Minutes of the Hamilton-Wentworth Executive
June 23, 2004

Members: Roz Minaji, Deborah Doody, Kaywana Gargarello, Susan McClure, Lori Prevec, Craig Sproats,Tracey Cseresnyes, Marie Patenaude, Frank Torelli, Yvonne Swiston

Regrets: Mary Finstad, Yolanda Czyzewski-Bragues, Carrie Crockett, Dianne Mackenzie

The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m.

The Chair called the meeting to order 7:30 p.m.

1. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES
The AGM Minutes of April 22, 2004 were approved.

The minutes of May 12, 2004 were approved.

2. UPDATES

Volunteer Hours: 30

Treasurer's Report: Deborah Doody

Canadian Parents For French
Treasurer's Report as of June 30th, 2004

Opening Balance - May 31st, 2004 $3,276.37

Revenues - Interest $1.79

Expenses
Marc Tardif -Final Fee #042 16-May $402.50
Carrie Crockett - Stamps - #043 22-Jun $15.73
Total Expenses June $418.23

Balance June 30th, 2004 $2,859.93

Summary April to June Expenses
Members Appreciation $1,123.50
Annual Meeting 60.00
Newsletters, printing, stamps, etc. $707.49
Book Mark Printing 770.50
Course Fees 71.69
Total $2,733.18

Membership Updates: Carrie Crockett

Currently 32 memberships are due for renewal. Roz proposed questionnaire be forwarded for members, to provide understanding as to reasons for leaving CPF.

Communications: Roz Minaji

French Course
Roz reported application for grant for Level II course denied. Grant is only a one time grant, which we received for Level I.

Fall Newsletter
Roz meeting with Diane and will have newsletter ready for first week of September. Articles to be submitted to Roz, newsletter will include:
Course Registration
Chapter Events
Overview of CPF

3. CHAPTER EVENTS

Member Event Debriefing
Everyone agreed event success. Turnout could have been better. Magician very well received. Students from Cathedral High School did a wonderful opening act. Suggestion for next year - earlier in year, Friday night.

French Film Matinees at the Staircase
Roz reported on French films. Attendance to both was on average 30 per film. Staircase Café is interested in doing it again in October. Suggestion: explore alternative time slots for the movies.

French Course Feedback
Roz reported that comment sheets had been received from Annette. Level Two - from lesson six onward students found the material difficult. Identified that more oral focus should be in Level Two. Level Two will be revamped for the winter 2005 session, will need teacher to check what course content should be.

Level One to be offered in the fall, both Monday & Tuesday evenings.

3. PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD ISSUES

Roz attended the FIAC meeting on May 26, 2004. Transportation Issues are being reviewed by the Board's policy working committee starting in the Fall. CPF had FIAC request that transportation for French Immersion students be incorporated within this review. Marie will forward 'Dionne' Report.

Marie provided a report on Concours for FIAC.

Susan attended JK/SK Information Night at Earl Kitchener on May 18, 2004 and provided parents with CPF pamphlets. Parents encouraged to join CPF as a valuable resource for both children and parents.

Representatives
Will need to review representation at schools. Glen Brae, Glen Echo and Cunningham for the fall.

4. SEPARATE SCHOOL BOARD ISSUES

Kaywana reported on a presentation at the Separate Board by Kaywana and Dianne, where they requested the following: that the Board recognize CPF so that all communications from CPF can be distributed via the Board; that the Board adopt a French Advisory Committee - to provide a forum in which FSL issues can be addressed; and that the Board undertake a survey of FI students and parents to facilitate an understanding of the issues/concerns of why students may drop out of the program. The Board is expected to respond to these requests at their September meeting. Twenty parents attended in support of CPF.

5. OTHER BUSINESS

Ideas for Upcoming Year for Chapter to Explore
" Continued promotion of CPF through concerts and book sales.
" Representative from the Francophone community
" Letter to parents of JK students to be sent home in January promoting French Immersion
" CPF pamphlet - update to promote local Chapter
" Expand membership numbers including school memberships from French Immersion schools
" Advertise meeting dates in newsletter for the session, and where the meetings are held. Contact Fortinos and book room. Bring calendar in September to book meetings - Wednesday nights?
" Continued attendance at FIAC
" Continued membership drive - how do we get members to rejoin
" Hamilton Spectator - feature on CPF
" French Courses - Level One - 2 classes will be offered in the fall; Level Two - 1 class in the winter
" CPF Executive - members asked to look at events, and pick one to assist with
" Summer Camp - looking for volunteer - identified that CPF should try to partner with someone to offer a camp next summer
" Public Board Transportation Issue - follow-up in the Fall
" Transition of Middle school students within the French Immersion Program
" Concerts - Etienne - look at alternatives of offering two concerts - one day for Public school board; one day at Catholic School Board
" Day In French in Hamilton - explore opportunities to live the French life within our community
" Concours - look at venues to engage more teachers involvement with the festival
" Book Sale - explore location and date - November at St. Joseph's School. Materials to be reviewed and added include: Robert Munsch; Pierre & Camielle; Christmas cards; Thank you cards, Valentine's cards
" Francophone Newsletter - Ask Marie to bring to next meeting
" SEVEC - Exchange Program - follow-up in fall and promote program - geared to middle school age -Deborah and Susan will follow-up and prepare for information night in September
" School Council - continue to represent CPF at School Council meetings
" December - French Sing a long - Craft & Music event
" Member appreciation event - Family Skating Party?
" Increase teacher's involvement within CPF - Build on the "I'm Teaching French Because" campaign
" FIAC - Statistics - provide data within newsletter on enrollment numbers
" Pen Pals - suggestion to have students engage in a pen pal exchange

SEVEC
Society for Educational Visits and Exchanges in Canada
Information Brochure provided to members. Deborah & Susan will set up parent information meeting for September.

BOOKSALE
November -Kaywana to confirm location and date

DAY IN FRENCH
October -Marie to check with Ray's Boat House to see if they would offer French menus and server for the event -could also include French tour of Dundurn Castle and French film at Staircase Café -Participants could walk between the three locations.

CRAFT/SING ALONG
December or March Break - Need to identify location & details

Other Activities:
" Regular French film matinees for children
" Joint events with Hamilton's francophone community
" Quarterly issues of the Hamilton CPF Newsletter
" Web Site updated monthly
" French Courses in Fall & Winter
" French Concert for Students in February 2005
" Promotion of FI Kindergarten & High School Information Nights
" Parent Information Night in April Theme - Francophone Community
" CPF Public Speaking Contest in April 2005
" Family French Performer in May (member appreciation)
" Facilitate a local French summer camp for 2005

Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

Next Meeting Wednesday September 1, 2004
Roz's House 55 Athens Street 7:00 p.m.