Minutes of the Hamilton-Wentworth Executive
February 2, 2005

Members: Roz Minaji, Deborah Doody, Kaywana Gargarello, Dianne Mackenzie, Susan McClure, Marie Patenaude

Regrets: Tracey Cseresnyes, Carrie Crockett, Ron English, Frank Torelli

The Chair called the meeting to order.

1. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES

Review of minutes
The minutes of January 6, 2005 were approved.

2. UPDATES

Volunteer Hours: 112

Treasurer's Report
As of February 2, 2005

Opening Balance January 6th, 2005 3,473.31


Total Revenues January 0.00

Expenses
The Hamilton Spectator #64 Jan-05 1,444.20
D. Mackenzie #65 newletter Jan-05 646.50

Total Expenses January 2,090.70

Balance as of February 2, 2005 1,382.61

** In addition, in our savings accounts is $250.00 a SEVEC Donation

Communications:

Helping your child become bilingual - Brochure
CPF brochure will be available to parents for the Senior Kindergarten Information Meetings. Display board and literature on CPF, including newsletter, bookmarks and 'You and CPF" brochures are available for parents. Thanks to Dianne for her fantastic work on these brochures.

Hamilton Spectator Ads
Funding received for advertisement supporting French Immersion. Ad promoting French Immersion, and Senior Kindergarten Information sessions. Ad will appear again on Feb. 02 05, and Feb. 16 05.

Community Information Booth
Norwood Park will promote French Immersion at Limeridge Mall -February 3-5. This is the third year Norwood Park has offered this as a promotional venue for French Immersion. CPF information and information on Norwood Park is available at the booth. Regrettably, due to insurance liability, only parents associated with Norwood Park can volunteer.

Mountain Plaza Mall
Norwood Park has booked one day in March 2005 for a community information booth at this mall.

3. CHAPTER UPDATES

French Immersion - High School Grade 9 Presentations
Cathedral Secondary School promoting French Immersion, anticipated enrollment for Grade 9, two classes in September 2005.

Westdale: Roz attended Grade 9 Information Session. Provided overview of CPF, and upcoming events, including SEVEC.

Concours
February 17, 2005 school competition at Norwood Park. Finalists to participate in inter-school competition at Dalewood Middle School on March 24, 2005. Judges include, William Hanley and Claudette Sims. Kids participating will be encouraged to go to Provincial competition on May 14, 2005.

Catholic Board's Concours Inter-school competition takes place on February 16, 2005, inclusion of three schools. Parents invited to presentation of speeches.

Marie shared with members that Committee has established rules & regulations for Inter-school Concours. More Core French involvement this year. FI representation from Ryerson, Dalewood, GR Allan & Norwood Park. Core French involvement from: Green Acres, Dalewood, Dundas Centre and GR Allan.

SEVEC
Deborah provided members with overview and update on SEVEC. Several home interviews have taken place, Deborah attended many of these with Deni Cavangh.

Job Description for Monitor position has been posted at Mohawk College and McMaster University. Anticipate hire of Monitor by end of month.

Discussion on proposed budget for SEVEC. To be reviewed, as monies allocated for Deni Cavangh within budget are $5,000. As he will not be the coordinator, nor be going to Quebec with this exchange, Deborah and Roz will meet and discuss avenue to proceed. Currently Deni has applications and cheques from all participants.

Discussion on pursuing Trillium Grant, Deborah will follow-up with contact and advise. Currently we are not approved by SEVEC National until the end of March. CPF will hire monitors. Request assistance of Marie Patenaude for interview process. Also needing further exploration is the use of a school/recreation facility in the event of a rain date. Contingency plan to be developed. Kaywana will explore gym availability at Cathedral.

Deborah shared with group follow-up from four Hamilton students that had participated in SEVEC exchange last year. All enjoyed the event. Deborah has been visited schools promoting SEVEC. Susan contacted Dalewood, and Katherine Yantzi will be coordinating date for visit. Susan will take SEVEC brochures and forward to Westdale for promotion of Grade 9 students with Mme. Klaus.

Items for Follow-up:
1. Hire Coordinator
2. Target 46 students
3. Identify school base
4. Promote and include Francophone Community
5. Identify office space for 2 monitors

Étienne Concerts
February 23, 2005 at Mohawk College
1 - 2 p.m.

February 24, 2005 at Bishop Ryan High School
10 - 11 a.m. & 1 - 2 p.m.

Volunteers: Deborah, Tracey, Diane, Kaywana and Susan.

Kaywana will attain bus information on parking for Bishop Ryan High School and forward to Roz.

French Course - Level I & II
Roz identified that current registrations are minimal. If 15 participants not received, courses will be
cancelled.

3. CHAPTER EVENTS

Member Appreciation
Follow-up with Carrie on performer for St. Jean picnic at Pier 4 Park.

AGM
Annual Report will be mailed out to all members this year and a French Trade Show will take place instead of a Parent Information Night. The French Trade Show will be hosted jointly with the School Council of Norwood Park during the first week of June. The evening will also include Norwood Home and School's book fair and barbeque. The object of the Trade Show will be to promote French activities available outside of school, and will include booths from community organizations, stores and services.

Summer Camp Planning
Roz and Kaywana are meeting with Lisa Breton on February 9, 2005 to continue dialogue and will provide feedback to members.

Public School Board Issues
Roz shared with members that the Board is reviewing their policy on Transportation. The next meeting takes place on Tuesday March 8 at 7:30 p.m. This meeting will be the one at which the Committee members decide whether to consider bussing for French Immersion separately from bussing for Programs of Choice. Roz will prepare a written submission on behalf of CPF.
The Hamilton Wentworth Public School Board has some further information about the Transportation Review posted on their web site. Parents can visit the link below to access these materials.
http://www.hwdsb.on.ca/about_us/policies/review/index.aspx

Separate School Board Issues
St. Peter's & Paul has been identified as the feeder school for Cathedral High School. This should result in better French Immersion participation.

Film Festival
French films will be offered at the Staircase Café in early March. Notices will be forthcoming from the Centre Français.

Newsletter
Next edition late March 2005. For March, possible content: homework tips for parents, promote the ARTFO event, a review of Etienne, transportation review, perhaps organize a French film at Staircase in April and state the date of our AGM meeting at Fortinos in May.

For the May newsletter we would promote the French Trade Show and the St. Jean picnic and possibly the summer camp if it's a go.

Textbooks
Deborah and Roz shared with group that French textbooks are available. These books had been donated from Norwood School library and if anyone is interested in looking at them, please contact Deborah.

4. NEXT MEETING DATE

Next Meeting Wednesday, March 2, 2005
Fortinos Community Room: Mall Road 7:00 p.m.