CPF FSL Virtual Advocacy Event 2021:
From Surviving to Thriving in a Pandemic
WELCOME and GREETING
Welcome and Toast to FSL, Derrek Bentley, CPF National President (recorded video)
An opportunity to review the year that was in FSL education, and consider how individuals with an innovative spirit can come together to support French across Canada in times of need.
Greetings from Minister’s Representative, Marie France Lalonde, MP for Orleans and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages (recorded video)
We would like to acknowledge the support of our host, Madame Marie-France Lalonde who accepted to host in 2020 soon after her election to the position of MP for Orléans, and now has accepted to host us virtually, as the newly appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages.
CELEBRATING RESILIENT CPF VOLUNTEERS
Celebrating National Volunteer Week
In honour of National Volunteer Appreciation Week, April 18 – 24, 2021, CPF asked our volunteers to share their experiences and how they got involved.
CPF Volunteers Step Up
Celebrating the volunteers who stepped up to bring virtual programming to life during the pandemic.
Quick Link
In spring 2020, CPF sprang into action in response to school closures and cuts to French to establish a virtual French tutoring initiative, with weekly sessions delivered by French speaking volunteers and that continues to serve students across Canada.
CONNECTING WITH FRENCH
Overview of new CPF Advocacy-Oriented Research Brief, Logging in to Learn French, Dr. Wendy Carr, CPF National Secretary and Professor at UBC (recorded video)
In fall 2020, the research working group began to gather information on FSL online and distance learning initiatives available and promising practices underway to support students beyond the traditional jurisdictions. This video gives an overview to the Brief which will be published in spring 2021.
Online Learning in FSL – Logging in to Learn! Coming soon!
When the pandemic began, parents of FSL students were faced with big challenges when schools closed. In some places, French was not an option for remote learning while in others, new innovative practices were established. Learn more when this brief is published in June 2021 in both English and French.
NEXT PROJECTS, THIS FALL 2021
My Raison D’être: CPF FSL Teacher Recruitment and Retention project
The Action Plan for Official Languages investments in recruiting and retaining teachers for French immersion and FSL include the creation of public education campaigns, focused on the primary purpose behind choosing a career in teaching, that of positively impacting others. CPF branches are rolling out several public awareness campaigns to attract students to consider a career as French teachers.
Celebrating Linguistic Duality Day, September 2021
CPF wants to underline our belief that we are “Stronger Together.” Linguistic duality makes Canada more Canadian. This fall, we hope you will join us by marking your calendars for Linguistic Duality Day – celebrated the 2nd Thursday of September every year – as we are leading the way towards having this date being decreed a national day of observance in 2021 and going forward.
Together, our collaborative efforts allow us to strengthen our French Second Language programs in our schools, increasing equitable access to all Canadian youth wishing this opportunity in all parts of the country.
Finally, we hope to see you at future Canadian Parents for French events. We are planning our Annual General Meeting and Leader Networking Event in conjunction with Linguistic Duality Day from September 9 to 12, 2021. Thank you again for your support as a FSL champion, and please contact us with any questions. Best regards! Au plaisir!
