An optional French Immersion language program offered to the children in the communities of Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations, Toquaht First Nation, Ucluelet First Nation, Tofino, and Ucluelet would provide our children with valuable educational, cognitive, economic, and cultural benefits.
If you wish to let our school Trustees and Superintendent of School District 70 know that you support a French Immersion program in Tofino and/or Ucluelet, please sign this petition.
Parents are very supportive of French Immersion because they believe the program will give their children a strong advantage in a bilingual country and abroad. Bilingualism provides educational opportunities and enhanced career choices for young people after graduation.
The demand for French Immersion is growing in British Columbia. Communities including Haida Gwaii, Hazelton, Port Alberni, Cowichan Valley, Parksville, Salt Spring Island, Quesnel, Nanaimo, Ladysmith, 100 Mile House, Comox, and Courtenay, plus multiple others, all offer French Immersion programs.
In June 2012, School District 70 (Alberni) Superintendent Cam Pinkerton rejected the proposal to implement an Early French Immersion program for Tofino and Ucluelet, even though a total of 28 Kindergarten and Grade 1 students, combined from both communities, could have started Early French Immersion in September. His late response provided little time for Canadian Parents for French (CPF) Pacific Rim to respond or appeal his decision before the start of the school year in September.
On November 27, 2012 School District 70 determined at their board meeting that "a French Immersion program on the West Coast is not viable at this time".
School District 70's rejection of French Immersion on the West Coast defies the Ministry of Education's official policy for the province of British Columbia. The Ministry's policy clearly states, “It is the policy of the Ministry to support the establishment of French Immersion programs within the public school system. The major goal of French Immersion is to provide the opportunity for non-francophone students to become bilingual in English and French. School districts are encouraged to offer French Immersion programs."
Let's work together with School District 70 to make French Immersion a reality on the West Coast!
For more information please visit the CPF BC-Yukon website:
Please join our CPF Pacific Rim Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/164230323640739/
Follow us on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/CPFPacificRim
Canadian Parents for French (CPF) is the national network of volunteers that values French as an integral part of Canada and is dedicated to the promotion and creation of French as a second language learning opportunities for young Canadians.