Reflet_2023_05_10

"$56"-*5 4r/&84

UCDSB TAKES FRENCH DELF EXAMS

across the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) participated in the Diplôme d’études en langue française (DELF) exams to prove their French language skills. The DELF is an internationally recognized certification based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages that is awarded by the French Ministry of National Education in France. It assesses listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in students. All students enrolled in the Grade 12 French Immersion course at Russell High School and Vankleek Hill Collegiate Institute (VCI) were given the opportunity to take the exam. The tests were conducted by certified DELF instructors, and the results were sent to DELF Ontario and France for review. Upon successful completion of the exam, the students will receive a for-life DELF certificate awarded by the French Ministry of National Education. “One of the provincial goals for French as a Second Language is to increase student confidence, proficiency, and achievement in French,” said Vice-Principal of Teaching and Learning and DELF Program Co-lead Cindy St.Pierre Steele. “This goal reminds us how important it is that students have confidence in their ability to use their French skills effec- tively. I’m excited to see this program gain traction and expand to more students taking the French Core and Immersion programs in UCDSB schools in the coming years.”

Seven students from Russell High School took the DELF exam. —supplied photo STUDENT SURVEYS PLOT COURSE FOR UCDSB

CHRISTOPHER SMITH christopher.smith@eap.on.ca

Forty-one students from across the UCDSB evaluated their French skills in the Diplôme d’études en langue fran- çaise (DELF) exams. At the end of April, 41 students from

Engagés dans des projets d’ici APPEL DE PROJETS : JUSQU’À 500 000 $ EN ONTARIO

Around half of students responded to the two surveys that will inform the UCDSB’s next moves regarding student support. —archive photo

CHRISTOPHER SMITH christopher.smith@eap.on.ca

and their culture reflected in the activities and lessons. Research shows that when students feel safe, accepted and their identities are represented at school, they have better outcomes. And that’s what we want — students who are thriving at school and beyond our walls.” The response rate for the two surveys was good overall; 30 percent of elemen- tary students and 56 percent of secondary students responded to the ‘We All Belong’ survey, and 61 percent of Grade 7 and 8 students responded to the ‘Intermediate Student Voice’ survey. The UCDSB has yet to process all the data, but some preliminary findings indi- cate that 59 percent of students want to learn more about Real-World Learning, 48 percent of students want to learn more about academic skill preparedness, 44 percent are comfortable discussing problems with teachers or guidance counsellors, and 14 percent identify as having a disability. More information about the survey and the full downloadable reports can be found on the UCDSB website.

The results of the two student surveys will inform the board’s next steps. From November 2022 to January 2023, the Upper Canada District School Board col- lected data from elementary and secondary school students through its ‘We All Belong’ student survey and ‘Intermediate Student Voice’ survey. The UCDSB will be using the information gathered on school experiences, cultural identity, gender identity, race, spoken languages, and socio-economic status to set specific and intentional next steps for increasing student support in schools. “Gathering this data is essential to get- ting a better understanding of our student population. When we have this information, we can work towards creating programs and finding resources that better suit the needs and wants of our students,” said Superintendent Marsha McNair, who is responsible for the Equity, Inclusion and Diversity portfolio. “We want all our students to feel safe at school and see themselves

Grâce à ce fonds, la Caisse Desjardins Ontario soutient des projets porteurs qui ont des retombées réelles sur les collectivités ontariennes. Faites une demande pour bénéficier d’une contribution financière : desjardins.com/ontario Date limite : 31 mai 2023 Fonds d’aide au développement du milieu

Made with FlippingBook - PDF hosting