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Public school board answers the call for French Immersion continued from p.1 The existing Grade 7 extended French program offered at Sir E. MacMillan P .S. in Burlington will remain in effect until Sept. 2017 so students currently in Grade 4 and 5 -- who will miss the proposed Grade 5 extended French entry -- can still enter the existing extended French program. A lack of early childhood educators proficient in French means French Immersion classes will not be offered in either Junior or Senior Kindergarten. Another proposed recommendation is for French to be a core subject in Grades 1-3 instead of the current Grade 4 starting point. Currently, students in Grades 4-8 receive 200 minutes per week of French, which gives them 600 hours of French by Grade 9. The recommendations headed to the board tonight were compiled based on input from teachers, board representatives and parents and included the results of a questionnaire filled out by parents in June. Based on a desire by parents to see students receive core French instruction at an earlier age, effective during the 2014-15 school year, it's being recommended students receive 40 minutes per week of French instruction in Grades 1-3 in 16 schools across Halton. That will increase to 120 minutes per week in Grade 4, 160 minutes in Grade 5 and 200 minutes in Grades 6-8. The total accumulated number of hours by Grade 8 will remain unchanged under the proposal, which will be reviewed by June 2018. Students in Grade 1 French Immersion studies will continue to receive 50 per cent of their instruction in English. A Grade 5 entry point with a 50-50 balance of English and French instruction ensures stuReal Estate, Bamboo Legend, Oakville United Taxi, Atmosphere, Staples, Bouclair, West of the City, Sheridan Nurseries, Peoples, Home Depot, XS Cargo, Henry's Cameras 3 | Wednesday, November 6, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com dents have 1,260 hours of French before Grade 9 so they can continue extended French studies in high school. Surging interest in French Immersion is forcing the board to consider options for a declining English-only enrolment in some elementary schools, including redirecting students to other schools and capping French Immersion enrolment. This year, Grade 1 students at Bur- lington's Pineland school were sent to another school for their English program. A lack of dedicated classroom space for French core programs has forced teachers to move from room to room, creating a less than desirable environment. Plans also call for the board to develop a long-term recruitment plan to ensure qualified French teachers are hired to meet the need. Shhhh... Oakville's Best Kept Secret. inside today's Editorial Sports Beaver www.insideHALTON.com 6 26 Artscene Classified 24 29 The Highest Quality,The Lowest Price. Guaranteed. *All flyers not necessarily delivered to all homes For home delivery & customer service call 905-631-6095, 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington New subscriptions call 905-631-6095 or subscribe online @ www.oakvillebeaver.com 309 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville 905.339.7604 · www.omnijewelcrafters.com *Subject to prior sale and may be terminated at any time. NOVEMBER SPECIAL! Buy this 7 pc dining set and Helping You Make Smart Decisions About Your Money Voted Number 1 Financial Planner 10 Years get Counter stools from the same collection 2 FREE TABLE: 58 X 42 X 30 WITH (1) 20" LEAF EXTENDS TO 78 INCHES Peter Watson MBA, CFP, R.F.P., CIM, FCSI Certified Financial Planner SINCE 1991 OPEN SUNDAYS ­ 11AM- 4PM 220 Randall Street · Downtown Oakville Phone: 905.842.2100 www.peterwatsoninvestments.com OAKVILLE 905-845-6556 · 427 SPEERS RD. UNIT 6 www.palmabrava.com (BETWEEN DORVAL & 4TH LINE)