There is magic, music, science, theatre and workshops at branches across Toronto. Some events may require advance registration. Check for details here.  

Young readers and their families are invited to meet children’s author, Diya Lim, for a live bilingual Q&A on Wednesday, March 19 at 6 pm via Zoom. Ms Lim has written 22 children’s books in French and is nominated for the Peuplier award from the Ontario Library Association (Forest of Reading program) for her book, “Éli Labaki et les gouttes de pluie”. Register for the event here. 

This event is presented by Canadian Parents for French Ontario in partnership with the Ontario Library Association. More information about Diya Lim here, on Instagram @diyalimbook and in an interview on Radio-Canada here.  

In March, we are celebrating La Francophonie across Canada. Les Rendez-vous de la Francophonie offers all-ages resources, activities and contests. Info here.  Les Rendez-vous is a joint project of Francophone and bilingual organizations through Le Réseau Dialogue Network which supports and promotes dialogue and harmony in Canada.

March 20th is International Francophonie Day, proclaimed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the International Organization of La Francophone (OIF). This celebration recognizes “the potential of language and culture to unite people, to create spaces of solidarity and mutual understanding, to reflect together on our common future”. French is spoken by nearly 300 million people around the globe. Check it out here. Canada is a member of OIF and Ontario is an Observer. Info here. 

Looking for family friendly movies in French? Reel Canada offers a curated list of Canadian films in French and/or English and downloadable activity books for children here. Films are available through a variety of streaming services.

JK-grade 12 teachers can access ideas for National Canadian Film Day screenings and teaching resources in French and English here.  

Our national public broadcaster, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) and in French, Radio-Canada, provide many resources to help French language learners. For children and youth, Zone Jeunesse is a website with French videos, games and news (MAJ). Check it out here. For adults, Mauril is a FREE on-line learning app that uses authentic Canadian content from TV, documentaries, news and current affairs shows and podcasts. Check it out here  or find the app on Google Play and Apple App Store.

Our Ontario French public broadcaster, TFO, provides resources for students and their families and teachers:

Boukili TFO is an app that gives FREE access to hundreds of books, games and quizzes for ages 4 and up. Info here. 

Educational videos and games for ages 2-8 are at Mini TFO and for ages 9-12 at Flip TFO. IDÉLLO has resources which may be shared by teachers with students. Link to these resources via the TDSB Virtual Library here. 

Apprendre à la maison TFO has learning activities in French to use at home. They are aligned with the ON curriculum JK-grade 8 and are organized by grade and subject area. The resources are in French but helpful information for parents may be accessed in English.  Info here. 

The ‘Je l’savais’ video series for French language learners puts comedy together with some basic grammar points. The 3 minute videos were created by Improv group Improtéine from Ottawa in partnership with Canadian Parents for French BC & YK with financial support from the Govt of Canada. Check out this fun, free resource here.  

Toronto Area French Day Camps

 

Canadian Parents for French Midtown West Chapter
Location: Winchester PS, near Wellesley St E & Parliament
July 14 or 21 – ages 6-12 - drawing, creating, playing in French.

Info here. 

Camp Tournesol 
A variety of locations, dates and  themes – ages 4-16.

Info here.

Alliance Française 
Location : Alliance Française, near Spadina and Bloor 
Info here.  

FREE TDSB Summer School

Information for elementary summer programs coming soon here. 

Registration for secondary credits begins April 15 for e-learning and April 22 for in person learning. Information and course offerings in French are here.  

Québec Overnight French Camps

MWS Camp at McGill University
Info here.  

Camp Mère Clarac 
Info here. 

Camp Trois-Saumons
Info here. 

The Edmonton Oilers hosted kids from Make a Wish Canada on February 18, 2025. Watch out for Félix and his family who are from Moncton, New Brunswick on this video in English here. Félix did an interview in French with Radio-Canada about how it felt to meet his hero (and ours!) Connor McDavid. Watch it here.

For hockey fans learning French, check out the NHL site in French here and the PWHL site in French here. 

Please share this newsletter with other TDSB families whose children are learning French. The newsletter is produced by FSACAC volunteers in partnership with TDSB French program staff. The newsletter goes out once per term and we also send occasional time sensitive news about French events in Toronto. Please encourage friends, families and your school council to sign up to receive the newsletter here.   If you have ideas for us, send us an email at fsac.toronto@gmail.com

The French Student Achievement Community Advisory Committee (FSACAC) will be meeting on March 18, April 22, May 13 and June 10, 2025 from  6:30-8:30 pm. Parents/caregivers and community members are welcome. Meeting details are posted here.

Our mandate is to consult with and advise the Board on French program matters and contribute to the work of Trustees and staff. This partnership of Trustees, staff, parents/caregivers/guardians and community fosters equity, excellence and growth in French programs at the Board.

Have you thought about getting more involved at the TDSB? The French committee is a great opportunity to get to know more about the TDSB and to meet staff, Trustees and parents from across the city who are supporting French programs. Members are expected to attend about 8 meetings per school year. Interested? Send us an email at fsac.toronto@gmail.com. 

 

Have a great March break - cordialement,

Lynne Leblanc

FSACAC Parent Co-chair

5050 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario | M2N 5N8 CA

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