CPF BC & Yukon Chapter Representatives,

As always please forward this important information to your local chapter mailing lists, school contacts, local media, and partners. We encourage you to include additional stories and activities from your local chapter. One of the best ways to promote membership and recruit new volunteers is by effectively communicating the good work of our organization (at all levels) and the many resources available to support students and parents. 

There is important information in every CRU so make sure you read them and pass the info on at your meetings!       

À bientôt, 

Kirsty Peterson,CPF BC & Yukon Outreach Officer (outreach@cpf.bc.ca)

PS - This CRU contains a scavenger hunt, email outreach@cpf.bc.ca with the right answer to win a SWAG pack for your chapter!

Richmond - Richmond Continuing Education offers a French for Parents class that is endorsed by the local chapter. To register visit: http://www.RichmondCE.ca/

North Vancouver - Attended a district info session and took some great pictures. We love seeing chapters being out and visible in their districts!

Saanich - Hosted a French Immersion Information night for parents considering French Immersion with a panel of people, including parents to answer questions.

Surrey - Surrey Libraries has started a new French language afterschool storytime program at the Newton Library. The Contes en Français program runs every Wednesday afternoon, from 3:45-4:15pm, from February 19 – March 26. To register, please call 604-598-7408. CPF BC & YT loves to see commnity organizations deveoping French programming!

New Westminster - This year marks the 25th year New Westminster has offered Late French Immersion and 10th year New Westminster has offered Early French Immersion.  To celebrate CPF New Westminster held a pancake breakfast. Over 100 people came to celebrate! Wonderful initiative CPF New West et félicitations!

Kamloops, Penticton, & Golden - O Canada! tour and I visited schools in the Interior. The media coverage and feedback from principals, teachers, and studetns was heartwarming. Thank You CPF Kamloops, Penticton and Golden for helping us bring this incredible experience to your communities! See below for Northern BC booking opportunties. 

Please continue sending me pics, event summaries, videos, or anything else showcasing the incredible work of your local Chapter in your local community. We'd love to keep sharing all the wonderful work you all do :-) 

Unfortunately, we have not yet heard back from the BC Ministry of Education about the status of our socio-cultural grant funding.

The BC Ministry of Education is currently finalizing the next 5 Year French Funding Agreement with the Federal Government. This is a $50 million dollar agreement and a complex negotiation process. Our socio-cultural program funding comes from this envelope. Unfortunately, the agreement must be signed before we can approve any Chapter socio-cultural grants. 

We have been in close communication with our Ministry contacts, and they know you're all waiting to go ahead with your activities.

We realize that this is stressful and frustrating for some of you waiting to move forward with your activities. 

Your chapters will be notified by Heather Bartlett (Projects Coordinator) as soon as we get notice about the grant approval... I mean it... We want you to know as much as you want to know :)

Merci!

Happy French Immersion Celebration Week!!!

Once again in 2014 to celebrate our volunteers for French Immersion celebration week which runs from February 3rd-9th, 2014 inclusive.

We will be reimbursing chapters up to $100 for appreciation activities hosted for your volunteers. These events, initiatives or gifts cannot include alcoholic beverages, tobacco or travel and must occur between February 1st and 29th.

Kamloops Chapter is looking for other chapters to go in on a bulk purchase of some promotional items like pencils, wristbands etc.

If your chapter would like to opt. in please email Kirsty at outreach@cpf.bc.ca with the sorts of items you would like to have for Concours or September and we will try to organize a cheaper rate for everyone.

The O Canada tour is currently travelling outside of BC, but will be back!

Northern communities looking to help bring the O Canada! tour to their local school (March 3rd - 14th) please contact Heather Bartlett at projects@cpf.bc.ca

For more information on this awesome show visit: O Canada

CPF Concours d'art oratoire 2013 winner Ana Sollazzo was the first Ambassador for Concours to the 2014 Youth Parliament in Victoria.

This venture is a result of a new partnership forged between the Conseil Jeunesse and CPF BC & Yukon. Ana was invited to participate in the Youth Parliament weekend and represented CPF BC & Yukon through a speech at the evening gala. The partnership is an example of the opportunities events like Concours d'art oratoire provide students to utilize their french and grow as leaders. A big thank- you goes to Conseil Jeunesse and Ana Solazzo in this first year partnership.

