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FSLAC Newsletter March 2022
In this issue:
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1. New French eBooks TDSB Virtual LibraryCrabtree French is a new addition to the TDSB Virtual Library. Discover 40+ French eBooks about plants, animals, emotions, senses, seasons, and more! Check it out here under the subheading ‘Lire’.
All TDSB students and staff can access the resources in the Virtual Library using their TDSB credentials. If you need help, ask your classroom teacher or your school’s teacher-librarian.
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2. March 10th Youth Leadership ProgramCanadian Parents for French Ontario is offering a Youth Leadership Training Program for high school students! The orientation session is on March 10, 2022 from 6-7pm and then students can complete their volunteer community hours supporting young FSL students. With mentoring by teacher candidates from York University and Nipissing University, the high school students will volunteer weekly in a French tutoring/reading buddies program which will be offered this Spring. This is an excellent opportunity for high school students to develop their leadership skills and gain valuable experience in French. For more information, email rnazareth@on.cpf.ca Students can register directly here.
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3. March Break Fun - Ages 6-12Toronto Public Library is offering 2 free virtual performances in French for ages 6-12 during March break. Participants must register in advance. Voyage Africain is on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at 1 pm. Click here. Tour de France avec Touralingo is on Thursday, March 17, 2022 at 11 am. Click here.
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4. Workshops for Teens: Brain BoostingFree Brain Boosting Workshops for teens are back! On March 26, April 23 and May 28, 2022, workshops are being offered to help teens with bringing their French skills to post-secondary and to work. Also on April 23, there will be a workshop for parents and family members on how to support your child during their first year of university. The workshops are free of charge. For more information and to register, click here.
Workshops are sponsored by Canadian Parents for French, York University Glendon College with support from the Ontario Ministry of Education.
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5. Concours d'Art OratoireCanadian Parents for French Ontario’s annual Concours d’art oratoire is virtual this year. Students in grades 11 and 12 Core, Extended and Immersion French are invited to submit their videoed French speeches until April 8, 2022. Registration form here. First place prizes in Ontario include scholarships for Collège Boréal, University of Ottawa or York University Glendon Campus worth up to $4 000! Ontario winners move on to the national competition in June where scholarship prizes are worth up to $26 000! Concours information and rules for Grade 11 and 12 students are here.
Students in grades 4-12 can participate in Concours d’art Oratoire as a class activity in the traditional and/or Impromptu formats. Resources for teachers are here.
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6. Tweet Out!
Seen on Twitter recently:
@CRMarchantMS on Feb 24: Nous parlons français! Une semaine dans la vie de…
@tdsb_LeasideHS on Feb 28: First Day of new program: LHS Languages Month - a new annual event, celebrating the multi-lingual education programs, highlighting Extended and Immersion programming, starting tomorrow! Looking forward to numerous events throughout March.
@MlleMccormack00 on Feb 17: A few books I have read to my gr 4 MFI class this week & would highly recommend. #tdsbfsl
@CPFNational on March 2: We welcome language to explicitly recognize within the Preamble of the (Official Languages) Act, the Government of Canada’s commitment to enhance opportunities for all to learn both English and French.
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7. Spotted on Facebook!Find tons of resources and exciting French as Second Language information on Facebook:
TDSB’s own Monsieur Steve:Learn French For Kids & Beginners: https://www.facebook.com/groups/823376204870573/
French Immersion & Extended @ Leaside High School: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4786534627/
Canadian Parents for French Ontario – CPF Ontario: https://www.facebook.com/CPFontario/
Ontario Modern Language Teachers' Association – OMLTA: https://www.facebook.com/omlta/
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8. Tandem Virtual ExchangesTandem is a language exchange experience that connects classes of students across Canada who are learning French or English as their Second Official Language. For example, a class of Core, Extended or Immersion French is partnered with a class of Francophone students who are learning English as a second language. The students work together on the Tandem platform doing activities created by their teachers. The focus is on authentic, real-life communication. Check it out here and help spread the word about this accessible and virtual way to do a language exchange with Francophones!
Tandem is a project of Laval University (Université Laval) in Quebec City and is funded by the federal government through the Official Languages in Education Program.
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9. Camerise FSL Hub
Camerise is a user-centred digital platform that will support collaboration of French as a Second Language students, educators, administrators, families and stakeholder organizations. The goal is to address systemic challenges and find solutions that will facilitate access to FSL programs across the country and help nurture Canadian bilingualism. Check out FSL resources on the website here and follow this exciting, new hub for events and discussions on Twitter @camerisefslhub and Facebook @cameriseFSL .
Camerise is a bilingual project of York University’s Glendon Campus and is supported by a grant from the federal government and the Ontario Ministry of Education.
Fun fact: camerise is French for haskap berry. It tastes like a tangy blueberry and it thrives in boreal climates. Camerise is cultivated across Canada just like French as a Second Language!
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10. Summer Plans?
Between the weather and Covid, summer still seems a long way off. Many of the usual sources for summer fun in French in Toronto and beyond are not updated yet. Others are ready to go. Be sure to check the details and dates carefully!
TDSB summer programs and summer school information for elementary and secondary is starting to be posted. Elementary summer school is offering French immersion. Click here.
French Street is an online searchable database that has listings of camps, exchanges and activities that take place in French and welcome French language learners across Canada. Click here.
Explore is a residential summer French course that is offered at university and college campuses across Canada for ages 13+. Application deadline is May 31, 2022. Costs are subsidized by the federal government. Click here.
YMCA Summer Work Student Exchange is for 16 and 17 year olds. Over 6 weeks in the summer, these high school students travel to another community in Canada to live and do paid work in French or English if their first language is French. For more information, click here.
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11. Right to Read
On February 28, 2022 the Ontario Human Rights Commission released its findings on “Right to Read” and called for “critical changes to Ontario’s approach to early reading”. Recommendations include adopting new curriculum and “screening every student, at least twice a year from Kindergarten to Grade 2 to identify students at risk for reading difficulties, using standardized, evidence-based screening tools”.
Under the heading “Barrier for students learning in French”, the Commission stated that “all students can learn French given the appropriate supports” and that “early scientifically validated screening and evidence-based interventions should equally be implemented within French-language instruction”. For the full report, backgrounders and video links, click here. TDSB staff are reviewing the report and will respond in the months ahead.
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12. Encore Again Encore
Help us share TDSB French news and tips by sharing this newsletter with your network of TDSB parents and caregivers! If your school council is not receiving and sharing this newsletter, please encourage it to sign up. To join our distribution list, use the sign-up link at the bottom of this email, this link or go to our TDSB webpage: www.tdsb.on.ca/fslac . It just takes a minute to get connected and start receiving our once/term newsletter and occasional breaking news. If you have news or tips to share with us for future newsletters, send them to fslactoronto@gmail.com .
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13. Rendez-vous!
Are you a parent/caregiver who is interested in Core, Extended and Immersion French programs? The FSLAC is seeking new parent/guardian members and alternates. Interested? Email us at fslactoronto@gmail.com.
Our meetings are on Zoom and all are welcome. Upcoming meetings: March 10, April 12, May 10 and June 7, 2022. Meetings start at 7 pm. The link and the agenda will be posted here: www.tdsb.on.ca/fslac
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