HomeMy WebLinkAbout11a Delegation Laura Bilyk and Stephanie Appotive re Introduction of French Immersion Program at Rideau HS7467834 RIDEAU HS 977 P03 JAN 06 '00 13:52
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Proposal: That Rideau High School introduce programming beyond Core French in the next
school year. We submit the following rationale for our request:
Rideau students, School Council, and staff are strong advocates of the community school concept,
and of equitable access to a broad range of French programming for all students in the Ottawa -
Carleton District School Board. These views were expressed in our students' presentation to the
Education Committee- Program Review, on January 5, 1999 and again this January 10, 2000.
Our school community agrees with the BilinguaUImmersion Certificate Review Committee that, "on
the eve of the new millennium, the Ottawa- Carleton District School Board's FSL curriculum mandate
to prepare students to communicate effectively with others in the world acknowledges that a
recognized fluency in French will give our students a competitive advantage both nationally and
internationally."
The committee also highlights the fad that "Ottawa, being the Nation's Capital..., attracts a great
number of cultures from. all over the world as well as numerous government ministries and
international high -tech industries... and is the home of embassies". Rideau's population, in the heart
of French- speaking Ottawat Vanier, certainty reflects the diversity of cultures and represents a good
number of embassies in the area.
Rideau students too, would Lice the "competitive advantage" that additional French programs will
provide their counterparts for the next century. Only four " mainstream" secondary schools in the
OCDSB do not offer either Extended or immersion French programs. Only Rideau, in its cluster
of schools (Glebe, Lugar, Rideau) is so disadvantaged. With the introduction of additional French
programming, Rideau students will immediately have the same opportunities as the majority of
students in the system.
Rideau High School is ideally suited to accommodate new programs. The Attendance
Boundary /Area Review /School Closure Study has indicated that Rideau is under utilized. Our facility
is exceptionally well- equipped to meet the needs of additional students with state -of- the -art computer
labs, large music rooms, drama studio, greenhouse and recently - renovated science labs. Our Cisco
Program, our vibrant Spanish program, our innovative Cooperative Education program, our
renowned China Connection, and our in -house yearbook production would offer additional
opportunities for students redirected to Rideau for a French Immersion/Extended French Program.
As indicated in Senior Staff's report to the Education Committee (99 -001) it is recommended that
"there be an extended or a bilingual program in every secondary school, as deemed appopriate by the
Principal in consultation with the school council and approved by Director's Council of
Superintendents ".
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In that same report it is indicated that principals and school councils need "to share their intentions
with staff and trustees very early in the planning stages". We have indeed met with our trustee and
have her full support. At this time we ask for your approval to proceed immediately with plans to
implement programming beyond Core French. We have approached the Planning Department, our
feeder schools and our School Superintendent to guide us in our implementation strategy.
We know that we have the critical mass necessary to introduce and sustain a French Immersion
program. We have the commitment of staffto deliver the pmp m. We have an administration eager
and expenieuoed in the implemesrtatiotn and delivery ofthe program. We have a School Council which
yn rses this �f action for an implementation date of September, 2000.
Chair ofRideau School Council
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