Ana's speech at the evening gala: "CPF's slogan 'Proud of 2 Languages' truly shows their dedication to the preservation of this part of our Canadian identity. Personally, their support of immersion programs from which I will graduate in June and their continued efforts regarding Concours gave me the tools to make the words of Dr. Seuss, the subject of my last speech a reality. With each addition of this knowledge your limits disappear one by one so it is true that with brains in your head. and feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself any direction you choose. "

"Le slogan du CPF ‘nos deux langues notre fierté ‘ démontre véritablement leur dévouement  à la préservation de cet élément de notre identité canadienne. Personnellement, leur soutien des programmes d’immersion duquel je serais gradué en juin et de leurs efforts continués  en ce qui concerne le concours m’ont donné les outils pour rendre les mots de Dr Seuss, le sujet de mon dernier discours, une réalité. Avec chaque ajout de  ces connaissances  tes limites disparaissent une a une donc c’est vrai qu’avec un cerveau dans votre tête et des pieds dans vos souliers vous pouvez vous dirigez dans la direction que vous choisissiez."

Merci Ana et félicitations!

Parliament Jeunesse 2014 

NATIONAL PROGRAMS
EXPLORE AND DESTINATION CLIC www.MyExplore.Ca; www.DestinationClic.ca
A bursary covering room, board and tuition to enable students who have completed at least Grade 11 to enroll in five-week immersion course in French. The Destination Clic Program is for Grade 8 & 9 Francophone students who may apply to the three-week Destination Clic Program (as defined under Section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms).

ODYSSEY www.MyOdyssey.Ca
This program offers full-time employment (for people with at least one year of postsecondary education) as assistants in second language classrooms.

PROVINCIAL PROGRAMS
STUDY FELLOWSHIP BURSARY https://www.bcedextranet.gov.bc.ca/bursary/
A one-time fellowship to encourage students to enter a full-time post-secondary program offered in French by a Canadian francophone or bilingual institution for a period of one academic year.

FRENCH TEACHERS IN TRAINING BURSARY https://www.bcedextranet.gov.bc.ca/bursary/
A bursary to encourage students to register in a one-year full-time programme, offered in French, by the Faculty of Education of a BC post-secondary institution, where the objective is to train teachers specializing in French as a first language (francophone) or French as a second language (Core French, Immersion or Francophone Program teachers).

FRENCH TEACHERS’ BURSARY https://www.bcedextranet.gov.bc.ca/bursary/
Bursaries to assist Core French, Immersion or Francophone Program teachers to attend credit and non-credit courses to improve their French academic and linguistic qualifications. The bursary covers tuition, transportation and living expenses for immersion courses and tuition for courses taken for credit only to a maximum amount for both. (Courses must be offered in French in Canada.)

BRITISH COLUMBIA/QUEBEC SIX-MONTH BILINGUAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM
A reciprocal exchange program available for a limited number of Grade 10/11 French Immersion and Francophone Program students. Quebec students live with B.C. families for three months and attend B.C. schools. Later in the school year, B.C. students live with Quebec families for three months and attend Quebec schools. Apply through participating schools.

Other information on Official-Languages Programs may  be found at the following websites:

NATIONAL         PROVINCIAL

 

Canadian Parents for French-Surrey Chapter is happy to announce long-time member Charlene Dobie, was the recipient of the 2013 SEVEC Ambassador Award, along with the Surrey Chapter of Canadian Parents for French.

Charlene, who is also a Surrey School District Trustee, was honoured at the most recent SEVEC (Society of Educational Visits and Exchanges Canada) AGM in Ottawa on November 29, 2013.  Charlene was presented the award by Janet Campbell from Exchanges Canada and Alex Butler, Surrey resident and UBC student.

Alex is a recent graduate of Ecole Earl Marriott Secondary School and member of the SEVEC Youth Advisory Committee. Alex participated in the 2010 CPF-Surrey Chapter/SEVEC Summer Exchange. Alex is available to talk to groups about SEVEC, his exchange experience and his work on the Youth Advisory Committee, butleralexjames@gmail.com

“I went to Ottawa under the guise of attending the AGM as a long-time Group Organizer and member of the SEVEC Teacher Advisory Committee but was very surprised and humbled to receive the Ambassador Award,” says Charlene Dobie.

“We are very happy to partner with SEVEC to provide this great cultural and language exchange opportunity for French Immersion, Core French or any other interested students from Surrey and surrounding school districts. I would like to thank the Department of Canadian Heritage for supporting both CPF and SEVEC,” says Ellen Holmes, President of Canadian Parents for French-Surrey Chapter.

Since 2005, Canadian Parents for French-Surrey Chapter has sponsored an annual Summer Exchange for high-school students.  More than 250 students have had the opportunity to participate in a reciprocal exchange with students from Quebec City.

