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2 7 | Thursday, December 8, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Parents scramble to save Early FI a t Catholic board by Kathy Yanchus Metroland West Media Parents of children in the Halton Catholic District School Board' s Early French Immersion (EFI) program are scrambling to save it from the chopping block. A vote to discontinue the EFI pilot program established four years ago in favour of increasing the extended French program (which begins in Grade 5), was deferred by trustees at the Nov. 15 board meeting to Dec. 20 to give parents an opportunity to delegate at the Dec. 6 board meeting. That decision came after EFI parents contacted several trustees in advance of the Nov. 15 meeting to express their concern and anger at being "kept in the dark" about the upcoming vote. "We have literally had no communication from the board about this change; the only way people have found out is through our own investigation," said parent Kim Ramsahoye, whose daughter attends the EFI program at St. Mary School in Oakville. "It' s a lack of transparency on the board' s side. There has been very, very little concern about how parents are feeling about the program. It' s all happening so quickly." Currently, EFI is offered at four schools: St. Benedict (Milton), Sacred Heart of Jesus (Burlington), St. Brigid (Halton Hills) and St. We've had literally no communication from the board about this change; the only way people have found out is through our own investigation. It's a lack of transparency on the board's side. There has been very, very little concern about how parents are feeling about the program. It's all happening too quickly. Kim Ramsahoye Parent in the situation we are at, but we have to face our reality and make some plans for the future and taking a look at where we're at seemed to be something we needed to consider," commented Anna Prkacin, superintendent of education, curriculum services. In response to Oakville trustee Anthony Quinn' s query about communication to parents of current EFI students with the study' s results, Prkacin said she believed protocol called for the trustees to hear the information first, "and then it is public and disseminated through the various channels.. . " see Online on p.28 H e a r in g Sc ie n c e s Audiology and Hearing Aid Centre Give the gift of BETTER HEARING Mary with a total enrolment of 670 students. In phasing out the program the board cited issues of the lack of qualified teachers, equity of access to the program and transportation costs, in its French Sustainability Study. "These are all very real concerns," said St. Mary EFI parent Gillian Kantor. "However, we believe there are solutions to each." Ongoing demand for the EFI program and its pilot status prompted the review of the board' s optional French programs to determine their sustainability and examine various options, states the study. Staff' s recommendation to phase out EFI in favour of a more `hybrid' model is a compromise that allows it "to offer French to more students earlier." "We are certainly quite saddened that we are Spending time with family and friends is one of the greatest joys of the holiday season. A hearing loss can be very isolating. It can create frustration for both you and your family. We can help you hear better and participate in the fun. Take action this holiday so you will be able to HEAR the punchline of a joke, a grandchild's song, your son's travel story or your daughter's new job experience. The new OPN hearing aids process sound more like the brain does improving speech understating, memory and reducing listening effort. Be part of the holiday fun! Take action to prevent mental decline with a no obligation 2 week TEST DRIVE* of the OPN hearing aid (limited availability) Call (905)465-3277 to book your complimentary hearing test- ($60 value. Age 55+) *Wear the OPN hearing aid for 2 weeks without payment to prove the benefit for yourself OAKVILLE 2419 Marine Drive iT o X sflfiS WIN A $250 Gift Card to your favourite Dorval Crossing Store! Enter at www.dorvalcrossing.com Contest Ends December 31st, 2016 Over 60 Shops & Services located at the QEW & Dorval Drive Visit dorvalcrossing.com for more information D n r v a l C r ^ in g -Jt'i' f i l l Bentall Kennedy "