ENGLISH SECTION

PRESIDENT STEPHANE DROLET (continued)

This partnership is vital if we hope to overcome the ob-
stacles that would impede our development. Establishing
a truly collaborative partnership is not an easy task. It of-
ten means changing partners’ attitudes and habits, and
this type of change does not happen overnight. It takes
time. We must be patient; however, | am firmly convinced
that this partnership is vital if we want the Francophone
program to succeed and if we hope to achieve our man-
date—to provide quality French-language education. | am
also convinced that parents will willingly assume a lead-
ership role in setting up these partnerships.

You may Say it’s not always easy to be a partner; but, if we
stop and consider why we are all so resolutely committed
to our goal, it’s easy to find the motivation we need. Our
children’s future, their well being, and the quality of the
education they receive are all subjects dear to our hearts.
This is what brings us together!

At the provincial level, this partnership process began with
the creation of the Comité des partenaires en éducation
francophone (COPEF joint committee on French-language
education). The members of this committee represent the
provincial agencies that play a key role in education: par-
ents (FPFCB), youth (CSFCB), teachers (ADEF), support
staff (CUPE), the community (FFCB), and the Francophone
School Board (CSF). The purpose of the committee is “to
establish a province-wide collaborative partnership among
the various agencies in the Francophone community in
order to coordinate development activities and to maxi-
mize the impact of these activities on education and cul-

With COPEF as a provincial partnership model, the table
is set. It is up to us to use this momentum to bring collabo-
rative partnership into our school community. This would
give us the power we need to ensure the success of our
schools.

PrerreE B.Louin, ADEP’s preswent

Message from the Association des enseignantes et
enseignants francophones (A.D.E.F.)

| would like to thank all of the parents who took the time this year
to support the work of their children’s educators. The research
findings are clear—when teachers and parents combine their ef-
forts, the children are the real winners. Of course, this support
can take many forms: helping children with homework, explain-
ing difficult concepts, volunteering for class outings and activi-
ties, etc. We greatly appreciate your help—it enables teachers to
provide better services.

Another way to provide support is to simply express your appre-
ciation. We live in a society in which aggressive negative criti-
cism is offered much more quickly than gentle thanks. During the
course of their careers, in response to a parent’s aggressive criti-
cism, many teachers question their own ability to do the work.
This explains, in part, why 35% of teachers leave the profession
with less than five years’ experience...So, if you are happy with
the teacher’s work, | encourage you to take the time to say so. It
will be greatly appreciated.

Pierre Blouin

In conclusion, | would like to acknowledge two recent addi-
tions to our team. They are: administrative assistant Aurélia
Bellat, and Marie-Andrée Asselin, who succeeds Martine
St-Onge as executive director. Welcome to you both!
Martine is leaving her job to follow her husband, who has a
new position with an Ontario university. On behalf of the
Board of Directors, | would like to thank her for the out-
standing work she has done for the FPFCB. Martine, | wish
you and your family all the best in your new adventure and
every success in meeting the new challenges ahead.

On that note, | wish you all a wonderful summer. | look for-
ward to seeing you again in September—well rested and
ready to begin a new, highly productive academic year.
There are numerous surprises in store for the coming year—
a new government, a new Premier, a new minister of edu-
cation, a new French-language program in Kamloops, re-
newed enthusiasm for a collaborative partnership within our
communities...and a new baby for Martine!

Until then,
Stéphane Drolet

CAP

FRANCIZATION :
Francization Program Activity Report (2000-26 01)

The FPFCB (Fédération des parents francophones de
Colombie-Britannique) has been involved in the pre-school
Francization program since 1996. This year, thirteen nurs-
ery schools in the province used the “Paul et Suzanne”

program.

New teachers were introduced to the curriculum teaching
package and strategies. A meeting was also held at /a
Coccinelle nursery school in Surrey to increase parents’
awareness of the program and to discuss the status of the
French minority.

Parents had an opportunity to express their concerns and
share tips on how to encourage the use of French in the
home. Everyone agreed that, to ensure the success of the
curriculum, French must be spoken in the school, at home,
and in the community.

The Kamloops Parents Associations also received a Paul
et Suzanne kit. They would like to introduce a nursery de-
partment next September. The teacher and parents attend-
ing the meeting felt that this program would be a relevant
pedagogical tool that would enable children to acquire
French language skills, and support families wishing to
enhance the French environment in the home.

Our two young heroes are in constant demand. In Septem-
ber, tour director Murielle Gauthier will visit the Saute-
Mouton daycare centre in Victoria to lead a training ses-
sion on the Francization curriculum.

Murielle Gauthier