YORK CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
YCDSB Passes Motion to Introduce French Immersion Program at Our Lady of the Lake CCS

On Tuesday, March 26th, 2019 at its Regular Board Meeting, the York Catholic District School Board approved a Motion to implement a French Immersion program at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic College School (CCS) in Keswick. The Motion put forward by Trustee Theresa McNicol (East Gwillimbury/Georgina/Newmarket) will see the program introduced for the 2021 - 22 school year.

"The Board is very happy and excited to bring the French Immersion Program to Our Lady of the Lake Catholic College School," said Dominic Mazzotta, Chair of the Board. "Trustee Theresa McNicol worked diligently to consult with all stakeholders from the school and local community to ensure all voices were heard for this important program. The Board is committed to bringing quality programs to our Northern schools. I can't wait to visit the school when the program is implemented in 2021."
 Expanding the French Immersion program to Our Lady of the Lake CCS underscores the Board's commitment to student achievement and quality learning for all students in Georgina. Research shows that second language learning supports students to develop reasoning, analytical and creative thinking skills. In addition, knowledge of a second language strengthens first language skills.

 With the approval of the Motion, Our Lady of the Lake CCS will become the fifth York Catholic secondary school to offer a French Immersion program. Currently, St. Brother Andre CHS in Markham, Jean Vanier CHS in Richmond Hill, St. Maximilian Kolbe CHS in Aurora and Fr. Bressani CHS in Woodbridge offer French Immersion programs. YCDSB offers the Elementary French Immersion program at 15 schools throughout York Region, including St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Elementary School in Keswick.

The Elementary French Immersion program is a prerequisite for the Board's Secondary French Immersion program.

For more information on French Immersion, please visit: https://www.ycdsb.ca/frenchimmersion/.

The York Catholic District School Board is one of the top-performing school boards in Ontario. It delivers educational programming to approximately 53,000 students in 101 schools throughout York Region.

For more information, visit www.ycdsb.ca