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Proposed Changes to Conseil Scholaire Francophone Admission

The Conseil Scholaire Francophone (SD93) has put forward a proposal  to officially "open up their student registration to non-Francophone students" with the stipulation that the students would need to be approved by a selection committee. If adopted, this would increase the accessibility of Francophone schools to students of non-Francophone descent. We believe this would be a very positive step towards greater inclusion and participation of students in French language education and culture in BC.
We encourage our members and partners to speak out in favour of this proposed change at local chapter / PAC meetings, with fellow parents, and educators. Current and aspiring French immersion students could qualify to register for Francophones schools if this proposal goes through.

To get further updates and to stay connected with French education issues and opportunities follow CPF BC & Yukon on Facebook

Chapter Happenings

Lower Mainland/Fraser Valley - Chapter reps from Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Richmond, Vancouver North, North Vancouver, Surrey, New Westminster and Tri-Cities met at the CPF Branch office for a regional meeting last month. The chapters met and discussed what is going on in their chapters and ways that they can work together. Watch for a regional partneship event next summer!

Tri-Cities - was at the 24th Annual Festival du Bois, March 1 – 3, 2013 at Mackin Park in Maillardville/Coquitlam. If you were there you may have run into Heather Bartlett and Kirsty Peterson from the branch office checking out the delicious tourtière, maple taffy on snow, homemade poutine and other yumminess. 

North Vancouver - Held their annual Film Festival last month at the Esplanade theatre, this event reached 9 schools in their district and showed age appropriate French films catering for children from K-12. 

Cranbrook - This chapter had been busy over the past few months organizing Croissant Days and Winter Carnaval, Kindergarten Information Meetings, where they reached 30 new parents and holding their first ever Highschool Informaion session (with pizza)! 28 hungry students attended to learn about opportunities for exchanges, post secondary studies en francais and scholarships.

Surrey - SFU Surrey held it's Winter Carnaval this month with carnival games, Bonhomme (purchased for  $400 from Dotsy's Entertainment ) and the Crepe Van! Yum!

Abbotsford - Kirsty Peterson (Outreach and Chapter Support) made a trip out to Abbotsford to meet with chapter president, Greg Nutchey and PAC parents working to revitalise their chapter.

12 Things No One Told Us About French Immersion

iVillage published an article called "Wish We’d Known: 12 Things No One Told Us About French Immersion" and BC was quite well represented. Read the article on iVillage

Parents from across the country expressed the positives and some common concerns about French Immersion. As parents, we all sometimes fear that we are making the wrong choices. When it comes to our childen learning French, Canadian Parents for French feel that the benefits far outweigh any difficulties. This is why since 1977 we have built a strong community of support for other parents educating thier children in FSL programming.

Here's some of what we said out of BC:

There are fewer courses in higher grades, but being bilingual is a huge asset

“Our son likes learning another language. Both my husband and I’s fathers were born and raised in Ontario/Quebec with French as their first language, so my son feels that he is continuing our family culture.”

Heidi LeFaive, president for Canadian Parents for French, tri-cities chapter, Port Moody, BC.

You may have to advocate heavily for your child

“Lack of support resources for struggling students may mean that you have to fight for your child’s right to stay in French. Children's learning difficulties usually have nothing to do with what language they are learning in, but parents are often advised to switch out, unnecessarily.”

Kirsty Peterson, Chapter Support & Outreach Officer, Canadian Parents for French BC & Yukon Branch

You need to be patient if your child is slow to read or write in French

“Sometimes it can take until the end of grade 2 for the light-bulb moment when reading in French happens. Some parents worry at the end of grade one when children struggle to read in French and English.  But I was surprised how early my two kids were able to communicate with their teachers in French.”

Christine, Maple Ridge, BC

Concours Volunteers

What: Volunteer for the Provincial French Public Speaking Contest. The contest is for students throughout BC from grades 6 through 12 who have won at the district level. Over 300 competitors participate and attendance is over 1,000 individuals. This is a great opportunity to get volunteer hours and experience either with friends, or on your own.

Benefits: Free lunch and morning snack; a small thank-you gift included; get a letter of participation towards your volunteer hours. Spend a Saturday with friends, or make new ones!

DATES: MAY 4th, 2013 – 7:30am – 4:00pm. Help set up: Friday May 3rd – 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Where: Simon Fraser University - Surrey Campus http://www.surrey.sfu.ca/maps_directions

Contact: Interested? Have questions? Contact Heather at projects@cpf.bc.ca or by phone at 778-329-9115 ext. 317.  Go to cpf.bc.ca then 'Events', or click here Concours d’art Oratoire

Employment Opportunities

CPF is hiring an individual to fulfil a short term (1-3 month) contract for a coordinator.

Details to be posted on the following link in early March:

http://www.cpf.bc.ca/site3/index.php/about-us/employment-and-volunteer-opportunities

10th Annual Canadian Club French Luncheon

"The French-ness is in every Canadian" -Rt. Hon Michaëlle Jean

CPF Directors Diane Tijman, Khue-Tu Nguyen, Executive Director Glyn Lewis, Project Coordinator Heather Bartlett, Chapter Support and Outreach Officer Kirsty Peterson, New Westminster Chapter outgoing President Heidi Clarkson, volunteers Jaycee Clarkson and Genevieve Depelteau, joined by Hosni Zaouali, Director of Communications from Voila Learning attended the 10th annual Canadian Club Francophone Luncheon in Vancouver, BC and enjoyed french speakers, music and a delicious lunch in great company.

