New plan delivering the same class time for French 11 | Thursday, November 14, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com continued from p.8 By introducing French as a core subject for Grades 1-3, students would still receive the same amount of French instruction by the time they get to high school, but class time would be spread over three additional years. Currently, students in Grades 4-8 receive 200 minutes per week of French, which totals 600 hours of French instruction by the time they enter high school. Based on a desire for parents to have their children receive core French instruction at an earlier age, effective during the 2014-15 school year, it's being recommended students receive 40 minutes per week of French instruction in Grades 1-3 in 16 schools across the Region in Oakville, Burlington, Milton and Halton Hills. That will increase to 120 minutes per week in Grade 4, 160 minutes in Grade 5 and 200 minutes in Grades 6-8. "We are not adding to the core French time," Blackwell said. "Students will have the minutes they must have by the end of Grade 8 by stretching them into the primary area and reducing some time in Grades 4 and 5. "The goal is exposure, interest and engagements whether it's 40 minutes or 80 minutes. That's the key driver for our students," said the associate director. The surging interest in French Immersion is also forcing board members to consider several different options for declining English-only enrolment numbers in some elementary schools, including redirecting students to other schools, but Blackwell told board members that capping isn't being recommended. For this school year, in response to low English enrolment, a triple grade (1-2-3) class was organized at EW Foster with English students re-directed from Pineland to another neighbouring school for their English classes. A blended Grade 1-2 class was also created at Martin Street Public School. WIN A $1,000 SHOPPING SPREE! NOVEMBER 1524 We've made your holiday shopping easy with our Gift of Perfect Guide, available at oakvilleplace.com and pinterest.com. Head to the Gift of Perfect lounge in Centre Court to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list! Tell us your favourite item in the Gift of Perfect Guide, and you could win a RioCan Oakville Place shopping spree or daily prizes!* Purchase an item from our Gift of Perfect Guide, and you'll double your chances to win the $1,000 shopping spree! EACH DAY WE'LL FEATURE A NEW PRIZE IN OUR LOUNGE, WHICH MEANS A NEW CHANCE TO WIN EVERY DAY! *See Guest Services for full contest details. oakvilleplace.com 905-842-2140