It's More Fun in French!

With summer holidays looming, you might be thinking about how to keep up the French during the weeks off. Well, how about signing your child up for some camps in French this summer? Ms. Mills shared this brochure from the Alliance Francaise which might have just what you need!

Also, check out the latest newsletter from FSLAC in which Lord Lansdowne's Franco-Fete was written up!

Don't forget that this website has a French resources page right here!

March break - what are you doing?

First of all, may we recommend that you get the weekend...or Friday...off to a great start by attending Fitness Fridays at 8am before school. Parents welcome to help and to work out!

Secondly, check out the latest newsletter from FSLAC (the TDSB's French as a Second Language Advisory Committee) which includes updates about French immersion and things to do in French during March break.


Thirdly, the Scholastic bilingual book fair is on this week in the library. Students can attend at recess so why not send them along with some money to spend to stock up on reading for March break? The school recommends having a bit of a chat with your child to ensure the money is well spent at the fair! Money spent at the fair benefits the school library.

Finally, make sure to celebrate St. Patrick's day on the 17th of March! Yes, yes, my roots are showing, I know! Toronto has its St. Patrick's day parade on Sunday, 13th March.

Report Cards coming this week! Useful information

You might find the information below about "progressing with difficulty" on report cards useful*:

“Progressing With Difficulty” in French Immersion

French immersion parents of students in Grades 1 through 6 will soon be receiving Elementary Progress Report Cards from their children's schools. These reports provide parents with an understanding of their child's learning skills and work habits, based on classroom teachers' observations during the first few months of school. They also give parents an indication of how well their child is progressing towards the achievement of Ontario's curriculum expectations in all subject areas. 

Reports indicating "Progressing With Difficulty" simply mean that some improvement is needed in order to meet the provincial standard in one or more subject areas. If this category is checked on your child's Progress Report Card, next steps for improvement will need to be planned to increase your child's opportunities for success.

DO:

• Request an interview with your child’s classroom teacher
• Collaborate with the teacher to set goals for improvement in one or more subject areas
• Decide upon strategies that will promote achievement of these goals
• Ensure that responsibilities for strategy implementation are shared by the teacher, you, and your child
• Arrange a follow-up meeting in 4 to 6 weeks to evaluate progress and plan additional support

DO NOT:

• Worry that you will be asked to withdraw your child from the French immersion program
• Assume that “Progressing With Difficulty” means that French immersion is not a good fit for your child
• Conclude that your child would have been more successful in the English-only program, as most academic/behavioural/social difficulties exist regardless of the language of instruction in the classroom

* Information provided by NANCY WISE, PH.D., FRENCH IMMERSION EDUCATIONAL CONSULTING INC. (nwise@frenchimmersionconsulting.com ) . This is not an endorsement of services provided by this company.

Latest newsletter from French as a Second Language Advisory Committee (FSLAC)

Click on over to our French Resources page to see the latest newsletter from FSLAC.