AB - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, May 21, 2003 Dollar juggling could still — save late French immersion By JENNIFER LANG LOCAL STUDENTS will be able to register for a new French immersion program, but there’s still no assur- ance the proposal will go ahead. Coast Mountains school trustees agreed last week to open up registra- tion for an immersion program start- ing in Grade 5 after learning more federal money may be on ils way. The district's secretary-treasurer Marcel Georges warned the recent funding announcement is a promise — not a guarantee of specific dollar amounts to districts. “It would be nice for us to have something more solid so J can assure my board it’s not a problem, we can do it,” he said. Terrace trustee Diana Penner cautioned the district may not be able to offer late French immersion due to budget constraints. The board approved a four-day school week, boosted average sec- ondary class sizes and other cost- cutting measures in March to solve a projected $5 million budget deficit. “This board is desperately trying to maintain our programs,” Penner said. Canadian Parents for French wants to introduce a second entry point so students have a second chance to join the program when they're older. Students in the late stream would join the early immersion students in -letters of sup- high school, bolstering the existing K-12 program at the senior level, which is currently under threat due to minimum class size requirements. The proposal will go ahead only if enough students sign up ~ and if the program can be offered at no addi- tional cost to the cash-strapped school district. Trustees have also agreed to write port for. the group’s lobby- ing efforts to obtain more money for French immer- sion programs. According to Adrian Dix, executive dir- ector of the B.C. chapter of Canadian Par- ents for French, more federal funding for French immersion programs is on its way — a lot more, Dix told trustees at the board meeting in Kitimat May 7 the fed- eral government stands to increase spending on French immersion pro- grams by as much as 80 per cent. The Coast Mountains School Dis- trict already offers K-12 French im- mersion in Terrace, Kitimat and Ha- zelton, The program brought in about Adrian Dix $77,000 in grant money to the dis- trict this year, plus a one-time $14,000 grant. Dix said his group is hoping to persuade the provincial government to increase this school district's share of federal funding, “This is a political fight,” he told trustees. The group also aims to change the funding formula for French im- mersion to reflect other factors. “We believe for the purpose of the funding the Coast Mountains School District should be treated as more than just one district,” Dix said. For example, this district does not qualify for a $10,000 learning as- sistance grant for programs with less than 250 students, because the num- ber of students enrolled in Terrace, Kitimat and Hazelton are added to- gether under the formula, Dix also urged the board to pre- serve the existing program for stu- dents in Grades 8-12. Dix noted the district has one of the lowest attrition rates in the pro- vince, meaning it keeps more stu- dents enrolled than in larger urban programs — despite the sagging local economy and declining enrolment. “What you’re doing in this school district is a triumph for public edu- cation in British Columbia,” Dix said, adding the district’s program has received national recognition. “This is the time to maintain the program.” Forest rec sites get no new offers THE PROVINCE got no the province from claims. Sand Lake, and those dis- treated as “user- new takers in its latest at- tempt te offload forest ser- vice recreation sites in this area to volunteer groups. A first attempt in De- cember to save money by finding new groups to maintain rec sites and trails got minimal response because Victoria insisted new operators take on lia- bility insurance to shield A second call for propo- sals went out early this year, this time with no in- surance requirement, The deadline closed March 2 with no new proposals for sites in the Kalum district, said regional recreation of- ficer Lloyd Davies. The Kitsamkalum band had previously expressed interest in taking over Red cussions continue. The new call did the best in the southern inter- ior, where proposals came in to take over about 50 per cent of rec sites. But in the north just 40 sites - or about 15 per cent of the total — attracted proposals. Recreation sites that don’t have a user group to maintain them will be maintained”, Davies said. He conceded that means they may deterior- ate over time. “We will continue to inspect sites and trails for risk,” Davies said. “If they become a public safety or environmental risk we might have to lock at de- commissioning or closing those sites.” Come celebrate with us on Saturday, May 31 ¢ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm if you attended Skeena School, you'll want to attend this great Birthday Party. Outside on the front lawn For more information, phone Mr. Hollett at 635-9136 Pes Get the skills and qualifications you need for employment as an apprentice in a number of Trades including: « Commercial Transport Repair * Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) + Outdoor Power Equipment Technician *« Automotive Repair * Carpencry « Welding * Heavy Duty Mechanic Welding, Automotive, Carpentry and Millwright ate all high demand occupations with a need for skilled workers. Programs are offered in Terrace, Prince Rupert and Hazelton, with some offered in cooperation with community partners. 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