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16 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, December 21, 1977 Section Two French Immersion Project Increasingn opularity The struggle that some High School students face when they are introduced to the French course n grade nine is not going to hier : special class from aar Street Public SchI when they graduate out of public school. The class is special because it was the first group in the area to start their education in French at the kindergarten level. The French immersion pro- gram, first introduced at Ontario Street School in 1975, is a firmly established course now, receiving praise from both parents and educators. The public's\reaction to the French immersion concept was not always as open-mind- ed as it now is. After weathering the small con- troversy that it stirred when it was first proposed, the pro- gram is now settling down to more practical concerns. Bob Moorcroft, superintend- ent of schools for the board's western area, claims that immersion is the most effect- ive means available to teach- ers today for training students in French. The main premise of the course is that youngsters who spend the entire school day speaking a minimum of English have better odds of learning French than a student whose exposure is limited to 20 minutes per day. As a membçr of the North- umberland and Newcastle board's administration staff when the course was suggest- ed at a meeting in 1974, Mr. Moorcrof t gave full support to the concept. Although it was still in the experimental stage, staff and trustees travelled throughout the jurisdiction to poll the attitudes of parents. The move to bring the program to Bowmanville sprung up in discussions within the French committee. Enthusiastic The superintendent was con- vinced of the program's effectiveness after watching a Toronto class which was going through the course. Although he was enthusias- tic to implement the program in the jurisdiction on an experimental basis, there were serious questions facing the board before they could proceed, Mr. Moorcroft said. A crucial aspect was choosing a school that coulçl accomniodate the special class. After inviting parents interested in having their childreri enrolled to submit applications, the pilot project was launched in 1974 at C.R. Gummow Public School in Cobourg and the following year at Ontario Street. The former principal of C.R. Gummow, Wally Heinbuch, was another strong advocate of immersion from the begin- ning. Mr. Heinbuch, who trans- ferred from Cobourg to the Bowmanville school this year, taught in Ottawa before join- ing the Northumberland and Newcastle Board of Education seven years ago. Obtaining approval for the pilot project was only part of the process. The main diffi- culty was in the logisties of piecing the program together, he explained. The curriculum is offered strictly on a volunteer basis, with 20 students required for a class to allow the program to start. Research has uncovered a long list of advantages from the program as far fewer reasons for not introducing it on a wider scale From the academic point of view, Mr. Moorcroft pointed out, studies have shown that children learn as quickly and effectively as élassmates in equivalent grades of the regular course. Barriers The main barriers to intro- ducing it on a wide scale are purely practical. Facing educational eut- backs from-the government, no increase in their allotment of grants ,is expected to be designated within the next few years. Items such as extra classroom space and teachers for the program will probably remain in limbo until the spending restrictions are lifted. In the western area of the jurisdiction the course is offered at Ontario Street, with students coming from as far away as Port Perry to attend the class. Parents who live great distances away have formed car pools to cope with the lack of transportation provided to immersion students. Initially, another drawback was the scarcity of teachers for the program. More teachers, however, are taking training in the special course every year, filling the pre- vious gap in qualified in- structors. The Northumberland and Newcastle Board of Education one of the first administra- tions in the province to introduce immersion is look- ing at variations of the French program as well. At least one other board has opted for a late French immersion course which begins at the grade six level. With the success of the immersion program, the board has voted in favor of 200 minutes a day of French in grade seven and eight. Although some teachers would assert that it only scratches the surface, most immersion supporters look on it as at least a step in the right direction. Proving an effective teach- ing method, French immer- sion is offering students today an opportunity given to no other generation, allowing them to participate as fully bilingual citizens of Canada. Graduate Campbell Mark Simp- son received his honours Bachelor of Science degree, specializing in Biology, at the Fall Convocation, November 30, 1977, of the Universi- ty of Toronto. He is the oldest son of Pat and Rod Simpson, R. R. 1,, Enniskillen, Mark has accepted a position at the Radiation Protection Laboratories in Toronto. I} j))j Merry christmas and Happ from all of us at Glen Rae Da to in of youi Bill Wesselius; Doug Johnston Mel Hartwig; Elton Brock Murray -Cain; Morley FlintoffBob Stevens Murray Taylor; Jean McLean; Larry Welsh Clarence Devries, Lloyd Sta The Management and Staff of Glen Rae Dairy wish to announce that effective part of the Beatrice Quality Chekd family of Dai We have appreciated your business throughout 1977 and hope that you wiil c Cap Fairey; Bill Fair ainton; Albert Pearce Brian Metcalf; Doug Walker; Aif Webb Monday, December 19th, they became ries in Ontario. ontinue to patronize us in the New Year. iry New, Yeur