FRENCH IMMERSION
Grade 1 to Grade 12
November 2015
DUFFERIN-PEEL CDSB
1
Prayer of Learners
Father of Light and Wisdom
Thank you for giving me
A mind that can know
And a heart that can love.
Help me to keep learning everyday of my life
No matter what the lesson might be.
Let me be convinced that all knowledge leads to You
And let me know how to find You and to love You
In all the things that You have made.
Amen.
2
National History of French Immersion
3
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Immersion programs in Canadian English-language school
systems began in 1965 St Lambert, Quebec a Montreal suburb.

French Immersion enrolment in Ontario is the highest in Canada.
It constitutes approximately 50% of the Canadian immersion
enrolment of 611,895.

The total elementary French Immersion enrolment in Ontario has
remained stable over the last several years.
Rationale for French Immersion
Programs
4

French is one of Canada’s two official languages and one of Ontario’s two
official languages of instruction.

Knowledge of a second language strengthens first-language skills.
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Ability to speak two or more languages generally enhances reasoning,
problem-solving as well as creative-thinking skills.

Research shows children educated in content subjects(like science and
geography) in two languages develop higher reasoning and analytical
skills.
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Knowledge of French provides students with an advantage in a number of
careers, both in Canada and internationally.
Aims of French Immersion Programs
5

To develop strong skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing
in French.
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To be functionally bilingual by the end of Grade 12.
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To provide students with an understanding of the cultures of
French-speaking societies by integrating cultural study into daily
language instruction.
Aims of French Immersion Programs
Students in French Immersion programs attain a high level of
competency which is considered to mean that the student, after at
least 3,800 hours of French instruction by the end of Grade 8, can:
• participate in conversation;
• understand radio and television news and other programs that
are of personal interest;
• read newspapers and books in which he/she is interested;
• demonstrate knowledge of the culture, society, customs,
economy, government and institutions of a French-speaking
community;
• function quite well in a French-speaking community.
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FSL programs in Ontario
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There are three types of FSL programs: Core, Extended, and
Immersion.
Core French is the study of the subject French. Core French is
compulsory for English-language schools from Grades 4 to 8 at the
elementary level. One FSL credit is compulsory for obtaining the high
school diploma.
Extended French and French Immersion are optional secondlanguage programs where French is not only taught as a subject but
is also the language of instruction in one or more other subjects.
French Immersion and Extended French programs replace the need
for Core French for students enrolled in those programs.
Types of FSL Programs
Core French
Available
in Grades 4-8
Available
in Grades 5-8
French Immersion
Available
French
Instruction at 40
minutes per day
French
Instruction at 50%
of the school day
French
By
By
By
the end of grade 8,
total accumulated hours:
600 hrs
8
Extended French
the end of grade 8,
total accumulated hours:
1560 hrs
in Grades 1-8
instruction at 90%
in Grade 1; 70% in Grades
2-3; 50% in Grades 4-8
the end of grade 8,
total accumulated hours:
4510 hrs
Total Hours for FSL Programs
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
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Core
Ext Fr
Fr Imm
Number of hours
French Immersion at Dufferin-Peel
10

The French Immersion Pilot Project was implemented starting at
two schools in September 2008, by application, starting in Gr. 1.
Presently, French Immersion is offered at 8 French Immersion
centers Board-wide.

This regional program of choice has now expanded to eight sites
offering Grade One French Immersion. Four sites offer the
program Grades 1 – 8; four sites offer the program Grades 1-4
with the program continuing at a paired site nearby Grades 5-8.
Curriculum for Subjects Taught in
French
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In Ontario, there is a French Immersion curriculum which outlines
expectations in listening, speaking, reading and writing.
There is no unique curriculum for subjects (other than FSL) taught
in French in French Immersion programs.
For subjects like Science or Geography, the expectations in each
grade are essentially those outlined in the English-language
subject curriculum documents. Learning resources provided in
French follow the Ontario English language curriculum.
Students will be expected to achieve the regular English
language curriculum expectations before the end of Grade 8.
Assessment Policy
12

The Achievement Chart from the Ministry policy is designed to promote
province-wide consistency in assessing and evaluating students’
achievement of the expectations.

Students’ assessment of the curriculum expectations is based on four
levels of achievement. Level 3 represents the “provincial standard”.

The “provincial standard” identifies a high level of achievement of the
expectations.

The Dufferin-Peel Board’s Assessment policy applies for all FI students.
All EQAO tests in Grade 3, 6, 9 and 10
Other Program Considerations
13

No provincial admission criteria in the ministry policy.

The Ministry specifies that FI is open to all students, including
those with English as a Second Language requirements and/or
Special Needs.

