February’s meeting of the Upper Grand District School Board considered two reports that will have major and long-ranging effects on French Immersion (F.I.) in Dufferin County.

First, as a result of the move to return Dufferin F.I. students and house them at Princess Elizabeth, there was serious concern expressed about the viability of the secondary school F.I. program at Erin D.H.S.

A committee of parents, staff and trustees met for almost a year to examine ways in which to strengthen this program. There were a number of recommendations in the report, including an effort to digitally connect Erin DHS with other secondary schools to access a wider array of shared F.I. courses.

However, the one that will impact Dufferin students is the confirmation that Erin DHS will continue to be the destination secondary school for students graduating from Grade 8.That means there are no F.I. programs at either of the two Orangeville secondary schools at this time.

The second report dealt with the accommodation issue facing the burgeoning F.I. program at Princess Elizabeth. Coupled with the impact of full-day learning for JK/SK students (which could begin at PEPS as early as 2012, depending on space and parental interest), the school population will outgrow its physical space next year and continue to grow each year.

On the one hand we’re thrilled with the success of the F.I. program at PEPS, but now we have an accommodation issue to resolve. So, the report approved by Board, contains two significant recommendations:

1. As the program expands to Grade 7 next year, it will remain at PEPS for the 2010-11 school year, and

2. A committee of trustees, staff and parents from the F.I. program examine organizational options to accommodate a JK-8 F.I. program in PEPS and another school starting September 2011.

This committee will report to the Board by June 2010.

In both reports there is an inherent respect both for the program and those who struggled to establish an F.I. program in Dufferin. It is hoped that the actions stemming from the reports will lead to a stronger and more vibrant program.

Bob Borden is Orangeville trustee and chair of the (Upper Grand District School Board: Should you wish to contact him, you can do so by phone (home office, 519-940-0279, or Guelph office 519-822- 4420, ext. 735) or e-mail bob.borden@ugdsb .on.ca. Also, you can visit the Board’s web site at www.ugdsb.on.ca and read the highlights of each Board meeting.