The 2010-2011 school year has been marked by both change and continuity. Change has been ushered in by the addition of some new faces and by staff assuming new duties, including myself, but within a context of continuity since our objective remains the same: to provide the best support we can for students to succeed by giving them the opportunity to achieve their full potential. In addition, we face the ongoing challenge of improving our practices and approaches so that they are effective and efficient, with students as the focal point.

There are now more than 8,500 students enrolled in our 39 schools, which represents an increase of 7.1% compared to last year’s enrolment. With the opening of École secondaire de Windsor and the upcoming construction of several other schools, we will continue to grow for a number of years. Another sign that Conseil scolaire Viamonde has made tremendous strides: we have hired more new Principals and Vice-Principals than there were schools when our Board was created in January 1998.

Our students’ success has always been and will remain our main concern. More than ever, Conseil scolaire Viamonde seeks to develop student leadership as well as their sense of belonging to the Francophonie in Ontario and throughout the world.

Our School Board is forward-looking. Whether it is in the classroom where we practice differentiated instruction and inclusiveness, or in the environmental sphere with our green schools and environmentally friendly practices, not only do we follow best practices—we define them!

We are beginning this new chapter with confidence, optimism and idealism. Looking over the route that we have travelled and the challenges that we have faced, and knowing that the past is a guarantee for the future, I am proud to take on the duties of Director of Education, following in the footsteps of my two predecessors, Alice Ducharme and Jean-Luc Bernard, to whom I pay tribute for their skillful leadership.

Why French-language schools?

Because French-language schools are more than a learning environment where French is the language of communication. The schools of the Conseil scolaire Viamonde are dynamic communities that are proud of the wealth and cultural diversity of their French-language heritage. These schools encourage students to reach their full potential – academically, culturally and socially. It becomes a way of life to use French.

Interest in the French language: a matter of attitude and habit

Children’s attitudes and values are generally a reflection of the examples surrounding them, i.e. their family members, their friends and people at school. At the Conseil scolaire Viamonde, we emphasize the importance of the many facets of French language and culture, and the pleasure that they bring, so that students can appreciate living in a French environment on a daily basis. In the end, we hope that the students realize that speaking French is a natural thing to do rather than a chore.

Who can attend a school in the Conseil scolaire Viamonde?

French-language rights holders

The children of French-language rights holders can attend a school in the Conseil scolaire Viamonde. This right is granted under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982) and is recognized in Ontario in the Ontario Education Act.

According to Section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms:

"23. Citizens of Canada

• whose first language learned and still understood is French, OR
• who have received their primary school instruction in Canada in French OR
• of whom any child has received or is receiving primary or secondary French school instruction in Canada

have the right to have their children receive primary and secondary school instruction in French."

Those who are not French-language rights holders

Those who are not French-language rights holders can register their child in a French language school, if they so desire. In order to do so, the parent or guardian must submit a request to the admissions committee, as stipulated in subsections 289 (1) and 302 (1) of the Education Act. The committee shall assess the child’s skills in French in order to determine if he/she understands, speaks, reads and writes in French at his/her age and grade level. This is to test the child’s comfort level with French rather than academic knowledge.

Registration Procedures

French-language rights holders

French-language rights holders who file an admission request at a Conseil scolaire Viamonde school must follow this procedure:

• contact the school in their area to find out what the school zone area is;
• make an appointment with the school principal;
• fill out the registration form.

The following documents pertaining to the child must be brought to the meeting at the school:

• immunization record;
• birth certificate;
• report card, if the child already attends school.

Those who are not French-language rights holders

For those who are not French-language rights holders and who file an admission request at a Conseil scolaire Viamonde school, an admissions committee is set up to evaluate the request. The parent or guardian must follow this procedure:

• contact the school in his/her area to find out what the school zone area is;
• make an appointment with the school principal;
• sign an admission request form.

A. Pre-admission meeting

1. The school principal explains the educational values and vision of the Conseil scolaire Viamonde to the parent, guardian and the child or adult student.
2. The parent or guardian must answer questions related to:
1. the child’s experience in a French-language program;
2. the child’s attitude and motivation towards studying in French;
3. his/her own level of proficiency in the French language;
4. support from the home to help the child integrate into the French-language school setting.
3. An oral and written test will be given to the student according to his/her grade level. If the test results are considered adequate and the parent or guardian has demonstrated that he/she is able to provide support for the child at home, the school principal will call a meeting of the admissions committee.

B. Admissions committee

The members of the admissions committee shall meet with the parent or guardian in order to: a) review the French-language public school mission; b) review the student’s test results; c) explain the commitment form; d) discuss the student’s educational level. Commitment of Parents and Guardians

When parents or guardians decide to register their child in a Conseil scolaire Viamonde school, and when adult students decide to register themselves, they make a commitment to:

1. ensure that the French language is spoken at home and/or that the student is able to receive the necessary support at home;
2. provide support to the student and show that they are interested and motivated in being part of a French-language school;
3. provide support to the school in its efforts to encourage the student to speak French at school;
4. recognize that French is the language of communication between the school and the family. All correspondence, academic performance evaluations, parent meetings, committee meetings and school council meetings shall take place in French. However, a parent or guardian who does not speak French can always obtain information in English by contacting the school principal.

Moreover, when French is not the language of communication at home, it is important for the parent or guardian who can speak French to spend some time using this language with the child, while relaxing or playing. This will help to motivate the child to speak French without fearing punishment or humiliation if he/she makes mistakes or uses English words.

Parents or guardians who cannot speak French also play an essential role in promoting the right attitude to adopt towards using the French language at home. Students must feel supported and valued at all times for their efforts.