Past research suggests that children who are successful in the FI
classroom are those who are risk-takers.
Risk takers
Communication skills:
 Enjoys and plays with language (rhyming and word games)
 Listens effectively (i.e. retell or explain a story in sequence)
 Displays strong communication skills (listening and speaking) in
their mother tongue
 Follows directions and instructions
Literacy:
 Identifies and prints name, the alphabet and some words
 Demonstrates an awareness of individual sounds and sound
patterns
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Risk takers
Self-regulation:
 Cooperates with others and works or plays well in groups
 Perseveres and makes an effort when responding to challenges
Initiative:
 Looks for and acts on new ideas and opportunities
 Demonstrates a willingness to take risks
 Demonstrates curiosity and interest in learning
 Approaches new tasks with a positive attitude
 Regular attends school (a strong indicator for success)
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Parents should expect to:
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allocate time, space and materials for homework
remember that homework is the responsibility of the child
have the expectation that homework must be done, but don’t force work
past the recommended time allocation that is considered reasonable for
completion
if your child is having ongoing difficulty with homework, consult with the
teacher
encourage your child to bring home familiar books from school on a
regular basis and listen to your child read to you in French and ask
general questions about the story (don’t ask for a translation)
borrow French books, videos, magazines from the library; watch TFO and
visit the TFO website
look around the environment for print that your child can read: road signs,
store signs, etc.
read to your child and with your child-whether in Home Language or
French; reading is reading.
Eligibility at Dufferin-Peel Catholic
District School Board

The program is open to all students who are eligible to attend
Grade 1 in Dufferin-Peel schools in September 2016.
 VERY IMPORTANT: In order to apply, either the child or one
parent/guardian must be baptized at the time of application. Either
the child’s or one of the parents’ baptismal certificate must be
presented at the time of registration in March, 2016.
 The baptismal certificate can either be an original Roman Catholic
baptismal certificate, or baptismal certificate from an Eastern Rite
Church in full communion with the Holy See of Rome.
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Eligibility at Dufferin-Peel Catholic
District School Board
 If your child (children) presently attend(s) an elementary Public
school, and,
 If one child is successful in obtaining placement in French
Immersion,
 All siblings must transfer to the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District
School Board. A Family can only provide tax support for either the
Public or Separate School System, but not both.
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French Immersion at Dufferin-Peel:
Mississauga sites
School
Grade
1
Grade
2
Grade
3
Grade
4
Grade
5
Grade
6
Grade
7
Grade
8
St. Margaret of
Scotland
2266 Council Ring
Road, Mississauga
905-820-5115
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Coming
Sept.
2016
*
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Grades 5-8
Offered at Our Lady of Mercy
*
*
*
*
Grades 5-8
Offered at St Jude
*
*
*
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Grades 5-8
Offered at St Teresa of Avila
St. Gertrude
815 Ceremonial Drive,
Mississauga
905-568-7660
Divine Mercy
2840 Duncairn Drive,
Mississauga
905-812-5445
St. Pio of Pietrelcina
4765 Huron Heights
Drive, Mississauga
905-361-1327
St. Elizabeth Seton
6133 Glen Erin Drive,
Mississauga
905-821-2277
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French Immersion at Dufferin-Peel:
Brampton sites
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School
Grad
e
1
Grad
e
2
Grad
e
3
Grad
e
4
Grad
e
5
Grade
6
Grade
7
Grade
8
St. Joachim
435 Rutherford Road
North, Brampton
905-453-4472
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Comin
g Sept.
2016
Our Lady of Providence
35 Black Oak Drive,
Brampton
905-458-7080
*
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St. Angela Merici
83 Edenbrook Hill Drive,
Brampton
905-840-1505
*
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*
*
*
*
Grades 5-8
Offered at St. Ursula
French Immersion at Dufferin-Peel
Do all French Immersion Schools offer the French Immersion Program from
Grades 1 to 8?
 Only St. Margaret of Scotland and St Gertrude in Mississauga and, St.
Joachim, and Our Lady of Providence in Brampton offer the French
Immersion Program from Grades 1 to 8.
 The following schools offer the French Immersion Program from Grades 1 to
4 with a paired site to continue the French Immersion Program from Grades 5
to 8:
•
•
•
•
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Divine Mercy, Grades 1 to 4, is paired with Our Lady of Mercy, Grades 5 to 8
St. Elizabeth Seton, Grades 1 to 4, will pair with St. Teresa of Avila, Grades 5
to 8, in September 2016
St. Pio of Pietrelcina, Grades 1 to 4, will pair with St. Jude, Grades 5 to 8, in
September 2016
St. Angela Merici, Grades 1 to 4, is paired with St. Ursula, Grades 5 to 8
Transportation
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Currently, NO transportation is provided to the FI school.
Parents are responsible for providing transportation for their
children, to and from the French Immersion schools.
Please note that, for students living inside the regular school
boundaries of a French Immersion school, eligibility for student
transportation is based on the policies established by the school
board.
The board’s transportation policy is reviewed annually.
Careful consideration should be given to the logistics of providing
transportation as prompt arrival and pick-up are essential.
French Immersion Online Application
System
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The French Immersion Online Application System will be open
from January 11, 2016 to February 14,2016 11:59 p.m.
Open to all students eligible to attend Grade 1 in Dufferin-Peel
schools in September 2016.
In the case of application by multiple siblings or same age siblings
from blended families, one application to French Immersion
program is completed for all eligible children.
A successful placement in the French Immersion School does not
guarantee placement of younger siblings in future years.
French Immersion Online Application
System
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VERY IMPORTANT: Parents are responsible for updating
changes to contact information.

