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October 06, 2016 - 2:03 PM
KELOWNA – With more than 2,300 students registered in the French Immersion program this year, and numbers steadily growing, the School District has made a commitment to review the current delivery structure of the French Immersion Program and explore other options in order to design optimal language learning experiences for our students (K-12).
To do this, the Board of Education brought together a task force comprised of parents, teachers, principals, vice- principals, district staff, trustees and community partners to review options to guide future planning. The Task Force met six times during the 2015-2016 school year and were committed to developing a plan that was learner focused – students learning with language proficiency and cultural understanding – and one that presented inclusive, accessible, flexible, sustainable and well-resourced options for the Board of Education's consideration.
As a result, the Task Force co-designed multiple options which addressed short term needs and long-term goals. Options were presented to the Board of Education and stakeholders in May of 2016. This concluded Phase One of the Consultation Process.
The Board of Education is now beginning Phase Two of the Public Consultation Process. Three Regional Public Consultation meetings will be held to consider the strengths, opportunities and challenges of the Dr. Knox Middle option and Springvalley Middle option. Public comment and input will be collected and collated to help inform the Board of Education.
Central Okanagan public school families are invited to attend the regional French immersion public consultation meetings:
Monday, October 17, 6:00-8:00pm E´cole KLO Middle School - Library 3130 Gordon Drive, Kelowna, BC
Tuesday, October 18, 6:00-8:00pm Hollywood Road Education Centre - Room 2 1040 Hollywood Road S, Kelowna, BC
Monday, October 24, 6:00-8:00 Mount Boucherie Secondary School - Multi-Purpose Room 2751 Cameron Road, West Kelowna, BC
Both options include possibilities for opening additional dual track middle schools, offering second entry points to the Immersion Program (adding middle and/or late immersion to our already established early immersion intake), as well as potentially creating single track French Immersion elementary schools.
A public survey will also be made available online to collect public comment and input. The Board of Education will consider all evidence and input before making a final decision on the next steps for the Program.
News from © iNFOnews, 2016