Drayton Valley French Education Initiative

Sadly, it was announced that we did not have the numbers to support a French Immersion program in Drayton Valley at this time. Thank you to everyone who supported it and who registered. Perhaps in a few years we can try again. Merci beaucoup.

See available French summer camps here!

CPF National has completed their 2018 summer camp listings. See them with this link:https://cpf.ca/en/files/CPF_2018_SummerCampsListings_v8_FINAL.pdf
For more French Summer Camps in Alberta, check out our website at: https://ab.cpf.ca/actvities/youth-activities/camps-and-summer-programs/

We’ve heard the April 13th deadline is still standing at Eldorado. Spread the word, especially to parents at DCS, Aurora, St. A’s etc. We still need a few more registrations to make it happen! The school opens again on April 9th.

Make sure you have dropped off your child’s registration for French Immersion at Eldorado office by MARCH 28th. That is the deadline. The division will use those registration numbers to decide to proceed or not. I know of several who already have- keep encouraging parents of other kids who will be in grade 1 next year! We can have French Immersion if we show the numbers!

Great News!!!! We reached our goal and showed there is enough interest to pursue a French Immersion program starting with grade one in Drayton Valley next year! WOOHOO!! According to their information, the next step is taking it to the board (to be discussed next week) then registration and looking for a hire. Not done, but a HUGE step and all because you spoke up and said you wanted more options for our kids! Thanks everyone! Spread the great news!

TOMORROW IS THE DEADLINE In case you missed it (I just heard about it myself), fill in your information at the link provided to help bring a French immersion program to Drayton Valley!

Drayton Valley parents, we are looking at interest in starting a French Immersion program in Drayton Valley. If you have a child starting grade 1 next year and are interested in this possibility, please fill out the form at https://goo.gl/TMKBQp. If there is enough interest, we will begin taking registrations and begin recruitment of staff.

It’s time to show your interest!!! Feb 14th, is the deadline! Let’s talk French DV!

Great news - please share this to get Grade 1 Parents expressing their interest for the 2018-2019 academic year!

Drayton Valley parents, we are looking at interest in starting a French Immersion program in Drayton Valley. If you have a child starting grade 1 next year and are interested in this possibility, please fill out the form at https://goo.gl/TMKBQp. If there is enough interest, we will begin taking registrations and begin recruitment of staff.

Today’s article in the Edmonton Journal.
“A French immersion graduate, Rogers Haughian said it gave her tremendous work and travel opportunities.

‘I think it’s important that everybody has the opportunity to learn both of Canada’s official languages’ she said.”

We are looking for 4 dedicated team members willing to serve on our parental committee to see the Drayton Valley French Education Initiative succeed! Will you consider joining us? If so, please comment or pm us! Thank you!

YES! YOU CAN HELP!!!

An informative read to go with your morning coffee☕️ this weekend.

Information and Inspiration for Parents of French Immersion Students-
https://education.alberta.ca/media/563591/yesyoucanhelp.pdf

education.alberta.ca

Now that everyone’s summer holidays are done and we’ve all settled back into school, let’s get this party started! We’ll be reaching out to those who are part of DVFE parent committee. If you aren’t a part of the committee and wish to be, please send us a message.

Canadian Parents for French Alberta

This is great!

A great tongue-in-cheek article about French Immersion from an Anglophone parent's perspective!

Timeline Photos

Canadian Parents for French

With more snow in the forecast (boo!) you might find an inside moment to check this out this weekend. Enjoy!

TOP 30 SHORT FILMS to watch with your young french learners this weekend! :D

http://bit.ly/2otGCN4

Study: Bilingual Children are Better at Switching Between Tasks

It's true!

parenting.com Time to add another reason why raising a bilingual child is beneficial: Science Daily reports a Canadian study found that bilingual children switch tasks faster than children who speak only one language.  

Canadian Parents for French Alberta

Summer day camps for preschool (3-5) and school aged (5-10) French immersion opportunities. See page 6. Located in Airdrie.

Check out the 2017 CPF summer camps being offered! Find those taking place in Alberta on page 6!

An update went out to all on the DVFE contact list. If you didn't receive it, send us your contact information and we'll make sure you get future updates first!

In case you missed it, here are are the highlights:

-We had a great turn out at the community registration night and received many letters in support of a program. If you haven't yet submitted your letter​​, I strongly encourage you to write it and either contact us to pick it up, drop it off, or take a photo/scan of it and send it to us via this email. We hope to get all letters in by April 19th.

-We also now have a location! According to the Superintendent's report to the board, the program would be hosted at Eldorado school with a possible grade 1 start in September 2018/19. This is good news as we fully agree that we can be bettered prepared for success with a less rushed process. Also, the grade 1 start removes the concern of FT vs PT and any associated kindergarten fees that some have expressed concerns about.

