Parenthése |

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The Fédération des parents
e francophones de Colom-

bie-Britannique (FPFCB) is
optimistic as if undertakes the de-
velopment of its strategic plan for
2006-2011. This plan is the result of a
comprehensive consultation involv-
ing all FPFCB partners, and it reflects
the needs expressed by local parent
associations.

The strategic plan includes three key
thrusts, namely:

1. Access to Early Childhood and
Family Services in French

This thrust aims, among other things,
to increase the number of spaces
available in Francophone _ pre-
schools and daycare centres and to
promote the development of new
French-language services for fam-
ilies with young children.

2. Parent Participation

The aim is for parents to have in-
creased influence on the develop-
ment and implementation of poli-
cies and programs that contribute
to their children’s healthy develop-
ment. This thrust will target local par-
ent associations as well as School
Planning Councils.

Work will be done on the issues of
welcome and support extended to
families, as well as achievement of
the cultural and community man-
dates of Francophone schools.

La voix des parents de Colombie-Britannique

Federations Update

By Marc Gignac, strategic development director, Fédération des parents -

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3. Effectiveness of the Organization

Finally, the third thrust aims fo ensure
that the FPFCB is effective in carrying
out ifs mission.

Despite the decision of fhe new
federal government to terminate
the federal-provincial agreements
on early learning and child care,
the FPFCB is nevertheless confident
that the necessary resources will
be found to achieve the objectives
stemming from fhe Ist key thrust, in
particular the increase in the num-
ber of spaces available in preschools
and daycare centres. In this regard,
it is extremely encouraging that
the Conseil scolaire francophone
(CSF—Francophone Education Au-
thority) has also identified the provi-
sion of early childhood services as a
priority.

Working in Partnership

As with the Fédération des parents,
the priorities for action chosen by the
CSF also include the establishment of
measures fo welcome families and
develop community schools. The
FPFCB will therefore have an import-
ant ally to support fhe achievement
of its strategic plan.

The FPFCB expects fo implement its
strategic plan through partnership.
A relationship based on respect and
transparency has already been es-
tablished with the main players, such
as the CSF, BCTF, Regroupement des
directions d’école (Association of
Schoo! Principals) and Educacentre.
The Fédération hopes to draw on
this strength to successfully carry out

” its goals and objectives.