French Immersion Frequently Asked Questions - Hamilton ...

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French Immersion. Frequently Asked Questions. Why is HWDSB starting French Immersion in Grade 1 instead of the current Senior. Kindergarten? If HWDSB ...
French Immersion Frequently Asked Questions Why is HWDSB starting French Immersion in Grade 1 instead of the current Senior Kindergarten? If HWDSB were to implement Full Day Kindergarten (FDK) into the current French Immersion schools while keeping French Immersion starting in Senior Kindergarten, this would require additional classrooms be built. The ministry only provides a bench mark dollar amount to construct the classes. However, HWDSB has not been able to deliver such spaces within the bench mark.

What would it mean if French Immersion started in Grade 1? Starting French Immersion in Grade 1 provides students with 5,034 hours of French instruction by end of Grade 8. The Ministry minimum of instruction required by Grade 8 is 3,800 hours.

Why does the Ministry of Education provide funding to build Kindergarten classrooms? Through the roll-out of the Full Day Kindergarten program the Ministry of Education is providing capital funding for kindergarten classrooms to resolve the spacing shortages in schools across the province. The funding will stop happening once Full Day Kindergarten is rolled out across the province in 2014.

What is the funding used for? The province offers this assistance because kindergarten classrooms require specific things such as (larger classroom space, washrooms, cubbies, millwork, outdoor access, and kindergarten designated outdoor play space). Historically, HWDSB’s actual construction costs for these kindergarten classrooms has been higher than the funding we receive from the province.

How does the province decide on how much to give each school board? The formula used by the province is that they take the entire Kindergarten population and divide that number by 26 to 30 students per class. The province doesn’t take into account whether the student is in French Immersion or not.

How much of a cost difference is it between the 21 classrooms for French Immersion in Senior Kindergarten versus French Immersion in Grade 1? The net capital cost above Ministry funding (the difference between 21 and 7 additional rooms), amounts to an estimated $1.8 million to $3.0 million dollars.

Is this the only cost? No. In addition to capital funding costs there is an annual operating cost. It is estimated the board would require an estimated $1.5 to $2.5 million annually in operating costs, which are not covered by any provincial funding.

Can you provide an example of how the funding formula affects French Immersion? If a school has 100 kindergarten students, HWDSB would receive funding for four classrooms based on the provincial cap of 30 students per room. However, if there are 31 students in English and 69 students in French Immersion there would be a requirement for five classes (three French Immersion rooms and two English rooms). The board would not receive either capital funding to construct the additional room nor annual operating grant to run the classroom.

French Immersion Frequently Asked Questions When will my school stop offering French Immersion in Senior Kindergarten? From September 2012 to September 2014, Senior Kindergarten French Immersion can continue at schools without Full Day Kindergarten, if this is possible within existing school space and staffing. Visit www.hwdsb.on.ca/kindergarten for a listing of schools offering French Immersion in Senior Kindergarten.

How will I know if my school is offering French Immersion in Senior Kindergarten next year? As each school will need to be evaluated yearly to determine their capacity, we encourage parents to visit www.hwdsb.on.ca/kindergarten for a listing of schools offering French Immersion in Senior Kindergarten.

What is Out of Catchment (OOC)? Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board has created attendance boundaries for each of its schools. This allows the Board to make the most effective use of its schools and staff. Students who are not attending their “home school” within their attendance boundary are considered to be Out of Catchment (OOC).

How do I know where my home school is located? Through HWDSB’s website, you can visit School Seeker at http://ap2.hwdsb.on.ca/seeker/. This site allows you to enter your address, city and child’s grade into the form. The system will provide you with your designated school of attendance, as well as an estimate of the on-road distance between your home and the school.

I want my child to attend their home French Immersion school. Will this be possible? This may be possible provided there is space at the French Immersion school. In order for a kindergarten student to attend their home French Immersion school, they will need to apply to the school through the Out of Catchment process.

When can I apply for Out of Catchment and when will I know if my child was accepted? The Out of Catchment application process is as follows: Out of Catchment applications are available to parents/guardian, upon request. February 23

First day principals may approve Out of Catchment requests from those submitted between February 10-22 (pending the numbers available in the class). Principals will continue to accept Out of Catchment applications and create an Out of Catchment waitlist.

June 15 (Schools currently offering Full Day Kindergarten (FDK) are closed to OOC applications at the JK/SK level)

School principals will, in consultation with Planning and Accommodation and their Superintendent of Student Achievement, review any students on their waitlist and determine if acceptance will be granted. Acceptance must not lead to the creation of an additional class at the school.

Out of Catchment applicants may be registered, depending on space after June 15

French Immersion Frequently Asked Questions