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HERE'S
WHY:
INFORMATION RESOURCES FOR PARENTS
- information, materials and access
to activities needed to support your child's FSL education
- a complimentary copy of CPF's
new 30-page booklet for members : Helping Your Child Become Bilingual:
A Tool Kit for Parents
- brochures and an annual report,
The State of French-Second-Language Education in Canada
- informative national and provincial
newsletters for members: CPF National Newsletter - 3 issues per
year CPF Ontario Newsletter - 3 issues per year
- national and provincial websites
that provide answers to frequently asked questions on FSL education
(Members Only Access to special Website pages)
- the latest information and research
on French-second-language education.
ACCESS TO CPF EVENTS
- CPF Ontario sponsors summer
camps, special programs, contests and activities for French second-language
students across the province
- Local Chapter events and activities
such as film nights, concerts, book sales,French courses, student
exchanges and parent information nights.
FUNDING AND SUPPORT FOR THE HAMILTON
WENTWORTH CHAPTER
- Funding: $16 of each $25 membership
fee comes back to the Hamilton Chapter This membership money,
coupled with our own fundraising efforts, sustains all of our
programs; (for instance, our informative newsletter costs over
$400 per issue to produce)
- More members add more weight
to our advocacy efforts with School Boards & governments.
We can speak with a united voice for French language learning.
- Having a local Chapter allows
Hamilton to leverage Provincial CPF programs such as the $2500
public library grant for French materials and the $1700 advertising
grant to support FI information nights.
- CPF Hamilton Wentworth will
work on your behalf to organize special events for French second-language
students and advocate for the betterment, continuation and expansion
of French as a Second Language programs in Hamilton Wentworth.
Top Ten Reasons to Support
CPF
Our Hamilton Chapter is now four years
old and we need your help! Despite our many successful events
and activities -our membership numbers are actually declining.
In addition, we need more people to join our executive committee
to keep us energized and creative. Here are the top 10 reasons
why you should join CPF and ensure our Chapter grows and thrives
into the next four years!
1. Increased FI Enrolment: Four years ago, Hamilton's French Immersion programs
were in decline. CPF, along with the parent councils of FI schools,
has worked very hard to promote and endorse Immersion through
paid advertisements, flyers and attendance at all FI information
nights. Enrolment in both boards is now increasing steadily,
leading to fewer split classes and the need to grow the FI program
in future.
2. Newsletters:
Our chapter newsletter reaches almost 3,000 French Immersion
students and teachers across Hamilton's two school boards. CPF
newsletters keep parents and educators informed about French
language events and issues they would not usually hear about.
Our newsletters cost $400 per issue to print, so we need membership
dollars to keep them coming.
3. Bussing:
For the past two years, CPF has led the campaign at the local
board to obtain bussing for public school French Immersion students.
We were present at every policy review meeting and kept pushing
for change. Now, for the first time in 30 years our kids have
some transportation. If you appreciate our efforts -please join
CPF to show your support.
4. French Events:
CPF organizes French language events so Hamilton students have
an opportunity to use French outside the classroom setting. In
the past four years, we have arranged for numerous French concerts,
films, magic shows, author readings, and book sales, all subsidized
and organized by our executive committee. Without CPF, these
events would not take place.
5. Francophone Connections: Through outreach to the francophone community,
CPF has been able to build relationships with key organizations
and promote Hamilton's francophone events (such as the film festival
and the family picnic) to FI families. Both the francophone and
the FI community benefit from the additional interaction made
possible by CPF.
6. Provincial Money: Because we have a local chapter of CPF, Hamilton
is eligible for special programs and grants offered by CPF Ontario.
For example, we were able to provide $2,500 worth of French Reading
Materials to the Hamilton Public Library, and we are able to
pay for $1,500 of additional advertising for FI information nights
each January. Without a local chapter, we could not benefit from
these programs.
7. Advocacy:
CPF works with both school boards to improve French Second Language
programs in Hamilton. As a result of CPF advocacy, the Separate
School Board has retained a French special assignment teacher
and recently formed a French advisory committee which will include
a parent representative. A larger CPF membership will result
in an even stronger parent voice for French education.
8. Quebec Exchange: In 2005, we organized and ran a successful four-week
exchange program for 40 middle-school students. The 11 to 14
year olds travelled to Quebec to improve their French while enjoying
some wonderful cultural activities. We would like to repeat this
exchange in 2008, but we will need CPF volunteers to do so. Join
CPF and help make the next Quebec exchange a reality.
9. Special Offers: CPF has established member discounts for many of
our activities and in addition has negotiated special offers
for our members. For example: College Boreal is providing a $35
discount to CPF members taking their adult French course. The
Esprit d'Ecole French weekend camp-out was also free for the
children of CPF members -a $50 saving! For a $25 annual membership
fee you can save a bundle.
10. National Pride: CPF National works with the federal government
and national organizations to create an environment supportive
of French education in Canada. CPF Ontario works with Ministry
of Education, teacher organizations, and other groups to ensure
that there is support for French second language education. By
joining CPF, you become part of a Canada-wide movement supporting
French language education. |