STOP the proposed changes to Kindergarten & EFI at OCDSB

Honestly, no comments. This action should be stopped before it causes any harm to the children.

10 years ago Featured

These recommendations are not based on research. In fact, they contradict research that shows the benefits of French immersion, even for children with learning difficulties. I do not support this initiative.

I absolutely am opposed to the changes proposed in Report 15-108 until the claims of current negative impacts, and claims of benefits for re-structuring can be supported empirically.

This change needs more time to be studied. I personally do not agree with the elimination of math taught in French as it will water down the program.

If the school board wants to reduce French language training from Grade 1, then this must be supported by an increase in French training in subsequent years. I've grown disappointed in the EFI program from Grade 4 with only 60% of time in French. What they gain in the intense early immersion in Grades 1-3 doesn't grow. Any changes to the EFI program need to be looked at across the entire program offering.

As a former public servant who struggled to get government French at a C level in order to head a small unit, I say we need all the French-language training in schools as we can get, not less but more.

Please keep the French Immersion program intact. It's a very beneficial one for the students' future. I feel very strongly about this.

This proposal needs MORE time for fulsome consultation with staff and parents. We have just adapted our schools to provide FDK. This feels like too much too soon.

The future of the children is the first priority, not the money bottom line. Don't break an amazing program, please

Stop watering down the EFI program!!! This is not the way to promote smaller classroom sizes. You're just going to end up with a further mix of French ability levels in JK/SK etc. classes...more frustrating for teachers, ECEs, parents, kids. Resources will tend to go to most struggling students...Not fair to anybody & will not promise the boost in French enrollment or quality at higher grades. If these changes go through, I'm switching my child into French public school & will even move my tax dollars to the Catholic Board for their French program. False advertising of EFI when signed up at current school. Not impressed!

Please vote no!

It is poor practice to use only the evidence that supports a budget line, ignoring the evidence that supports children. Canada has not done well in educating its English speaking children in French in the past. Going backwards does not make sense. Kids deserve the opportunity for full immersion - the best way to become fluent - and watering it down serves no one and puts kids at a disadvantage in the future. Please vote against reducing the hours of french instruction. Children come first.

Please keep a true French immersion program so that children can actually be fluent in French!

It is vitally important that our children have access to full French immersion for their future.

Please don't water down my only option for French education even further!

The presentation of consultation findings seems to be missing a lot of information.

Instead of Math in English at the primary level, return to Math in French at the junior level So much accidental vocabulary development will be lost and the reading and writing material will become too difficult because of this decision. Let's not call it Immersion anymore....

Bilingualism is one of the many reasons that I am happy to be raising my son in Ottawa. Please don't take this opportunity away from him.

We need a change

This OCDSB proposal is driven by funding and staffing issues not by the desire to improve student learning.