She's one of a number of parents who fear their children will be divided if the Annapolis Valley Regional School Board does not agree to offer a second French immersion class at the New Minas Elementary School.
These concerns were raised during a public forum April 6 that immediately followed the school board’s regular monthly meeting in Berwick.
Park, a mother of four living in Port Williams, got emotional as she informed school board officials that only one of her four-year-old twins entering primary next year won a spot in the French immersion program at New Minas Elementary.
Park’s two eldest boys are already in French immersion at the school.
“I do not want to split my family up. Right now I have no good choices,” she said, noting that she does not want to send her kids to separate schools, or pull one twin out of the program because the other did not get in.
Park asked board members to push for a second French immersion class at New Minas Elementary for the upcoming school year. She said there were 41 families with children entered in the lottery held to fill 25 spots, and she feels that shows there’s enough demand for another class.
Further, Park recommended the board implement a siblings clause that will prevent similar situations from arising in the future.
“As a mother of twins I strongly urge the AVRSB and all school boards to change their lottery policies on twins and multiples. They should be considered together unless the parents request otherwise,” wrote Park, in a letter she read aloud at the meeting.
“No one should be faced with the decision I have to make.”
Medford resident Declan McGreevy said his two oldest daughters go to school in New Minas instead of Canning because of the French Immersion program, but his youngest daughter did not get in.
“Myself and my wife are more than happy to drive our kids to school every morning and pick them up to give them to priceless value of being bilingual,” he said.
Like Park, McGreevy asked the board to take advantage of the spike in demand for the program.
“There’s a boom,” he said. “There’s people looking for it.”
McGreevy said they are not able to drive two girls to New Minas, and one to the Glooscap Elementary for school every day. He said he hopes arrangements can be made to give all of their children a chance to be bilingual when they graduate.
“You can give her that opportunity,” he said, referring to his youngest daughter.
At the beginning of the public forum, parents were informed that while the board would hear their comments, no decision would be made that evening.
“These parents have written letters to staff. Staff are receiving them, reviewing them, reading their concerns (and) definitely taking them seriously,” said AVRSB superintendent Margo Tait following the public input session.
“We’re just in the early stages.”
Did you know?
French immersion programs are regional, meaning all students living within the Annapolis Valley Regional School Board can enrol. Early immersion, starting in Grade Primary, is offered at Kings County Academy, Kingston and District School and New Minas Elementary School.
She's one of a number of parents who fear their children will be divided if the Annapolis Valley Regional School Board does not agree to offer a second French immersion class at the New Minas Elementary School.
These concerns were raised during a public forum April 6 that immediately followed the school board’s regular monthly meeting in Berwick.
Park, a mother of four living in Port Williams, got emotional as she informed school board officials that only one of her four-year-old twins entering primary next year won a spot in the French immersion program at New Minas Elementary.
Park’s two eldest boys are already in French immersion at the school.
“I do not want to split my family up. Right now I have no good choices,” she said, noting that she does not want to send her kids to separate schools, or pull one twin out of the program because the other did not get in.
Park asked board members to push for a second French immersion class at New Minas Elementary for the upcoming school year. She said there were 41 families with children entered in the lottery held to fill 25 spots, and she feels that shows there’s enough demand for another class.
Further, Park recommended the board implement a siblings clause that will prevent similar situations from arising in the future.
“As a mother of twins I strongly urge the AVRSB and all school boards to change their lottery policies on twins and multiples. They should be considered together unless the parents request otherwise,” wrote Park, in a letter she read aloud at the meeting.
“No one should be faced with the decision I have to make.”
Medford resident Declan McGreevy said his two oldest daughters go to school in New Minas instead of Canning because of the French Immersion program, but his youngest daughter did not get in.
“Myself and my wife are more than happy to drive our kids to school every morning and pick them up to give them to priceless value of being bilingual,” he said.
Like Park, McGreevy asked the board to take advantage of the spike in demand for the program.
“There’s a boom,” he said. “There’s people looking for it.”
McGreevy said they are not able to drive two girls to New Minas, and one to the Glooscap Elementary for school every day. He said he hopes arrangements can be made to give all of their children a chance to be bilingual when they graduate.
“You can give her that opportunity,” he said, referring to his youngest daughter.
At the beginning of the public forum, parents were informed that while the board would hear their comments, no decision would be made that evening.
“These parents have written letters to staff. Staff are receiving them, reviewing them, reading their concerns (and) definitely taking them seriously,” said AVRSB superintendent Margo Tait following the public input session.
“We’re just in the early stages.”
Did you know?
French immersion programs are regional, meaning all students living within the Annapolis Valley Regional School Board can enrol. Early immersion, starting in Grade Primary, is offered at Kings County Academy, Kingston and District School and New Minas Elementary School.
