Minutes of the Hamilton-Wentworth Executive
Wednesday February 19, 2003

Members: Tracey Cseresnyes, Deborah Doody, Mary Finstad, Susan McClure, Rosalind Minaji, Marie Patenaude, Craig Sproats, Frank Torelli, Kaywana Gargarello
Guest: Gisèle Portelance - FSL Consultant HWDSB
Regrets: Mike Lalich, Lori Prevec, Julie Senecal Tremblay

The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 7:05 p.m.

1. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES:

The minutes of January 15, 2003 were approved with noted revision:
Page 5 Delete: Centre François Hamilton Inc.
Add: R.D.I.F.

2. HWDSB - French Second Language Consultant, Gisèle Portelance

Welcome extended to Gisèle Portelance. Gisèle provided update to CPF Executive which included the following highlights:
¨ She has had the opportunity to visit all Elementary FI teachers and some core French teachers.
¨ Westdale -new courses will be introduced to provide additional options to FI students
¨ Noted Grade 3 EQAO scores were lower than English last year; mathematics testing indicated lower scores. Working on strategies to improve results.
¨ Core French Schools, 25 schools comprise six clusters. Gisèle will be meeting with teachers to identify their training needs.
¨ Senior Kindergarten Information Nights scheduled - flyers sent out, updated presentation ready.
¨ The FSL Position is 20% French, 80% English Literacy.
¨ Exit interviews will be sent out this Spring to students/parents leaving the FI program
¨ Publisher's Display for Teachers being held on March 20th, 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. held at Norwood Park School. Commitments from six publishers.

CPF members identified issues as noted from the parents' perspective to Gisèle, including:
¨ F. Torelli tabled a concern identified at Ryerson School Council of Grade 9 subjects which place emphasis on mathematics and science, and not enough on Language courses enabling the students to learn Conversational French. If the students in Grade 9 do not take mathematics and science, they may be short the required number of courses for the Certificate. Some middle school students have science instruction in English and therefore have difficulty with vocabulary in Grade Nine.
¨ Previously students in FI program attained ten courses over five years. High school is now four years, and ten subjects must still be completed. It was suggested that the number of courses be reduced to eight to be completed within the four years.
¨ Concern that science is an option that should be taught in French. Grade eight students of both Ryerson Middle School and Dalewood Middle School currently have science in English. Parents expressed to School Council concern of difficulty in learning vocabulary for high school.
¨ The French courses are heaviest in Grades 9 & 10, four subjects in each grade. Then there is a drop off for courses available in Grade 11 & 12. Item for review - the workload be spread evenly over the four years since University entrance now looks at marks from at all four years.
¨ Discussion about hiring of qualified teachers and the lack of French Learning Resource teachers. Discussion of implementing a clause into teaching contract for commitment to remain. G. Portelance noted that other Boards have done this, however, it cannot legally be enforced.
¨ Transportation for FI students needs to be introduced in the HWDSB.
¨ R. Minaji noted we require a commitment from the Board for the ongoing promotion of the FI Program. Currently the Board is relying on parents to spread the word through activities such as the Norwood Park booth at Limeridge Mall and flyers sent to local daycare centres.
¨ M. Patenaude noted Out-of-Catchment forms had been distributed. Some parents have been concerned, though there seems to be little impact on the FI boundaries. A Commitment Notice has been forwarded to all current FI students for completion, identifying the number of students who will be continuing within FI program for the 2003 - 2004 school year. Next step, to generate a questionnaire to ascertain why students are leaving FI program.

R. Minaji thanked G. Portelance for attending the meeting. She asked that CPF and parents be informed if there are issues at the Board level that can be advocated on through CPF and school councils.

3. UPDATES:

Volunteer Hours: Total = 32

Treasurer's Report:
Opening Balance: $125.39

Revenue: $1,300.00 Course Fees & Membership Fees
$1,125.00 Annual Membership Rebate

Expenditures: $450.00 CPF membership fees sent to Ottawa
$500.00 Course Instructor
Balance on hand: $1, 600.64

Membership:
There are now 118 members (including spouses) and 3 group memberships which include G.R. Allan, Norwood. G. Portelance will attain a Corporate Membership.

Communications:
R. Minaji shared communication on CPF Ontario Chapter Chat. CPF Ontario will now contribute 1/3 the cost of French language concerts, with the remaining costs shared between the local School Board and local CPF Chapter. G. Portelance stated that this was something the Board would be willing to explore.

A CPF H-W newsletter will be distributed the first week of April. R. Minaji will bring a draft to the next meeting. C. Sproats will contribute an article on the French course. Other topics will be a report on the Fall concert, promotion of book fair and AGM and of Concours.

