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The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, April 28, 1976 Bowmanvlle Delegation Objects To Minimum Class Size of 24 in Bd's French Immersion by Foster M. Russell Twenty-four, the minimum A class size for French im- mersion in the continuing program, induced strong ob- jection from a Bowmanville. delegation, present at the April 22 meeting of Northum- berland and Newcastle Board of Education, Thursday in Cobourg. Dr. John Higginson, spokes- man, stated that on February 12, 1976, the Board passed a motion to continue French immersion through Grade Eight for those students enrol- led in September 1976. "A subsequent motion to FR/ENDS /T ISNT MA6C,6OODNESS NO, JUST A BETTER GASOLINE W!D £ /K! YO70 KNOW Francis Tennant Fuels R R.1, Orono, Ont. 983-5693 reconsider the program was withdrawn on March 11," Dr. Higgonson continued, "and the French Committee was in- structed to make a recom- mendation regarding a real- istic class size." "The members of the French Committee have all spent many hours studying the data available on all types of second-language training. They are members of this Board best qualified to speak knowledgeably on the subject of bilingual education. Recommendations "The committee presented recommendations onhApril eight: that the class have a minimum of 20 students. We feel that this was a fair recommendation ensuring a class size large enough to be economically justified.' "At the present time there are 50 English Grade One classes in the western area with an enrolment of between 20 and 25. Two more classes contain fewer than 20. Surely, a minimum class size of 20 is not unrealistic for the first area class in a pilot project! Board Says Twenty-four Subsequently, an amend- ment was made by the Board, in which the minimum size of class for this project would be 24. In commenting on this latest ruling, Dr. Higginson said apparently the purpose of the amendment was to compen- sate for "present dropout rate". Tt tOOur GoldedalaBanker about home furnishings meant alottous. co come in and Gold Medal you - Dick, Whatever your dream may be talk it over with your local Bankers. We shall be pleased to assist Dave, Mike, Don, Willy, Jackie, Donna, Yvonne, Barb, Gayle, Sharon, Pat, Jili, Joanne, Doreen, Jean, Diane and Susan. Good things-happenwitha GoldMed aB er.Let's talk. ýM The First Canadian Bank Bankof Montreal 2 King St. W. Bowmanville Telephone 623-4411 Program He pointed out: "Let us examine the present dropout rate by looking at our only comparable case, the present Grade One Class in Cobourg. This class began in September with 28 students. Today, there are 27 students. Present indications are that 27 stu- dents will enrol in Grade Two. "The dropout," Dr. Higgin- son stressed, "that occurs in French immersion classes is before Grade One, and for a number of reasons, very seldom due to a shortcoming in the immersion concept. Situation Deplored "We deplore the fact that a decision was made when the chairman of the French Com- mittee was unable to be present to defend his commit- tee'sorecommendation, and vote on the crucial matter (Trustee Ian Wilson, chair- man,;is absent for some weeks due to governmental assign- ment). Cutoff Date Dr. Higginson urged the Board notý to enforce the suggested cutoff date of April 30. "Many new applicants for Grade One may be expected before September. A summer school program in oral French is being made available in Bowmanville. There is also a French immersion camp in Oshawa for July and August. Children attending these groups may well qualify for entry in Immersion Grade One. Indeed, several parents have expressed their interest in following this route. Atmosphere Dr. Higginson asked the Board to proceed without delay to engage a teacher for next September. "Already," he 'said, "one qualified teacher has been lost due to the atmosphere of uncertainty. A Grade One teacher needhave no fear of unemployment in 1977. The next year Grade"One class is almost certain to outnumber this year's." Shift in Emphasis The spokesman from Bow- manville cited the report of Commissioner Spicer on Official Languages, remind- ing the Board that failure of adult training in the second language, especially at the civil-servant level, has brought entirely new empha- sis on such training at the school level. Prime Minister Trudeau agreed with Commissioner Spicer, that the easiest way to promote biligualism is to teach both English and French in the schools. Secretary of State Hugh Faulkner, in discussion with Ontario Education Minister Tom Wells, said that the Federal Government is pre- pared to pay provinces up to 50 per cent of the extra cost of establishing or expanding second language instruction in the schools. Seven Volume Report Dr. Higginson said a seven volume report (Ontario Min- istry of Education) is based on a two-year study of the immersion system in Ottawa- Carleton schools. La the re- port, the immersion systemais described as an almost fault- less method of teaching French while maintaining English skills. "As you see," concluded Dr. Higginson, "the Northumber- land and Newcastle Board of Education is taking part in an educational adventure which, while relatively new, is cer- tainly not experimental. "Second language training by the immersion method is being proven around the world. Please give it the chance to prove itself here." Points were Gained Points were gained in the presentation, the deadline of April 30 was set aside, and an "open-end" agreement was reached. Trustee Sheppard, in reply to Dr. Higginson's statement about the board making a decision on French Immersion while the Chairman, Trustee Wilson, was absent, replied that Dr. Wilson was away from the Board for three weeks and the business of the Board could not be delayed. Fairly Obvious Dr. Higginson said that the delegation deplored the action of the Board in not accepting the Wilson Report. It was fairly obvious that there was an attempt among some Board members to kill the program in Bowmanville. This was the second attempt. Trustee Carman said that he had moved the amendment (for 24 in class), not because the chairman wasn't here, but there was no guarantee in the pilot project, and a great many unknowns. "If you can get the federal government to put its money where its mouth is, then I will shut up.'" Dr. Higginson said he did flot agree as to guaranteedin numbers, it was fairly obvious that the government at Ottawa is interested. Higginson felt that a minimum ciass of 20 was feasible, economicaiiy. Asking Questions Director of Education Frank Thom had reviewed Board policy in dealing with dele- gations. At this juncture Chairman of the Board, CV. Johnson, reminded members that they were to ask ques- tions, but refrain from making statements. 