| &Pparenthése | La voix des parents de Colombie-Britannique Lot’s happening at the FPFCB By Marie-Anadrée Asselin, Executive Director There’s no shortage of impor- tant issues and exciting projects for the FPFCB. The following is a glimpse at a few of these. By the way, have you visited our website lately— www.fofcb.bc.ca? It features the Fede- ration’s new visual identity, in addition to a wealth of information and useful links for parents of children of all ages! Ecole communautaire citoyenne Along with their partners (including pa- rents), school boards across the country are currently exploring the extremely inte- resting Community School (école com- munautaire citoyenne) concept. The Fé- dération nationale des conseils scolaires francophones (FNCSF) is coordinating this project. In January, some twenty partici- pants (students, parents, school adminis- trators, and representatives of local and provincial francophone associations and the CSF) gathered at CSF offices in Rich- mond for a forum on this issue. The main goal of the meeting was to validate the concepts expressed in a discussion paper published by the FNCSF in October 2011. Other discussion forums have been organized elsewhere in the country and talks surrounding the Community School concept will continue in Edmonton next April at the Sommet sur l'éducation 2012, which the FPFCB will attend. Legal Challenge The law suit regarding parity for fran- cophone education in British Columbia is progressing, despite its complexity due to the large number of BC communities that are affected. Another step in the process is now underway, with the start of examinations for discovery involving government and CSF representatives. Many of the expert witnesses have also begun their analyses. We anticipate that hearings will begin later this year. Note that the purpose of the suit is to obtain academic space for BC fran- cophones equal to that enjoyed by the Anglophone majority and to give the CSF the means to handle the significant increase in the number of students in CSF schools. Language Development With the help of British Columbia author/linguist Annie Bourret, the Federa- tion is working on a project fo disseminate information and resources on language development in young children. This pro- ject follows a workshop on the same topic that was presented in the six BC child and family support centres (CAFE). The purpo- se of the project is to provide parents of young children with pertinent information on learning French in a majority Anglo- phone environment. The FPFCB website will feature a special section on this sub- ject and information will be prepared to assist parents in their efforts. When should | start speaking to my child in French? My child uses both French and English in the same sentence; is this normal? | soeak to my child in French, but he responds in En- glish; what should | do? The new tools will be designed to answer questions such as these. More to follow... Centres d'appui 4 la famille et a l’enfance (CAFE) The province's six francophone child and family support centres (CAFE), at the Franc départ (francophone Strong Start program) centres, had a very busy fall and winter! Programming includes a wealth of workshops and activities of all sorts for both children and parents. These activities are designed and selected to satisfy the specific needs expressed by the clients of each centre. Some upcoming activities include: « Papa ef moi! » (Daddy and Me) on > Saturdays at the CAFE in Ecole Anne- Hébert, Vancouver; the parents’ support group « Y’a personne de parfait » (Nobo- dy's Perfect), af the CAFE in Ecole Fran- co-nord, Prince George; and the « Parler pour que les enfants écoutent, écouter pour que les enfants parlent » (How to Talk so Kids will Listen and Listen so Kids will Talk) program, at the CAFE at Ecole Entre- lacs, Penticton. For a complete list of CAFE programs and workshops, visit the FPFCB website, www.fpfcb.bc.ca, and click on the CAFE logo (the big cup). Comités de partenaires The partners’ committees continue to pursue their activities in the francophone schools, despite the fact that the tea- chers are not involved this year because of the current labour dispute. Although it’s more difficult to advance the school educational project without the help of the teachers, some aspects of the par- tners’ committee mandate can still move ahead. We would like to remind you that the FPFCB can provide support to the school parents’ associations, as well as to pa- rents on the school partners’ committee. Moreover, the provincial advisory com- mittee (composed of provincial agencies representing the partners) may assist any partners’ committee that is having diffi- =e culty ormay need support | Continued on page 14 CIALIS LNT SSE Ihe SILL SASS 2S ELL 8888288 t CALS 20 0082022029008 2 00s 0 0000 ese ese eee t cesta ececce scree etttets, 1 *.