4. SPECIAL EVENTS

French Course
The French course began in January with 25 participants. Two students were unable to attend due to health reasons and the course binders will be mailed to them. T. Cseresnyes will provide the addresses to R. Minaji.

The focus of the course is on conversational French. The main challenge for the course instructor is the varied level of participants. M. Patenaude has reviewed and corrected the class material by hand. Annette Ray has also produced some supplementary worksheets. R. Minaji will contact CPF Newfoundland to inquire about attaining course material electronically so that it can be more easily corrected and reproduced for the next session.

Discussion on obtaining course feedback from participants. R. Minaji will prepare a course evaluation sheet. The course is currently 1 1/2 hours and could be expanded to 2 hours. It was suggested that the maximum participants be reduced to 20, but with additional class time it is hoped that 25 could still be accommodated to keep costs down and allow as many people as possible to participate. There is already a waiting list for the next time the course is offered. M. Patenaude and C. Sproats will review with instructor her availability for course in Fall. G.R. Allan is a good location. It was suggested that the fee be increased to cover the cost of photocopying materials as C. Sproats cannot be expected to provide free copying every time.

Kindergarten Information Nights
Confirmation of kindergarten nights reviewed:
Tuesday, February 25, 2003 G.R. Allan M. Patenaude, S. McClure
Wednesday, February 26, 2003 Glen Echo L. Prevec
Tuesday, March 4, 2003 Norwood R. Minaji
Wednesday, March 5, 2003 Waterdown DHS R. Minaji, M. Finstad

Role of CPF, to answer questions of parents and provide a parent's perspective of the FI Program. Display and brochures to be set up.

Annual General Meeting
To be held on Thursday April 24th at 7:00 p.m. Some difficulty in finding a location as G.R. Allen and Earl Kitchener both busy that evening. T. Cseresnyes will contact Norwood Park. Elections for CPF Executive positions will be held if necessary. Annual Report and budget statements will be available.

Ted Karp of CPF Ontario will address Advocacy for French Immersion; G. Portelance will join us to review her role as FSL consultant and the future of French Immersion. M. Finstad has forwarded letters to local businesses requesting donations of food and door prizes and will provide an update at the next meeting. L. Prevec will approach Usburne Books to ask if they can hold a mini sale of their material (and perhaps donate a prize as well). R. Minaji was approached by Poster Pals and they will be coming to the meeting to display their materials and have provided some door prizes.

An invitation to the meeting will go to all FI parents in the April newsletter, with additional notice by e-mail to CPF members wishing to run for the Executive.

Book Sale
To be held on Wednesday, May 28th at Earl Kitchener - gym from 3:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Arrangements have been confirmed by M. Patenaude to visit Champlain Librairie to select materials.
Members asked to mark date on calendar to assist in a shift, to be reviewed at next meeting.

Concours Public Speaking Contest
M. Patenaude identified the participation of her class in the Concours Public Speaking Contest. G. Portelance will assist in judging of finalists on March 25, 2003, two finalists will be selected. M. Patenaude will send R. Minaji a digital photo of the finalists to put in the CPF newsletter.

5. CONTACTS WITH FRANCOPHONE COMMUNITY:

M. Patenaude attended luncheon sponsored by R.D.I.F. on February 14th, and provided summary for members. Key players in French community attended luncheon, including Francophone Schools within the Hamilton area. Key speaker, Lise Paiement addressed audience and noted importance of celebrating small victories. Although geared to French as first language, message inspiring to all, "Are you in the parade, watching the parade or does the parade bother you?"

M. Patenaude shared information on an upcoming event sponsored by Festival ARTFO - L'ACFO. Dance competition on April 4 & 5, 2003 at Westdale Secondary School.

6. OTHER BUSINESS:
G. Portelance reviewed CPF slide information of FI presentation.
G. Portelance shared conference information being held by OMLTA - March 27, 28 & 29, 2003 and will forward information to M. Patenaude.
We welcomed K. Gargarello to the Executive Committee. She is representing St. Joseph's Separate School and it is wonderful to have parents from both Boards at the table. K. Gargarello will distribute the next newsletter to FI students at St. Joseph's.
K. Gargarello noted the lack of French language materials at the Locke Street library, despite the presence of Earl Kitchener and St. Joseph's FI schools in the area. She asked that other parents bring this issue to the librarian's attention.

Meeting Adjourned: 9:20 p.m.
NEXT MEETING: Wednesday March 19th 7:00 P.M.
Norwood Park School Library