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FSLAC Newsletter June 2021
In this issue:
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1. Greetings from the FSLACThe parents/guardians/caregivers who volunteer on the FSLAC thank TDSB staff and Trustees for their enormous efforts over the past year. We particularly want to thank our French teachers for providing support and encouragement to our kids and to us, the at-home facilitators for virtual or remote learning in French, a language we don’t necessarily speak. We have all been through many things – big and small – this past year. There is a new feeling in the air, filled with promise of a better summer. And with that feeling, a hope that we can return to our schools in September with renewed energy to catch up and move forward in both Official Languages.
Wishing everyone a good, healthy summer!
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2. Summer Well-Being GuideAre you wondering how to support family well-being over the summer? Are you looking for ideas on keeping children active, healthy and happy? Check out this Summer Well-Being Guide which was created by our TDSB Professional Support Services psychologists, social workers, audiologists and speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.
More resources are available on their webpage here. There are links to other resource websites and approved learning apps. While the apps might be in English, they can build skills that will help with learning whether that learning is in French, English and other home languages.
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3. Late Applications for SKFI EntryOn-line registration for entry to Early French Immersion in SK in September 2021 is closed. However, if a class has space, late applications may be accepted until the end of the first term on December 17, 2021. Interested families should get in touch with the Early French Immersion school(s). Locations are searchable here.
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4. Late Applications for MFI EntryIn September 2021, the new Middle French Immersion (MFI) program will welcome more than 800 grade 4 students at 40 schools across the city. Registration took place for the MFI program in January 2021. If a class still has space, late applications may be accepted until September 30, 2021. Interested families should get in touch with the MFI school(s). Locations are searchable here.
The new MFI program offers 100% French in grades 4-5 and 75% French in grades 6-8. MFI students will merge with Early French Immersion students in grade 9.
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5. Late Applications for Grade 6, 7 EntryRegistration took place in January 2021 for entry September 2021 to the Grade 7 Extended French program and the Cosburn Grade 6 intensive French program. Space permitting, late applications may be accepted until September 30, 2021. To inquire, interested families should contact those schools directly. Location information here.
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6. Update: Phasing Out Extended French
Extended French programs and the intensive French program at Cosburn are being phased out. The last grade 4 entry class for Extended French was in September 2020 and as the Extended French program is phasing out, the new Middle French Immersion program is phasing in. The last grade 6 entry class for Cosburn intensive French will be in September 2021.The last grade 7 entry class for Extended French will be in September 2022. Hawthorne II Bilingual Alternative students will continue to the pathway for the Extended program until 2023. As of 2024, Hawthorne II Bilingual Alternative students will continue in Core French in grade 7.
Late entry French (grade 6 or 7) programs are legacy programs from the old Toronto and Scarborough Boards of Education prior to amalgamation in 1999. Hawthorne II Bilingual is an Alternative School program.
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7. Born in 2017 or 2018? Early French Immersion Registration is in November 2021!For children born in 2017 and 2018, on-line registration for Early French Immersion will be in November 2021. This will be for the unique ‘double cohort year’ that will have both JK and SK starting Early French Immersion in September 2022. In the early fall, details will be posted here. Please share this important news with friends, relatives and community members who have children born in 2017 and 2018.
All eligible on-time applicants will be offered a placement in a French Immersion program, however placement in a particular school in not guaranteed. In addition to the 70 schools which currently offer the Early French Immersion program, 4 schools are going to be added in underserved areas in September 2022 to improve equity of access.
As of September 2023, the ONLY entry point for Early French Immersion will be JK.
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8. E-books in FrenchLooking for FREE e-books in French for summer reading?
The Centre de la francophonie des Amériques offers FREE memberships in their organization and that gives you full access to their virtual French library, Bibliothèque des Amériques. Information here.
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9. Toronto Radio in French
Keep those French listening skills going over the summer by putting on the radio! ICI Radio Canada is on AM radio at 860 and FM radio at 90.3. Station CHOQ FM is at 105.1.
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10. Summer French Programs in TorontoCity of Toronto Camp TO Plus is offering French day camps for ages 6-12. Go here and put ‘French’ in the advanced search to find locations.
The Alliance Française is offering summer workshops for ages 5+. Info here.
Camp Tournesol is offering in person day camp in North York, the Danforth and Bloor West Village as well as a virtual camp. Info here.
Note that demand is high and space is limited, particularly this summer!
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11. Summer Wonder TPL
Toronto Public Library(TPL)’s Summer Wonder celebrates learning through fun all summer long. Visit your local library between June 14th to September 4th to pick up your bilingual Club de lecture d’été TD / TD Summer Reading Club notebook and stickers. Participate in the French Reading Challenge or take part in a French event on the TPL YouTube channel. Families can borrow a Summer Wonder or TD Summer Reading Club Recommended Reads grab & go bag filled with fun books to read or take a stroll through a bilingual StoryWalk (at select locations). Visit TPL Summer Wonder to learn about all programs and activities, including the French ones.
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12. John Fisher PART
The Program Area Review Team (PART) for Eglinton JPS, John Fisher JPS and Bannockburn is recommending that John Fisher become a dual track (French Immersion and English) starting in September 2022. John Fisher has been a single track French Immersion school since the 1980s. Bannockburn, which is currently leased to a private school, is going to be re-opened as a TDSB single track French Immersion school in 2023. The current catchment for John Fisher French Immersion is going to be split between John Fisher and Bannockburn and the new French Immersion catchment may also include other nearby English schools. A new English catchment will be created for John Fisher.
FSLAC parent members attended the PART meetings. In the final report, which goes to Trustees on June 23, 2021, the FSLAC raises concerns that the proposed solution does not allow for growth in the French Immersion program and continues to assign students from high rises in the Yonge-Eglinton area to Early French Immersion programs at Dunlace and Winchester. Further information about the recommendation and how to provide feedback to Trustees by 4 pm on Monday, June 21, 2021 is here.
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13. FSLAC Update
The FSLAC held its annual general meeting on June 8, 2021. Lynne Leblanc, parent co-chair and Sharlene Henry, Charles Zhu and Lisa McAvoy, parent vice-co-chairs, were re-elected to their roles for the 2021-22 school year.
Wilmar Kortleever was recognized for his outstanding contributions as a parent volunteer on the FSLAC for nine years. Wilmar’s son is graduating from the TDSB which means that Wilmar has to ‘retire’ as a parent volunteer. Congratulations to the Burt-Kortleever family and best wishes to Wilmar!
The FSLAC will be meeting on September 14, October 12 and November 9, 2021. All are welcome to attend. Details will be posted here: www.tdsb.on.ca/fslac
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14. Build this List!
Help us share TDSB French news and tips with families and school/parent councils by forwarding this newsletter. Ask your school/parent council to sign up! To join our email distribution list, use the signup link at the bottom of this email or this link here or go to our TDSB webpage www.tdsb.on.ca/fslac and click on the orange button. It just takes a minute to get connected and start receiving this once/term newsletter and occasional breaking news.
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