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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, March 22, 2012 · 10 Parents call for a policy on French Immersion Continued from page 4 schools requires small class sizes. This will require more teachers overall and the increase to teacher salaries based on this proposal is not fiscally responsible," she said. Additionally, there is a cost of creating French libraries. By adding two French Immersion centres, the board would be required to add two librar- ies with French material. "The creation of two identical libraries when one is needed is not fiscally responsible," she said. Furthermore, she added having multiple classes in a school allows them to share classroom resources when they co-ordinate to not teach the same subject at the same time of day. "This sharing of resources, both PRE SEASON SALE LIMITED QUANTITY PER MONTH $29 FROM $ 1000 OFF High efficiency A/C Don't pay til Fall of 2012 *See dealer for details OVER 120,000 SATISFIED CUSTOMERS Best Price Best Service Same Day Installation Available Eligible for O.P.A. & Manufacturer Rebate 9 Locations To Serve You Better! THE FORECAST CALLS FOR French and English, will not be possible in the proposed scenario as there will not be two classes in each grade in French Immersion," she said. On top of that, putting on French presentations, with guest speakers and activities, will cost more to do at two schools, rather than one. Another parent, Sheila Keay, with a child in the gifted program at Pilgrim Wood, was concerned about the special education program at the school. The director's recommendation would maintain the gifted program at Pilgrim Wood, but would move the special education communication program to Abbey Lane. Though her daughter, who is in Grade 2, is in the gifted program, she is learning disabled in reading and writing and has struggled in school prior to getting into the selfcontained gifted program. "When a little kid is not coping in school it crushes them," Keay said. "The creation of two identical libraries when one is needed is not fiscally responsible." Kim Rougier, Oakville resident Now that she's in the gifted program, Keay said her child is finally thriving and is excited about going to school. "I credit this transformation almost exclusively to her participation in the special education gifted program at Pilgrim Wood," she said. "Special education is a big part of Pilgrim Wood. There's a real depth in special education teaching. It would be such a shame to cause that critical mass to be dismantled. I think moving the special education programs out of Pilgrim Wood would expose the children to instability and may jeopardize their future success." There were various concerns and suggestions raised at the meeting. A number of parents asked trustees to create policy around French Immersion programing similar to other jurisdictions that could cap the program. Parents were also concerned a similar review could happen in a few years time, as this one is only three years after a similar one, and asked trustees to create stable boundaries so this could be avoided. Editor's Note: Due to press deadlines, The Oakville Beaver's coverage of the Wednesday night decision should appear in its Friday edition. HEATING & COOLING 905-849-4998 A+ RATING For the latest news visit the Oakville Beaver at oakvillebeaver.com or insidehalton.com www.aireone.com · 1-888-827-2665 Executive Education at the DeGroote School of Business welcomes to Burlington Are you ready to bring clarity to your business? To begin a new era of focused leadership that will inspire excellence throughout your organization? Then you're ready to D'Think. Bring your business challenges and we will show you a clear, simplified way of looking at the problems and seeing what's probably already right in front of you ­ easy, effective solutions. With Disney Institute, you can learn to think differently. Are you ready? Executive Education at the DeGroote School of Business welcomes to the Burlington Convention Centre execed.degroote.mcmaster.ca/disney April 25, 2012, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. $495.00 +HST 905-525-9140 x 26372