INTRODUCTION TO EARLY FRENCH IMMERSION / EXTENDED FRENCH
PROGRAMS FOR PARENTS (2012 – 2013)
General information
The Upper Canada District School Board is committed to having French Immersion programs available to students across its
jurisdiction. All children are welcome to experience the opportunity to participate in the French Immersion program.
Where the program centre is feasible, transportation is available to students traveling from other schools to take part in the
Early French Immersion/Extended French program.
Entry Points
The Early French Immersion/Extended French program is a partial immersion program, meaning that 50% of the student’s
instruction is in the French language and 50% is in the English language. There are two possible entry points in the French
Immersion program, depending upon the various school communities:
1.
2.
Early French Immersion (Entry point in Junior or Senior Kindergarten and Grades1 and 2)
Extended French (Entry point in Grade 7)
Please note:


Students who are currently enrolled in the Early French Immersion or
Extended French Program and are continuing in the program do not need
to register again.
Students who are pre-registered on-line need not register again. If you are unsure,
please contact your home school.
Candidates for Immersion Program:
The decision to place a child in an Immersion/Extended program rests with the parents/guardians. When considering
whether or not your child is a good candidate for French Immersion, the following attributes should be taken into
consideration.
The child has:
✓ good oral skills
✓ good listening skills
✓ interest in the French language
✓ flexibility
✓ adaptability
✓ willingness to participate
✓ positive attitude
✓ supportive, encouraging parents
In most cases, parents should expect a period of adaptation, which may last until December. Since students learn at varied
paces and in their own ways, parents are encouraged to:




Reassure the child that uncertainty is to be expected;
Communicate with the teachers of French and English, on a regular basis to discuss progress and strategies;
Remind the child to ask the teacher for help;
Consider tutoring.
Occasionally, in spite of these supports, some students may still experience significant difficulty. In some circumstances,
students may uncover serious learning limitations or have well-documented language difficulties. In these situations, certain
learning needs may take precedence over the desire to participate in the French Immersion program. These students may be
more successful in an English program where the focus is on one language. This decision will be made in consultation with the
student’s parents/guardians, principal, French and English teachers and the Education Coordinator, Second Languages.
Commitment
Signing up for the Early French Immersion/Extended French program at this time indicates a firm commitment to the entire
program:
1.
2.
Early French Immersion – from Kindergarten through Grade 8
Extended French program – Grade 7 and Grade 8
Graduates from any of these programs should also plan on taking Extended or Immersion programs at the high school level.
To register for entry to a French program in your area, please go to our website at www.ucdsb.on.ca,
click on the button “It’s time to Pre-register for Kindergarten and French Programs” and select the
On-Line Form for Grade 7 Entry French Programs
If you are registering your child for Grade 5 or Grade 7 Entry Extended French…
-Child must currently be in Grade 4 or Grade 6

To check which school(s) your child is eligible to attend for the French program (select the
2012-13 school year) please use the School Seeker tool on the website

French programs offered - by family of schools 2012-13 French Programs by Family of Schools

French Information/Orientation Nights: Calendar of Events

French Program Information

2011-2012 School Contact List
To find a school in your area, please follow this link to find a detailed list of schools as well as a map of the
UCDSB: School Contact Information
SUBJECT ALLOCATION IN THE
EARLY FRENCH IMMERSION / EXTENDED FRENCH PROGRAM
In all three French programs, the subject allocation is the same. A list of subjects for English and
French classes is provided in order to offer guidance and clarification for parents, students and
teachers.
Subjects Taught In French
(50% of Instruction)
Language Arts
Health & Physical Education
The Arts (except Music)
Social Studies (Grades 1 – 6)
History & Geography (Grades 7 – 8)
Subjects Taught In English
(50% of Instruction)
Language Arts
Mathematics
The Arts (Music)
Science & Technology
This allocation enables you, as a parent, to continue to support your child at home in subjects such as
Mathematics and Science.
Other Valuable Information
1. All expectations for subjects taught in French or in English within the Early French Immersion /
Extended French Program will come from The Ontario Curriculum for English schools.
2. Assessment and Evaluation are an intrinsic part of the curriculum and reflect the child’s
progress in the acquisition of the second language, as well as the expectations addressed in the
subject documents.
3. Communication between the English and French teachers is important, as they plan together
which expectations are addressed in each language, as well as which expectations can be
taught in both languages.
4. The Elementary Progress Report/Provincial Report Cards will be completed by the English and
French teachers according to the subjects they teach, but the area of Learning Skills and Work
Habits should be completed by both teachers. A comment written by each teacher will reflect
any specific skill which needs to be addressed.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
EARLY FRENCH IMMERSION / EXTENDED FRENCH PROGRAM
1.
Will all Elementary Early French Immersion / Extended French program students receive transportation?
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
2.
All Early French Immersion / Extended French program students will be transported, according to current
Board policy.
If your child lives in the boundary of his/her home school, then you will be provided transportation to the
designated French centre. Those within walking distance of the centre will continue to walk.
If a student takes Early French Immersion / Extended French at the designated French centre, can all of their
siblings attend the centre as well?

No. Only the student taking Early French Immersion / Extended French may attend the Early French
Immersion / Extended French Centre for the following reasons:
a.
b.

3.
Siblings may apply through the Cross Boundary Transfer Process. They may be admitted subject to the
availability of space and at no additional cost to the Board (i.e., Additional staff). Transportation,
however, will not be provided.
Must students attend the Early French Immersion / Extended French Centre designated in the enrolment
package or can they access another Early French Immersion / Extended French Centre?

4.
Students must access designated centres.
Can Early French Immersion / Extended French students apply for cross boundary transfer to another Early
French Immersion / Extended French Centre if they wish? Will transportation be provided if they are allowed?

They will be subject to the usual cross boundary restrictions:
a.
b.
c.
5.
availability of space;
transportation will not be provided;
there must be no additional costs to the Board (i.e., staffing).
Can Early French Immersion / Extended French students receive special education or remedial help?

6.
To maintain the viability of the community schools;
To maintain space at the Early French Immersion / Extended French Centre for students
entitled to attend.
Yes. Students with special needs may access special education or remedial help.
If a student was not enrolled in Early French Immersion in Kindergarten, can he/she access French Immersion
in Grade 1?

Yes. A student can begin French Immersion in Grade 1, as Kindergarten is not a compulsory program.