All communications regarding placement/waitlist/registration will
take place through email.
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Reminders to register at the French Immersion school will be
communicated through automatic phone message.
French Immersion Online Application
System
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Upon completion of the application, parents will receive a
computer-generated confirmation number/receipt to email address
provided.
If any change is made to the application, the parent/guardian will
receive email confirming change. NOTE: DOES NOT CHANGE
THE ELIGIBILITY OF THE APPLICATION OR THE
CONFIRMATION NUMBER.
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The centralized, computerized and random lottery process will
take place on February 15, 2016.
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Parents will be notified of the results of the lottery electronically
the week of February 15th, 2016.
French Immersion Online Application
System
If your child is placed at your first choice of French Immersion
school(s), your child will NOT be placed on the waitlists of other
French Immersion schools. The French Immersion Online Application
System will provide an opportunity to verify your first choice.
Actions to take:
 Inform the principal of your child’s home school of your decision to
transfer to a French Immersion school.
 Next, register your child for the French Immersion before Friday
March 4, 2016.
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French Immersion Online Application
System
What does it mean if my child has obtained a placement other than my first choice
and is also waitlisted at other French Immersion schools?
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
Acceptance of the placement results in the removal from all other French
Immersion school waitlists.
Next steps: Inform the principal of your child’s home school of your decision to
transfer to a French Immersion school. Register your child for the French
Immersion before Friday March 4, 2016.

In the event that the placement is declined, waitlist rankings remain in effect
however, eventual placement in the French Immersion Program is not guaranteed.

Note: Failure to respond to a placement school before Friday March 4, 2016
within timelines will result in an automatic assignment at that school and
removal from all waitlist positions.
French Immersion Online Application
System
What should I do if my child did not receive a placement?
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In this case, your child has been waitlisted at all French
Immersion schools listed as choices at the time of application.
No action is required at this time. In the event that space
becomes available at a school, you will be contacted by a French
Immersion school after the end of March.
French Immersion Online Application
System
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
If a sibling is not successfully placed at the same French
Immersion school, application to transfer to that school can be
arranged following November Progress reports when Grade 1
French Immersion waitlists are no longer in effect.

After this time, applications to transfer to another French
Immersion school may be submitted for the first available space
and will be accepted on a first-come first-served basis.
French Immersion Online Application
System: Demonstration
https://dpcdsb-fi-reg.coresolutions.ca/sandbox/
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Required documentation
If you are coming from a Dufferin-Peel Catholic school:
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A Dufferin-Peel Transfer form from your child’s home school.
The email regarding lottery results (either paper or on your smartphone/tablet are acceptable).
Proof of age of the child (birth certificate or passport).
Original Roman Catholic baptismal certificate (for child and/or parent/guardian) or baptismal
certificate from an Eastern Rite Church in full communion with the Holy See of Rome. If the
child has not been baptized, and the parent/guardian is a baptized Roman Catholic or has
been baptized in an Eastern Rite Church in full communion with the Holy See of Rome, the
parent/guardian must bring their own baptismal certificate.
Updated immunization records (Immunization Card, Peel Health Form or Letter of Exemption).
Proof of Canadian citizenship (Birth Certificate/Passport) or permanent resident status of child.
Immigration documents if the child is a new immigrant who arrived to Canada less than 5 years
ago.
*All documentation must be submitted in English.
Required documentation
If you are coming from a school that is not in the Dufferin-Peel
Catholic District School Board:
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The email regarding lottery results (either paper or on your smartphone/tablet are acceptable).
Proof of age of the child (birth certificate or passport).
Original Roman Catholic baptismal certificate (for child and/or parent/guardian) or baptismal
certificate from an Eastern Rite Church in full communion with the Holy See of Rome. If the
child has not been baptized, and the parent/guardian is a baptized Roman Catholic or has
been baptized in an Eastern Rite Church in full communion with the Holy See of Rome, the
parent/guardian must bring their own baptismal certificate.
Updated immunization records (Immunization Card, Peel Health Form or Letter of Exemption).
Proof of Canadian citizenship (Birth Certificate/Passport) or permanent resident status of child.
Immigration documents if the child is a new immigrant who arrived to Canada less than 5 years
ago.
A tax transfer form.
*All documentation must be submitted in English.
Question Period
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Program Delivery
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
The Dufferin-Peel French Immersion program begins in Grade 1.

French Immersion delivers 4510 hours with French as the language of
instruction between Grades 1 and Grade 8.

French is the language of instruction for 90% of the total hours of
instructional time in Grade 1.
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French is the language of instruction for 70% of the total hours of
instructional time in Grades 2 and 3

French is the language of instruction for 50% of the total hours of
instructional time in Grades 4 though 8.