sParenthése | La voix des parents de Colombie-Britannique Franc depart expands! by Shannie Harvey, Early Learning Coordinator In September 2008, we cele- brated the opening of the Centre Franc départ (Strong Start) centre at Anne-Hébert school in Vancouver. This year, four more communities have joined in the aa- venture! Delta, Nelson, Penticton, and Prince George each officially opened their new Franc départ cen- tres at the start of the school year on September 8, 2009. These schools are now fortunate to house a program designed especially for children ages 0 to 5 years and the adults on whose shoulders rest the all-important task of caring for the children...the future citizens of our planet! One only has to visit our inaug- ural Franc départ centre, opened in February 2008 at Des Pionniers school in Port Coquitlam, or Anne- Hébert in Vancouver to realize the positive impact that these four new centres will have on each commun- ity. A Franc départ centre supports families through the services of out- standing educators like Annie at Des Pionniers, who is always ready to help both young and old, or Karine in Vancouver, who creates an atmos- phere that encourages the richness and diversity of francophone cultural expression. At Franc départ, it's easy to foster friendship over a cup of cof- fee (usually tepid; the parents will understand fhis!) with people who, like us, are embarked on what is likely the greatest adventure of their lives—parenthood! Last year, nearly a hundred fam- ilies enrolled in the Franc départ cen- tres in Vancouver and Port Coquit- lam—evidence of the real need for this type of program. It is therefore easy to predict that the new centres will also be successful and valuable assets fo the communities they serve. lam thrilled to know that families not only in larger urban centres, but also in smaller, more remote regions can benefit from the enrichment of the Franc départ program. It’s a won- derful adventure, one that | hope will continue. For more information on the Franc départ program, visit our website, www.fpfcb.bc.ca. rAnc epart STRONG START PROGRAM FOR FRANCOPHONE FAMILIES