Canadian Parents for French is a National organization, www.cpf.ca, located in Ottawa with Branch offices in nine provinces and two territories.  The BC &Yukon Branch, www.cpf.bc.ca, is located in Vancouver. CPF-Surrey Chapter is run by volunteers and welcomes parents and other interested in promoting French Second Language Learning to their monthly meetings, www.cpf-surrey.com  info@cpf-surrey.com

SEVEC’s Ambassador Award is an annual award given to individuals and organizations that demonstrate exceptional leadership and dedication to youth through SEVEC’s youth exchange programs. For more information on the award, visit http://www.sevec.ca/awards-recognition/sevec-ambassador-award/

For more information on CPF-Surrey Chapter contact Ellen Holmes, President enholmes@live.ca or for more information on the Exchange contact Charlene Dobie, Group Organizer sevecsurrey@gmail.com

A part-time role from March to June 2014, with an opportunity to accept a full-time Grade 6-9 French position in 2014-15. Part-time opportunity at a distinctly different middle school Island Pacific School (IPS) focuses exclusively on meeting the educational needs of adolescents in Grades 6 - 9. Our IB Middle Years Programme, outdoor challenges and community service

experiences set students up for the rest of their lives. Housed in a purpose-built, student-friendly facility, IPS is located in the safe community of Bowen Island and offers an enriched curriculum that includes philosophy, reasoning and ethics classes, monthly community service activities and multi-day outdoor expeditions. 

A dynamic French teacher who thrives off the energy and enthusiasm of middle school students, you’re prepared to challenge your students to be their best. With small classes of 12-18 and a total school population of 65, you’ll enjoy getting to know both your students and discovering how best to motivate and inspire them. Working with a close-knit team of IB teachers in a highly collaborative environment, you’ll have ample opportunity to expand your teaching practice beyond the school’s walls by taking advantage of nearby forest trails, professional community members and local organizations. 

You are fluent in French, have a valid BC teaching certificate and are prepared to contribute to the total culture of the school by participating in outdoor expeditions, serving as a homeroom teacher, coaching Ultimate, and becoming a Masterworks advisor. Although the commute from West Vancouver by ferry is only 20 minutes, this role is ideally suited to someone who lives on, or would be willing to relocate to, Bowen Island. Experience with AIM Language Learning Training and/or IB Language B training would be considered assets.

Intrigued? Please apply immediately to Dr. Ted Spear, Head of School, at work@go.islandpacific.org

For more information about Island Pacific School, please visit our website at www.islandpacific.org
 

SUMMER WEEKEND EDITION 

AUGUST 22 -24, 2014 

Your adventure begins aboard of Camp Jubilee’s certified passenger vessels for a short 30 minute boat ride from Deep Cove in North Vancouver BC. Camp Jubilee sits on 128 acres of Indian Arm waterfront and combines modern, comfortable accommodations, great food and spectacular scenery – all at affordable prices.

Join us for a fun-filled summer weekend, where parents and children relax, have fun, and
get ready for another year of French language school. Children will play and use their
French in a wonderful outdoor setting with their energetic and funny French-speaking
moniteurs, while adults connect with other French immersion parents. At day’s end, families
can enjoy the forested surroundings and join in songs and games around the campfire.

Find out more about this, and other exciting camps at: Camps and Exchanges

Le Conseil jeunesse ouvre un poste de coordination de projets. Les candidats intéressés doivent soumettre leur candidature avant le 9 février 2014.

Travailler au Conseil jeunesse, c'est faire le choix de mettre toute son énergie au profit de la création d'événements et de formations bénéficiants à tous les jeunes d'expression francaise de la Colombie-Britannique.

C'est aussi être polyvalent, avoir l'envie d'explorer de nouveaux champs de compétences.

Le Conseil jeunesse valorise le travail d'équipe, le respect, l'expression des personnalités. Tous les employés apportent leur pierre à l'édifice.

Où trouver le bureau du Conseil jeunesse: Maison de la Francophonie. bureau 229B. 1555 W7th av Vancouver (Fir&7th).

Coordinateur(trice) de projets

Mise en candidature :
Les candidat(e)s sont invité(e)s à soumettre leur curriculum vitae, leur lettre de motivation et deux
références avant le 9 février 2014.

Le tout doit être envoyé par courriel à :
Rémi Marien, directeur général
Courriel : direction@cjfcb.com

Visions Ouest are presenting our new Series of French School Matinees, one day only:
Feb. 14,at Granville Island,

And Matinées for families Saturday Feb. 15.

Visions Ouest Productions
Tél. 604-876-2294 / Télec. : 604-876-6589 / info@rendez-vousvancouver.com
http://www.rendez-vousvancouver.com

Win this awesome SWAG pack for your chapter events by correctly answering this skill testing question! (Hint - The answer is found on the www.cpf.bc.ca website http://www.cpf.bc.ca

Question - What are the selection criteria for the CPF BC & Yukon Award?

Don't forget to read upcoming issues of the CRU for more contests :)

PS- Review the CRU at your meetings to make sure everyone is in the loop!