Canadian Parents for French on P.E.I. concerned about fewer parent info sessions

Canadian Parents for French on P.E.I. is concerned that fewer early-immersion parent information sessions are happening this year.

Executive director Gail Lecky saidthe English Language School Board used to spearhead the sessionsand provide staff to hold sessions at every school that offers early immersion.

• P.E.I. struggling to keep up with French immersion demand

The sessions are a chance for parents to find out about the program, and ask questions to teachers and staff.

Lecky says the new Public Schools Branch is now leaving it to schools to make arrangements, and staff willbe there if available.

She saidshe hasn't seen any of the usual advertising for the sessions either.

"I think you can't just assume that it's going to support itself," she said. "Maybe one of the reasons that it has increased every year for the last 15 to 20 years is because there's some attention paid to it."

No sign immersion numbers down

Lecky saidwith aschool review underwayit's not a good time to change something that's become a standard.

In an email, the Public Schools Branch saidmany schools hadparent meetings this year, while others focused on web information because it was most popular with parents.

It says there is no indication registrations for early immersion are down, and there there will be public meetings for late immersion parents this year.

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