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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, March 23, 2012 · 10 Capping French Immersion not a board policy a Grade 3 class to the school would result in a lead class of only 15 students. Hlusko said she could not support such a small lead class because she saw what had happened at one of her community schools with a similar scenario. "We tried to support a small leading class and it all fell apart very quickly," she said. Associate director Jeff Blackwell explained to trustees what had happened to that cohort at Alexander's Public School. Due to optional enrolment -- where students were allowed to attend school elsewhere -- class numbers trickled down over the years. By the end, the class had only three students, who at the start of this year were asked if they would like to continue attending Alexander's or to transfer to John William Boich Public School. An amendment tabled and approved, which states that should the leading FI class at Pilgrim Wood reach fewer than three students per gender or, if there is concern for the well-being of those students, then the director is to bring a resolution to the board table. Continued from page 5 "Our expenditures are less than the revenues that we receive for French Immersion." Lucy Veerman, superintendent of business, Halton District School Board Near the end of the night, Hlusko also brought a notice of motion to the board that she will ask trustees to approve a similar policy for all schools and for all programs. This will be voted on at a later board meeting. Trustees added another amendment to the boundary vote. The amendment was to begin FI at Pilgrim Wood with Grade 3 as a lead class. Staff said there is sufficient space at Pilgrim Wood for those extra students and it would further help alleviate enrolment pressures at Forest Trail. However, it created an even smaller lead class at the school, which, as a result of attrition, could result in a new problem. The amendment was passed. Another concern raised by parents was addressed by trustees at the meeting. The original recommendation asked for the removal of the language class from Pilgrim Wood and moving it to Abbey Lane Public School. However, trustees amended the motion to have the language class be phased out of Pilgrim Wood into Abbey Lane over a period of three to four years. With a number of concerns raised by parents during the course of the review, trustees asked board staff to explain several components. Staff members were asked about the cost to the board for providing French Immersion. Superintendent of business Lucy Veerman told trustees the board receives funding from the Province for teachers, course materials and transportation just as it does for the English programs and result in a financial surplus to the board. "Our expenditures are less than the revenues that we receive for French Immersion," she said. When asked about capping the FI program enrolment as some other nearby school boards have done, staff said there are challenges to doing so, as well. Euale said some boards do cap the program at individual schools but allow students above the cap to change schools through optional attendance. "It just moves the students to other French Immersion schools," he said. However, he noted it does help reduce the FI enrolment numbers, as some students may be unwilling to change schools. Furthermore, board staff told trustees that capping FI is not a policy at the Halton board as there has been no such direction given by trustees. With concerns raised about moving children around, staff told trustees the board sets up transition teams for the areas affected to help smooth out the school change. Further, there will be activities planned for the FI students entering the new schools to have them interact with their English cohorts. For the entire ward boundary document, visit www.hdsb.ca. YOUR NEW FAVOURITE CONTEMPORARY RESTAURANT AND BAR FEATURING OUR CHEF-DRIVEN MENU PREPARED BY EXECUTIVE CHEF SAM GIRGIS *LUNCH*DINNER*COCKTAILS*NIGHTLIFE* 24+ DRESS FASHIONABLY | MGMT RESERVES DISCRETION DJ AFTER 10PM 24+ DRESS FASHIONABLY | MGMT RESERVES DISCRETION DJ AFTER 10PM `Like' us and enter to win one of 25 $25.00 Gift Certificate prizes given out weekly to come try us out for the first time 3330 South Service Road, Burlington, ON, L7N 3M6 info@ivybar.ca | www.ivybar.ca | 905.333.IVY1 (4891) An Independently owned DGC ENTERTAINMENT Property Follow Us On Facebook facebook.com/ivybarandkitchen @ivybarkitchen OPENING FOR LUNCH AND WEEKEND BRUNCH IN APRIL 2012 FOR THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF OUR 5000 SQUARE FOOT GARDEN IVY PATIO