Dear Editor:
I am writing to express my concerns about access to Late French Immersion Education, particularly for Summerland students.
Late French Immersion is offered to School District 67 students beginning in Grade 6.
The school board recently gave approval for three classes of 30 students in Penticton and just one class in Summerland.
In previous years, Summerland students have commuted to Penticton in order to access this program, resulting in the loss of some of our brightest young minds to Penticton schools.
Once they become part of the school system in Penticton, they often choose to complete their secondary school studies there.
In addition, some students (a majority of whom were from Summerland) were not selected into the program in either location.
This year, more than 140 students applied for the 120 available spaces in School District 67.
In Summerland, there were 44 applications for the 30 spots.
Penticton received 96 applications for their 90 spots, making it unlikely that they will be able to accommodate transfer students from Summerland this year.
These numbers do not include applications received after the Feb. 1 deadline, and applications from out-of-catchment students.
This means that between 20 and 25 students in School District 67 will be completely excluded from any access to this program this year, an all-time high.
Student selection into the program will be by lottery.
Please join us in advocating for the creation of another French Immersion class, preferably in Summerland, so that all interested students can have the benefit of this excellent educational program.
You can find more details on our website at www.parents4fsl.ca which also has links to our Facebook page and Twitter account.
Please consider writing a letter of support to the School Board trustees (addresses available at the school district website www.sd67.bc.ca).
Diana Fort and Ryan Moseley
Summerland
