What Is French Immersion?

French Immersion(short for FI) is a program designed:

• For the children of parents who do not speak French;
• To provide English-speaking children with opportunities to become highly proficient in French as well as in English; and
• To provide your child with high quality education in both French and English, within the Public School Board.

How Would French Immersion Benefit My Child?

• Children learn a second language more easily when they start at an earlier age.
• The Early French Immersion curriculum (starting in SK or grade 1) is designed to make children fluent in French.
• Being fluent in both French and English creates new opportunities for your child (improved employment options, expanded educational and travel possibilities).

What Is the Format of French Immersion In the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board?

• The program consists of French classroom instruction in SK and grade 1; starting in grade 2, English Language instruction begins and is increased in subsequent grades.
• For more information, see the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) French Immersion brochure, policy and curriculum on the HWDSB French Immersion website, at http://w3.hwdsb.on.ca/fimmersion/

Why Ancaster?

• There are no existing French Immersion programs in Ancaster.
• Currently most Ancaster FI students have to go to Norwood Park(Hamilton), a few to Earl Kitchener(Hamilton) and George Allan(Hamilton).
• There is only one bus pickup point at Kitty Murray Lane Park in Ancaster, 6 km from Norwood Park, and the bus ride to Norwood Park is 30 minutes.

Key Issues

• Sufficient numbers of FI students
• Finding classroom space

How Can I Help?

We are inviting ALL FI parents, present and future, to join us. It is our ultimate goal to bring ALL Ancaster FI students to a local school in Ancaster, so that we no longer need to spend time traveling the unnecessary distance to enroll in the French Immersion program.

• Add your name to our petition, at fi@AncasterFI.com, stating:
  • Your name, email addr, phone number;
  • Your child's name, year of birth, and name of school he/she attends/will attend(go to http://www.hwdsb.on.ca to find out).
  • Your mailing address;
  • Whether or not you would be willing to help in this parent group.
• help us print and distribute printing material to local grocery stores, pre-school programs, doctors' offices, any place where parents go.
• Join Ancaster Parents for French Immersion
• Spread the word