Minutes of the CPF Hamilton-Wentworth
Annual General Meeting 2002/2003

Thursday April 22, 2004

Total in attendance: 75
The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 7:15 p.m.

1. Welcome and Opening Remarks
Rosalind Minaji welcomed all parents, the 4 publisher's displays from Poster Pals, Scholars Choice, Turtle Pond and Usborne Books. She thanked the sponsors for the evening who were Fortinos, Room for Dessert Bakery and Cathedral Students who provided the refreshments.

CPF Video "Proud of Two Languages"
We watched an inspiring video produced by CPF. It outlined the many benefits of second language learning and used testimonials by former students to attest to the success of different programmes.

Presentation of CPF Hamilton-Wentworth Annual Report and Finances.
Rosalind showcased many of the projects that were completed by CPF Hamilton-Wentworth in the 2003-2004 year. The committee received an outreach grant that was used for a newspaper advertisement outlining the FI programme in Hamilton-Wentworth. The committee oversaw many activities over the year such as the concours d'art oratoire, a French story time at the Hamilton Public Library, parent information nights, two French book sales in May and November which raised money that helped produce a newsletter to all students, bilingual concerts for 1600 students, two Level One French courses in September and one Level Two course in February.

CPF Hamilton-Wentworth keeps in contact with the greater community through our website, our new bookmark advertising the site and 3000 copies of the newsletter that goes to students, teachers and trustees at both boards four times per year. Rosalind introduced and thanked the CPF Executive. Kaywana Gargarello moved that the Annual Report for CPF 2003-2004 be accepted. This motion was seconded by Frank Torelli.

Rosalind presented the Financial statement for the year 2003-2004. Susan McClure moved that the statement of finances be accepted. It was seconded by Carrie Crockett.

Upcoming events for CPF include a member's day on Sunday May 16th with magician Marc Tardiff. As well, CPF has arranged for the Staircase Theater on Dundurn Street to show French versions of Brother Bear and the Triplets of Belleville on June 6th.

Westdale: French Immersion Programme
Anne Klaus came from Westdale to speak about the immersion programme. She introduced teachers Nadine Morrison, Carmen Quaglia, Anne-Marie Wilson and Graham Timms who currently teach at Westdale. There was a brief history of the FI programme in Hamilton-Wentworth.

There are 280 students in this small but strong group of whose primary focus is to be functionally bilingual at graduation. Mrs. Klaus also reviewed the options for students throughout their four years as well.

Abbey Neilson gave a student testimonial of the programme and staff offered their perspectives as well. This programme allows for exchanges to France, email exchanges and studies in Ottawa, Hull, Laval and McMaster.

There is also to be a French Immersion pot luck supper for parents to network with others. The date is Thursday May 13th from 5:30 to 8:30. The contact information is 905-522-1387 or westdalefrenchimmersion@hotmal.com

French Immersion - My experience by Ian Thompson, Trustee HWDSB
Ian Thompson is a graduate of the Hamilton-Wentworth French Immersion programme. He discussed many of the advantages to this form of education. Some of these included the ability to travel, work and understand other related languages as well. He stresses how very important the FI programme is.

Importance of Bilingualism in Canada - Lorraine Hamilton
Lorraine began her presentation with some information about our community and the need for a French speaking school and church in 1949. As the community developed, ACFO assisted in the creation of medical clinics, early childhood education centres, care of the elderly and immigrants. ACFO helps to protect the right of francophones in our community. Currently there are 3 employment centres, 2 high schools and soon to come, a French centre that would include a community centre and medical clinics.

ACFO hosts a yearly event called ARTFO that promotes music and songs in the French community. In the current community there are 46.000 French speakers either through mother tongue, learned French, or are new immigrants from French speaking African counties. Many of these immigrants have a high expectation of bilingualism when they arrive in Canada. Therefore, protection of rights is a major focus for ACFO as they ensure provincial services to the community in their mother tongue of French.

Summer Student Exchange Programme. - Rachel Pound
Rachel presented a summer work programme for 16-17 year old students who travel to Quebec or New Brunswick for 6 weeks in a French speaking community. This programme is free and funded by the federal government. This programme has many long lasting benefits for a student's resume, employers and admission communities. This programme is a direct exchange where the student would work with a non-profit organization from 9 to 5 (and be paid). On the weekends a co-ordinator plans a variety of activities and cultural events.

Besides students, people may be directly involved by being a host family for the exchange or by being an employer if they belong to a non-profit organization.

Cathedral: French Immersion Programme
John Pusztay, the head of Languages from Cathedral High School spoke about the immersion programme. He introduced teacher Mme Dimuzio and vice -principal Mrs. Hubbard who are currently at Cathedral. There was a brief history of the FI programme in Cathedral High School and a reminder about their 75th anniversary this year. There are four subjects taught in French that include French, history/geography, drama and religion.

As well, Cathedral offers school trips and experiences to galleries, cultural events, theatre, restaurants and places of interest. Larger trips include travelling to Toronto, Ottawa-Hull, Montreal, Quebec city and France. The FI students at Cathedral are active participants in many aspects of the school community. Many of them receive scholarships, awards, honours and citations.

Mr. Pusztay shared with us a student-made video on the climate and learning environment at Cathedral. As well, Courtney Kinkowski and Emil Hamilton, two Grade Eleven FI students from Cathedral, shared their testimonial with us in French.

Door Prizes and Wrap up