'l'Il have to be pretty careful," remarked Trustee (Mrs.) H. Reisler. "l'Il be ruled out of order. I favor a class of 20. Why French? Trustee Walker asked the spokesman for French Im- mersion, why French was so favored. Dr. Higginson replied that the delegation was pressing for the best education possible for the children, a part of which was bilingualism. He said there would not be great difficulty with the "24 mini- mum", but there was an application of principle. Some people were moving from Quebec to Bowmanville, said Trustee Walker. Dr. Higginson agreed that this would be an advantage for the French class. A hypothetical question was asked by Trustee George Blyth. If Dr. Higginson were 'n Quebec would he advocate teaching of French or English. The answer was French. Mr. Blyth said it would seem then that anyone who opposed this was wrong? Dr. Higginson replied: "W disagree, but we don't dis- agree with anyone's right tc disagree." Speak Freely Trustee Thompson askec Chairman Johnson if he couic speak freely at this time. The chairman said there were twc factions, for an against. Mr Thompson could make bis statement after the coffee break. How Many? How many families woukc be coming from Quebec asked Trustee Worden. Dr Higginson said there were five here now and 21 to come, ir ail. Director of Education Thom, referring to the figure of 24 in French Immersion class, said that in the system the teacher-pupil ratio was 24-1. But this does not mean that every class has to have 24 students. Some have 3Q; some less than 24. Application Forms Trustee Humphreys asked the delegation if there was difficulty in filling out the application forms. Some confusion, offered Dr. Higginson. "Ilt is not a pilot project any longer," ventured the Trustee. Superintendant of Instruc- tion H.R. Moorcroft replied that the forms for French immersion had been prepared several months ago. Since that time there were many motions and amendments at Board meetings. Mr. Thompson Trustee Thompson said he had every sympathy with this group. The children would receive valuable basic know- ledge. He had never been in favor of French classes half- hour daily. This was not satisfactory for learning. There have been exceptional results in immersion class. He regretted that the full comple- ment of the Board had not been present for the vote, and had every sympathy with this group. Trustee Reisler felt that the delegation had a great deal of right on its side. "We did start with 20 as a minimum. Since then it bas been an off and on business, a dance around the table, and a hot and cold time in getting teachers. I don't agree with a minimum of 24." Referring to the April 30 date, proposed as cutoff, Trustee Worden said there was no time limit in the beginning. Trustee Thompson pointed out that in proper assessment, a pilot project could not be carried forward successfully in less than three years. He thought that the decision on the class could be left until the end of May, the cutoff date had been proposed but had not been set. Pilot Project Trustee Humphreys said he had perceived early in his term of office, that a motion is considered to be carried; it was not now a case of supporting the motion, but why did Mr. Thom consider this was a pilot project. In Mr. Thom's view, the French Immersion was a pilot project. The purpose of the pilot project was to determine if it was good for the whole jurisdiction. In a year from now it will be discussed again. It is still a pilot project. Chairman Johnson said the confusion should be cleared in the application forms. Trustee Walker said that he had read something about 50 per cent grant. Had the Administration received any word? Mr. Thom replied that there were a few things in the press that just don't come out as they are. Regarding the project, Mr. Moorcroft said that it had been made clear by Dr. Wilson in the beginning that the undertaking was a pilot pro- ject. Mr. Patterson Superintendent of Planning D.W. Patterson, in reference to Bowmanville, said that only 18 were committed for next year. He was interested to hear that there was a larger number. Unless there were 24, the principal of the school was not likely to offer the contract to an individual teacher. Mr. Thom said it had been indicated by Dr. Higginson there would be 24 for the class. Trustee Thompson said five families had arrived from Quebec, one was interested in the French program. Other families may not arrive until the end of the year. Twenty-two have applied, said Dr. Higginson, but one was frustrated with the con- troversy and withdrew. Chairman Johnson stressed that a date and deadline for the number in the class had to be set. Trustee Cameron ventured that if a teacher of French had been hired, and the pilot project had to be cancelled because of lack of response, that teacher could teach English? Mr. Patterson replied that it would be difficult to try to answer Mr. Cameron's question, but "people are not going to come to teach, in an indefinite type of situation." Open-Ended April 30 cutoff date was disregarded., May 31 was proposed by Trustees Walker and Thompson. Is this workable? Area Superintendent J.D. Gowing was asked. It could be workable. There was opposition to deadline of May 31. It should be "open-ended" was the conclusion. Here Endeth Here endeth the latest discussion on French Im- mersion in Northumberland and Newcastle. No doubt it will continue in serial form The Senior Citizens met at the Lions Centre on Tuesday, April 13th with the president Mr. Skinner in the chair. After singing "O Canada", a from month to month so long as the end remains open! short business meeting was conducted and Mr. Skinner asked the members to bring in some suggestions as to holiday trips or picnics etc., during the summer. At the conclusion of the business meeting, a very Senior Citizens Meeting entertaining program ol quartettes, trios, duets, and piano solos was provided by Mr. and Mrs.'Glenn and their family, Shirley, Steven and Nancy, who are to be con- gratulated on the fine musical ability and high standard of music they have attained. Their efforts were truly appreciated. A social hour and very generous lunch followed. THE uUa~ C hoiPC We have moved. We cordially invite you to come in and browse in our new shop located at 80 King Street West, Bowmanville. 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