Monday, December 15, 2014

Update on Numbers

Thank you so much for all of you that were able to come out to the Open House. We also appreciated the support of those that weren't able to come by means of emails and phone calls. We have received many more families who want to register their children for Spanish Bilingual programming. This is extremely exciting.

It was very helpful for us to meet the principal of Luxton. He is very supportive of Spanish instruction in his school. Since the school is multi-age classrooms, it was suggested that we consider our numbers to propose again to the school division of starting more than just kindergarten.

The WSD school division wants us to have 23 students from their catchment area registered in the class, but will be flexible in the numbers. They are also flexible in welcoming those out of the school division.

Kindergarten (born in 2010) - 18 children
Grade 1 (2009) - 9
Grade 2 (2008) - 11
Grade 3 (2007) - 5

Grade 4 (2006) - 5
Grade 5 (2005) - 7
Grade 6 (2004) - 7

Our plans for 2015 is to continue promoting the proposal to other school divisions:

Pembina Trails Families

They were very keen on the proposal last year, but were concerned there were not enough families in their division. Just like WSD promoted the possibility with their families, we are going to ask PT to do the same.

Kindergarten - 5
Grade 1 - 4
Grade 2 - 5
Grade 3 - 5

Louis Riel Families

We know that LR is very open to bilingual programs and hope to have more numbers to make an initial presentation to them as well.

Kindergarten - 3
Grade 1 - 6
Grade 2 - 3
Grade 3 - 8

Thank you again for all of your support. As you gather with your families and friends over the holiday season, let people know. As Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has".

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Open House

We are pleased to inform you that the Open House will happen on Thursday December 4 at 7:00. It will take place in the library at Luxton School, 111 Polson Ave. Representatives from Winnipeg School Division will join us to answer any questions that parents may have.

We are thrilled that the location has been named and with sufficient enrolment, the Spanish Bilingual program will start in Fall of 2015.

Saturday, November 15, 2014

School location selected

Winnipeg School Division has decided that Luxton School, 111 Polson Ave. will host the Spanish Bilingual Program in Fall 2015. Open house / Information Night for interested parents coming in the next few weeks.

Friday, April 11, 2014

Update on Programming

We have had several meetings and conversations with various school divisions the Winnipeg School Division has expressed the most desire and continues to be very interested in partnering with us on making this bilingual program a reality for this coming school year (2014/2015). This is great news.

Though they are still unable to pinpoint an exact school location, they have indicated that if the program were to start this coming school year (2014/2015) that it would definitely NOT be in an inner city school.  This is more great news as many of you know, that having the program in an inner city school was the demise of the efforts a few years back.


However this is a prediction that is only viable if the program were to start in this upcoming coming school year. 


The target age group is to start with a Kindergarten program this coming year with children born in 2009 residing within WSD catchment. However the WSD is open to also accepting children from outside of WSD catchment, if space is available. We currently are needing to continue seeking those children that may be interested in being a part of this brand new Spanish bilingual program, we especially need families with children born in 2009 and residing within the Winnipeg School Division catchment area but also welcome those not in that school year and not within WSD catchment. 


This is an interest list and by no means is it a fixed or non-retractable commitment. We are just wanting to show that the interest, need and demand for a Spanish bilingual program in the City of Winnipeg is definitely there. 


Please spread the word, share this post and/or continue to send us your information to add to our database. To be added to our database or for more information please email at winnipegspanishimmersion@gmail.com, phone at 204-887-4572, or via our Facebook page Winnipeg Spanish Immersion. 
 

Thank you for your interest and support thus far. 
-Eugenia Lehmann & Kathy Heppner

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Deadline for Submission

We have until the 25th of February to present the names of interested families to the school division. If you have already submitted your information, thank you! but you also have to consent to us passing on the information to the school division.

Just drop us an email at winnipegspanishimmersion@gmail.com stating, "Yes, I give consent". That's it.

You have until the 25th to make this a reality. Please show your support!

Friday, January 24, 2014

Update

We are continuing to collect names even though the proposals have been presented and we have been waiting patiently for word from all the divisions. Pembina Trails congratulated us on a well put together presentation, but are concerned they don't have enough students in the school division to make it a possibility. They are however committed to working with other divisions to making this a reality in the city.
 
We have had more conversation with Winnipeg School Dvision this week and they seem quite positive about starting a kindergarten class for 2014. They have asked us to present the names of the children in their school division that are born in 2009 in addition to all the names we have for that age group from other school divisions.
 
What we understand from that is if we can get more names of students in the Winnipeg School Division they will confirm the start up of a Spanish Bilingual program and welcome students from outside the school division. This is great news!!!
We are working on setting up another meeting with them in the coming week to discuss how the division can help us promote theprogram as well as if they can answer our questions regarding location. Our hope is that they would advertise it in all their schools. This would be so important as we move forward.
What we need from you as parents: Promote the program, especially to families with children entering kindergarten and especially those that reside in Winnipeg School division.
Our desire is to still work towards getting a late immersion program started, either for grade 4 or grade 7. Our numbers are a bit lower for those age categories, but if you are wanting to see it happen for the 2014 or even the 2015 school year, we need to gather more names. I plan to call a number of parents in my son's class asking them if they would consider putting their children in late Spanish Bilingual if it was offered. It's worth asking if it means making this a reality.