The Canadian Parents for French Alberta (CPF) Alberta announced on their website, on May 19, 2021, that Rocky View Schools will not be offering French Immersion to students that choose the online learning mode in the fall. 

Michael Tryon, Executive Director with Canadian Parents for French Alberta Branch has provided an update and reports there has been a bit of good news and a change since the initial report on their website last week. Tyron says, "We were informed that RVS would be offering French Immersion programming for high school students, which is a start."

However, the concern for elementary grades remains, and needless to say, the CPF is very disappointed in the decision and has been receiving feedback from parents voicing their opinion on the decision. 

According to the CPF the major concerns being voiced are: 

  • RVS did not consult nor ask for feedback from parents on the plan prior to the decision
  • The time frame in which parents have to make the decision about online learning is very narrow parents have until May 31, 2021, to make the choice.
  • With the closure of the Alberta Distance Learning Centre this June, there will be no options for French immersion students to take courses via distance education within RVS.

Many French Immersion students have been enrolled in the FI program since kindergarten and it is a very difficult decision for families to make the choice between online learning and continuing in FI.

Parents have commented, “The students in Online French Immersion classes have been very successful this year and I am not sure why online learning in FI will not continue?” 

Tryon adds, "Reach out to your local trustees, reach out to the superintendent's office, this is not unique to Rocky View Schools. There are many school divisions or school boards trying to decide right now what they are going to be doing moving forward. You know, this is the joys or challenges of being supporters of an alternative or optional or program of choice where you're not supported by legislation your not supported by any regulation it's just the goodwill of that school district to offer the program."

According to CPF, during the 2019/2020 school year, 46,636 Alberta students were in French Immersion or 6.3% of the total student population. 

French second language programs in Alberta have 147, 766 students, or 19.9% of the total student population.

Canadian Parents for French is the national network of volunteers that values French as an integral part of Canada and which is dedicated to the promotion and creation of French-second-language learning opportunities for young Canadians.