-If we want a French immersion option in Drayton Valley, we need to be flexible. They are willing to bring it in and we have to be willing to take it! It may not be your first choice of location or grade but it's a start! Let's show them we want it by enrolling. Message or email us today to let us know if you plan on enrolling a child in grade 1 French Immersion at Eldorado in September 2018. We'll need the numbers to show we have enough interest to get the program running.

-We'd love to hear from you! If you are wanting to enroll, let us know. If there is some barrier in the way, let us know. If you know of someone who would be good for us to contact, let us know. If you think there is someone who doesn't know about this yet, let THEM know! You get the idea, LOL!

Again, If nothing else, please reply to us here at [email protected] and tell us if you are or are not planning to enroll in the grade 1 French immersion at Eldorado in September 2018. We'd like to be able to tell them numbers with their new plan.

Thanks and we can't wait to talk to you!

Drayton Valley French Education
(780) 898-5571
[email protected]

"Because ALL doors should be open to ALL children."

Canadian Parents for French Alberta

Local and true!

Check out the Global Edmonton Family Matters story on the Benefits of Learning a 2nd Language! http://globalnews.ca/edmonton/program/global-news-at-5-edmonton

Don't forget! We'll see you tonight at the Community Registration Night at the Omniplex from 6-8pm. We will have premade letters to sign and a letter writing station if you'd like to write your own! Super important we present as many as possible to the Wild Rose School Division. If you'd like to just drop off your letter that you already made, that'd be great too! AND we will have a draw for a mystery gift and a sign up spot for more information. See you there!

Drayton Valley French Education Initiative

Hear directly from Edmonton, Alberta kids in the program here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB1i_yk3zpo

With all the transition happening at Wild Rose Public Schools in Drayton Valley currently, we need to understand that they may not be able to offer a program this fall. However the possibility for a Grade 1 start in September 2018 has come up in discussions. Most programs actually start in grade 1 as Kindergarten is not mandatory nor is there issues of part time vs full time or fees. So even if you aren't able to enroll a child this fall, keep it in mind and help all of us have this program available for our kids.

See you Wednesday at the community registration night from 6-8pm!

Hear directly from Edmonton, Alberta kids in the program here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB1i_yk3zpo

With all the transition happening at Wild Rose Public Schools in Drayton Valley currently, we need to understand that they may not be able to offer a program this fall. However the possibility for a Grade 1 start in September 2018 has come up in discussions. Most programs actually start in grade 1 as Kindergarten is not mandatory nor is there issues of part time vs full time or fees. So even if you aren't able to enroll a child this fall, keep it in mind and help all of us have this program available for our kids.

See you Wednesday at the community registration night from 6-8pm!

Canadian Parents for French

Just like everything else. The ups and downs...

“I DON’T WANT TO!” THE HARDEST MOMENT WHEN RAISING A BILINGUAL KID

The reward is amazing but the journey to getting there can often be tough! Here's some helpful advice to keep young learners motivated: http://bit.ly/2n1CWRH

Canadian Parents for French Alberta

A great interview done by Radio-Canada highlighting the importance of French immersion in Canada!

Click this link to be notified of important information about French immersion in Drayton Valley and/or to be immediately notified when enrollment opens for French immersion kindergarten THIS fall.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZKQVTKV

Common Parent Question: Can my child really learn math and science in their second language?
Reviews of research studies found that immersion students met or exceeded English program students’ performance in mathematics and science. Province-wide assessments in three Canadian provinces* found that at grades 6, 8, and 10, respectively, immersion students did as well as or achieved at a significantly HIGHER LEVEL than those in the regular program. (Bournot-Trites & Tellowitz, 2002; British Columbia Ministry of Education, 2000; Dube & MacFarlane, 1999; New Brunswick Department of Education, 2000; Turnbull, Hart & Lapkin, 2000.)

Common Parent Question: What are the learning benefits of being bilingual?

Mental Flexibility
Bilinguals are better able to analyze their knowledge of language. They learn that there are at least two ways of saying the same thing and understand the relationship between words and their meaning. They are able to focus more on meaning and take into account only relevant features when there is distracting information. Bilinguals demonstrate more mental flexibility and perform better on tasks requiring mental manipulation. They are original in verbal expression, demonstrate non-verbal intelligence and can answer open-ended questions more freely than monolinguals (Lazaruk, in press).

Increased sensitivity to others; heightened awareness, receptivity and appreciation of language.
Students with two well-developed languages are more sensitive to communication. There is some evidence to suggest that they are better able to understand the needs of others and to respond appropriately. Through exposure to cultural differences they may become more respectful of differences between people and their cultures and may be able to communicate with a large variety of people (Lazaruk, in press).

Common Parent Question: Will a French immersion education affect my child’s English-language skills?
Students can add a second language at no cost to their first language competence (additive bilingualism) because languages are interdependent. Skills developed in the second language are available for learning and using in the first language and vice versa.

