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Catholic board to pilot early immersion program By Tim Whitnell METROLAND WEST MEDIA GROUP Early French Immersion is coming to the Halton Catholic District School Board. The board will implement a pilot program at four regional sites, one in each municipality, with transportation provided, beginning September. Trustees approved the move at their most recent board meeting where staff reported one of the parameters of the pilot includes running the classes in a central location within existing classroom space. "Only as a last resort will accommodation costs be incurred," stated the report. The early immersion pilot program will be offered at the start of the next school year at four elementary sites -- St. Mary in Oakville, Sacred Heart in Burlington, St. Peter in Milton and St. Brigid in Georgetown. To start, there would be no more than two early immersion Grade 1 classes of 20 students at each site. Enrolment for the 2013-14 school year program is capped at 184 students. The pilot will cost nearly $500,000 -- $368,000 of that for busing and $200,000 for class materials. The total will be offset with $68,000 in new student grants from the Ministry of Education. The cost will be included in upcoming discussions about the board's 2013-14 overall budget. "Although this is an expense to the board, it adds a brand to the board and opportunities for increased enrolment," said supportive Halton Hills trustee John Mark Rowe. Milton trustee Diane Rabenda likes the program but cautioned parents should be made aware of the criteria, particularly in terms of residency. Board superintendent Jacqueline Herman noted if a student withdrew from Early French Immersion, the student would be expected to go back to their home school -- information to be included in registration forms. Moving the student back to their home school is necessary in order to "ensure the viability of the home school and English-language programs," said Education Director Michael Pautler. Parents can request the board to consider a student for cross-boundary status, which could enable them to go to the school of their choice. Last May, the Halton Catholic board conducted a survey on French Immersion and received 1,523 responses from current and future parents. Of the 1,324 people who commented on early and mid-immersion programming from the 1,523 responses, 87 per cent preferred the Grade 1 (early) entry point and 13 per cent at Grade 5 (mid). The Halton Catholic board currently offers core French and mid-immersion programs. Core French gives Grades 4-12 students a base of instruction in French, a minimum of 600 hours by the end of Grade 8. Mid-immersion is available at selected schools to pupils entering Grade 5. Registration is on a first come, first-served basis. The program's intention is to develop functionally bilingual students by teaching some courses in French. Students receive a minimum of 1,260 hours of French instruction by the end of Grade 8. Early immersion pupils would get at least 3,800 hours of French instruction by the end of Grade 8. Parent information evenings about Early French Immersion were held this week. The recommended registration date for the pilot program is Jan. 29, which the Catholic board says is in line with the Halton public board registration times. For more information, visit www.hcdsb.org. 7 · Thursday, January 17, 2013 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com FOREVER LOCATED Please join us IN for DOWNTOWN "Girls Night Out" BURLINGTON Thursday, Jan 25, 2013 · 6pm - 9pm · An evening to shop for a beach vacation · Help finding the perfectOFF swimsuit ·REGULAR Travel advice from Wanderlust Travel PRICED MERCHANDISE 3 DAYS ONLY · Light Refreshments Fri., Sep 28 to Sun, Sep 30, 2012 · Door Prizes Open on Sundays from 12:00pm the parking is FREE - 5:00pm and the parking is FREE Unit #4 389 Brant Street, Burlington ON L7R 2E9 Ph. 905-333-8300 Fax. 905-333-8302 Open on Sundays from 12:00pm - 4:00pm and r e m Sum Swimsuits & Beachwear 30% Unit #4 389 Brant Street, Burlington ON L7R 2E9 Ph. 905-333-8300 STOREWIDE TRIPLE 20% SALE* or Burlington ! W O W REG: PRICE $273999 Save 20%off EVERYTHING Save 20%+20%off or Save 20%+20%+20%off REG: PRICE $119999 ea. INTRODUCING... IN-STOCK SALE NOW $1399 *Table only 99 Only available at Thomasville Burlington SPECIAL FINANCING AVAILABLE Please see store for full details *SEE STORE FOR DETAILS LANE LEATHER MOTION RECLINERS NOW $54999 ea. THOMASVILLE BURLINGTON 2269 Fairview Street, Burlington Ph. 905-631-6000