Mare Gignac

The end of the school year is already at the door
step, reminding us that itis almost time for trading our
pencils, files, tools, etc...for our golf clubs and other
relaxing instruments which will help us to be in top
shape and resourceful to undertake the next school
year in september.

Next fall looks promising for the Fédération des parents.
Fourimportant matters will be on the agenda in september
and their unfolding could be beneficial for the advance-
ment of the Francophone education in BC :
Parents role in the Francophone education
system
The Conseil scolaire francophone and the
Fédération des parents agreed to mandate a com-
mittee that will advise the CSF on policies to give
parents the place they are entitled to in the
educationnal process. Therefore, this question
will be on the agenda next fall as the committee
have to resume its task by next winter.

«Projet éducatif»

Since the event «Forum 97 : School atthe center
of the community - An essential partnership»,
we hear more and more about the concept of
«projet éducatif». That type of process favours
the creation ofa partnership between the school,
the youths, the home and the community. This
partnership is characterized in the actions bya
search for coherence with the values shared by
the different partners. A little bit intricate? Don’t
worry, FPFCB andiits partners at the provincial
level are working on a “ kit’ that will support the
implementation of «projet éducatif» in
Francophone schools. They will work together
to implement such a projectin different schools
across the province as early as next fall.

Court case

The Court case against the provincial
govemement, adjoumed last April following the
Govemment initiative to extend the Conseil
scolaire’s jurisdiction to all the province, is now
scheduled for september 22, 1998. Two ques-
tions will be heard during the trial : the transfer of

schools and resources and the es-&
tablishment of an arbitration mecha-
nism to resolve disputes that occur
in negociation for services agree-
ments between the CSF and School
Districts.

Preschool

On the agenda next fall, the drafting of an IRP
(curriculum) coherent with the one teached in
kindergarden and grade 1; educators training;
the implementation of the francisation program
«Paul et Suzanne» in all preschool services and
of course, the implementation of new services.

Another busy fall in prospect...!

Unfortunatly, | won't be there to supervise the action.
Asa matter of fact, | advised the Board of Administra-
tors of my intention notto renew my contract. This means
that by the end of August, | will notassume anymore the
function of Executive Director.

This is why | would like to take the opportunity to ex-
press all the satisfaction | had working with parents and
other partners in education. | benefited a lot from this
experience which will always be engraved in my memory.
Working with the Association have been a very enrich-
ing experience and allowed me to work with very special
persons on very stimulating projects very important to
me. | would like to thank you and the Board of Direc-
tors, with whom | always had a relation based on re-
spect and trust, for giving me this opportunity.

Restassured that! will continue to promote Francophone
Education and that | will always care for the well-being
of our children.

| would like to conclude in wishing to you all, children -
parents - teachers, a warm summer, with a lot ofhappy
moments, the realisation of small and big projects and
of course a safe environment. | hope you will be back
full of energy for the next school year!

Sincerely, Marc Gignac