Research has shown that “the effect of learning a second language on [English] skills has been positive in all studies done.... [and] the loss of instructional time in English has never been shown to have negative effects on the achievement of the first language.” (Bournot-Trites & Tellowitz, 2002) In fact, immersion students match and OFTEN SURPASS English program students’ performance by Grade 4 or 5. (Turnbull, Hart & Lapkin, 2000)

French Immersion IS coming. Show you support by submitting your letter to Drayton Valley French Education Initiative. See the page for how. Without letters, they won't know we want it, so help make this happen for kids today, tomorrow, and in years to come!

CALL FOR LETTERS! If you do ONE thing to make this happen, make it THIS! Remember, this is how we are going to bring this to Drayton for our kids and our families today, tomorrow and years to come. Share and spread the word to ANYONE who is interested. The more letters we have, the greater we show the Wild Rose School Division that we want this for our kids. Please have all letters in by April 6, 2017. SIGNATURES are required please.

We are including the links to Google Docs (online word program) where you can see these documents and edit them to fill in your own (You will have to click FILE --> MAKE A COPY to edit).

SAMPLE LETTER: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wdSwwsNqI0Rwjv8F-MuSvfSRFP87o9FbtneeQjBsPUQ/edit?usp=sharing

LETTER FORMAT (for you to insert and make your own- remember to MAKE A COPY);
https://docs.google.com/document/d/16tBJabVPVZT6qJZ58ahMkOitta2nXedpTNQ0QXN9Osg/edit

Of course, you can also just create your own and submitted in any of the following ways:
Hardcopy printed letter:
•Drop off at the community registration night April 5 from 6-8pm at our booth.
•Contact 780-898-5571 to arrange for an alternative drop off in town

Send it digital
•Create in a Google Doc and share with [email protected]
•Email it to [email protected]
•Print off, sign, and scan it. Then email to [email protected]

Another common question from parents: How does immersion differ from other types of language instruction?

In traditional "French option" classes, the French is the SUBJECT OF instruction. Immersion programs use the French language FOR instruction AND as a means of communication. This real life communication allows students to learn French in a similar manner to the way that they have learned their first language, by ACQUIRING the language instead of just learning it. By having a French Immersion program in an English speaking school, Drayton Valley students will have the benefit of French language and instruction in class, English on the playground and whole school activities (announcements, assemblies, presentations, etc.). Best of both worlds!

Mothers want French Immersion

Check it out! We are interviewed in The Drayton Valley Western Review this week.

At the time of the interview, we were hoping to collect letters from community members prior to the March 21 WRSD board meeting, but we will instead be collecting letters starting now until we have enough to make a meaningful impact. Also, as far as we are aware, French Immersion interest is not on this month's board agenda at the moment. However, we will also be attending the April 5th Community Registration Night at the Omniplex, so come visit and we will help you print a letter then & there to sign.

What would help you with your letter? We want to avoid cookie-cutter copy+paste letters, as they don't have as much weight as meaningful individual letters. Please reach out to us through this page or at [email protected].

Remember, even if you don't have a child that could enroll in the first year or two, we still definitely want to still hear from you!

draytonvalleywesternreview.com Three local mothers started a group to possibly help bring a French-immersion school in Drayton Valley. Rachelle Gagnon MacKinnon, Helen Scammell, and Darleina Kelln are working together and are trying to see if there is enough interest in the community to have a French-immersion school in town.

Common Parent Question: How can I help my child in French Immersion if I can't speak French? Did you know that 80-90% of parents of students in French Immersion in Alberta DON'T Speak French at home? It's true!

Canadian Parent's For French has this to say...

French Immersion teachers know that most parents don’t understand the French language. Indeed, immersion programs were designed specifically for children of unilingual parents. You can help make your child’s French language experience positive and lasting by being supportive and enthusiastic. Research shows that students whose parents have positive attitudes towards the French language do better in immersion programs. Remember that most skills learned in the first language are transferred to the second. Read to your children in English, encourage English writing, and introduce English-language word games like crossword puzzles, word searches, Scrabble and Password. Provide opportunities to use the French language outside of the classroom: borrow or buy books and videos, watch French language TV with your child, and expose your child to French language events and activities like plays, interest courses, and sport activities.

Thank you to all who took the time to fill out the survey. Given the responses, the most efficient way to meet with you will be at the community registration night on April 5th from 6-8pm. We will be on hand and have a spot where you can fill out a letter of interest to the WRSD Board right there. We will also post a letter on here as a sample if you wish to write one ahead of time and then you can either drop it off to us at the registration night or pm us and we'll work out another arrangement. We are so excited as this IS going to happen in DV with you're help! See you then!

Canadian Parents for French Alberta

A colourful poster to help children express their emotions in French!

Remember: showing up and showing we are serious is how we are going to get this program running! An hour meeting paves the way for a lifetime of French learning for your kids. Let us know when works best for you to meet up to learn more about French Immersion in DV. Click on this link to tell us what time you prefer. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DJ9C9VC