All interested parents/guardians are encouraged to attend their local French Immersion School Information Night at their designated attendance area.

Our Board has recently completed a year-long review of the French as a Second Language (FSL) programs, including Core French and French Immersion (FI). One of the outcomes of this review was a long-term FI accommodation plan for students across York Region. YRDSB’s FI program will be offered in Dual Track or Single Track settings, in a variety of configurations. Students may begin the French Immersion program in one location, but continue in a different location.This will allow flexibility in addressing community needs and the opportunity to use existing space in schools. The new accommodation plan will provide consistency and equity of access to all students in York Region and will enable YRDSB to continue to offer the FI program to all who wish to enrol.

Purpose

The York Region District School Board continues to offer quality French Immersion for those who wish to enrol. The French Immersion program begins at Grade 1 and is based on the curriculum prescribed by the Ontario Ministry of Education.

Schools offering the French Immersion program provide children with the opportunity to learn another language in as efficient a manner as possible. It is not deemed necessary for either parent to have knowledge of the French language or culture.

Curriculum

For information about the Ontario French Immersion Curriculum, please visit the Ministry of Education Website.

A French as a Second Language Homework Toolbox has been provided to support parents with children in French as a Second Language (FSL) programs (e.g., Core and French Immersion) by the Ontario Ministry of Education and the Government of Canada, through the Department of Canadian Heritage, in collaboration with the Rainbow District School Board.

Program

French Immersion programs have been established in a number of York Region public elementary and secondary schools. This is an optional program available to students entering Grade 1.

In York Region public schools, the French Immersion program begins in Grade 1. This optional program is based on the curriculum followed by students in regular programs as prescribed by the Ministry of Education.

In Grades 1, 2 and 3, all subjects will be taught in French. Starting in Grade 4, English will be introduced as a subject, math will be taught in English and a portion of the Physical Education, Health and Arts subjects will also be taught in English. Starting in Grade 6, time will be shared equally between French and English instruction.

The French Immersion program continues at Aurora High School, Langstaff Secondary School, Newmarket High School, Pierre Elliot Trudeau High School, Thornlea Secondary School and Vaughan Secondary School.

Important Facts to Consider

• All classes are taught by teachers trained in second-language instruction whose first language is French or who have acquired near-native fluency in French. Standard French is taught.
• For the first few months of Grade 1, the children do not acquire skills identical to those learned by children in an English program.
• There may be certain lags in English Language Arts skills in the first few years of the program, but by the end of the elementary grades, French Immersion students perform as well as their peers in the regular program in areas of measurable English skills. Many of the skills students learn in French are applicable in English.
• Reading to a child at home in a child's native language can strengthen literacy skills. Research studies confirm that children achieve greater academic success when parents read frequently (daily) to them.
• Staff are aware that, in most cases, no one at home speaks French. All communication from the school and information for parents is provided in English.

Transportation

Transportation is provided in accordance with Board Policy and Procedure #680.0, Student Transportation. Students are picked up and dropped off at centrally located points established by Student Transportation Services. Students may be required to walk a few blocks to get to their bus stop. Pick-up times may be earlier or later than the pick-up times for other students in York Region public schools.

Special Notes

• French Immersion school boundaries are reviewed annually.
• If parents still have concerns about whether or not to enrol their child in a French Immersion program, they may speak to the principal of the public school offering the program serving their attendance area.