Board Nominations

Canadian Parents for French BC & Yukon Branch is seeking interested and enthusiastic CPF members to join our Branch Board of Directors.  Directors are elected for either one or two-year terms and are responsible for supporting the organization’s strategic goals and objectives.
Board Director positions are voluntary and travel is required. Reasonable travel expenses are reimbursed. The Board of Directors meets in person at least four times a year; other meetings occur by teleconference.

If you value French as an integral part of Canada and if you are dedicated to providing opportunities for young Canadians to learn and use French, we need you!

Can you offer these skills?
• You enjoy working on the big picture
• You are innovative and responsive
• You can respectfully share your views
• You work well independently and as part of a team
• You are a good communicator
• You have a love for languages and an awareness of FSL issues
• You are comfortable with computers and have access to email

For more information see: Board Nominations

Deadline for applications is 31 May 2013

Bouquet de Merci

Do you know someone whose outstanding activities and achievements have contributed to the health and vibrancy of French programs and activities for children in your community?

The Bouquet de Merci is an award of recognition of the contribution by an individual or an association to the goals of Canadian Parents for French – winners are announced at our AGM. The Board of Directors of CPF BC & Yukon recognizes individuals or associations in BC or the Yukon which have contributed significantly to the following goals of CPF:

To assist in ensuring that each young Canadian has the opportunity to acquire as great a knowledge of the French language as he or she is willing to attain.
To promote the best possible types of French language learning opportunities.
To establish and maintain effective communication between interested parents’ educational and governmental authorities responsible for the provision of French language learning opportunities.
To provide educational opportunities for young Canadians to learn and use the French language.

To nominate a volunteer in your area please see our website: Bouquet de Merci

CPF Bouquet de Merci nomination deadline June 30th

OSEF France-Canada Summer Exchange

For Students 13 to 17 years old

  • Discover France
  • Experience the French langage and culture
  • Live with a French family in July and host your exchange partner in August
  • Make new friends and add an international dimension to your family life.

Registration starts September 1, 2012 and applications will be accepted until April 30, 2013 

The cost of the exchange program is $3,800.00 per student.
The exchange cost includes:

  • Vancouver, Victoria, Edmonton, Calgary, Regina, Halifax, Fredericton, Saskatoon, or Winnipeg -Paris return airfare
  • Departure taxes and transfers in France
  • Paris excursions (Tour Eiffel, Bateau Mouche) - Paris hotel (1 night)
  • Parent / student orientation
  • Toronto visit (Niagara Falls, CN Tower)
  • Toronto hotel – 1 night
  • Screening, selection of, and matching of exchange partners
  • Hospitalization and repatriation insurance - Administrative fees

Contact: www.osef.ca or
British Columbia, Manitoba & Saskatchewan Christopher McFarland
Tel: 250-858-6232
Email: cdnmcfarland@shaw.ca

French for the Future's Local Forum at SFU

Get out of your comfort zone!  French for the Future's Local Forum at SFU - Thursday, April 25

More than 200 French immersion and francophone high school students from throughout MetroVancouver will make the trek out to SFU's Burnaby campus to participate in fun and engaging workshops - in French.  This year's theme, “Get out of your comfort zone,” will call students to action to improve their communities and make a difference in their world.  Workshops include topics such as leadership, communication, and entrepreneurship.

Following the workshops, our youth committee will lead a discussion on the benefits and challenges relating to living in a minority linguistic environment.  Several local and international organizations will be on site to promote internship opportunities available to bilingual British Columbian  youth.  Grade 10, 11, and 12 students are encouraged to register by March 8 at www.french-future.org (Vancouver Local Forum).  Bus transportation is included.

Les Echos du Pacifique

French choir presents BC premiere of work to honour pioneer mothers and grandmothers

Les Échos du Pacifique, a 30 member francophone community choir based in Maillardville under the direction of Luke Mayba, will perform the British Columbian première of Elles s’appelaient Marie, a 16-movement suite, in two concerts, in Coquitlam and in Vancouver, on May 4 and 5. Elles s’appelaient Marie was written by the Franco-Albertan historian and composer France Levasseur-Ouimet and arranged by award-winning composer Allan Bevan. The work premiered in Edmonton in 2007. Edmonton soloist Marie-Josée Ouimet will join Les Échos du Pacifique for these performances and interpret the role of « Marie ».

The first concert will take place Saturday, May 4 at 7:30pm in the theatre at Centennial Secondary School (570 Poirier Street, Coquitlam). The second concert will take place Sunday, May 5 at 2:30pm in the theatre at École secondaire Jules-Verne (5445 Baillie Street, Vancouver). Tickets for either concert are $12 for adults or $10 for students & seniors (free for children 12 and under), and are available by contacting celinegrandmont@shaw.ca or lmayba@sd40.bc.ca, or for purchase at the door.

For more information contact:
Luke Mayba, Conductor
Phone: 604-266-4699
E-mail: lmayba@sd40.bc.ca
Web: www.lesechosdupacifique.com