Executive Committee Members in Attendance

The LNFI PTO December 8, 2016 meeting was held at LNFI Lower Campus in the library from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Notice of the meeting was distributed on Facebook, by email, by backpack flyer, and on the PTO website. Executive Committee members in attendance: Julie Bowen, President; McKenzie Mahoney,Vice President: Libby Hilsendager, Social Committee Chair; Becky Erickson, Communications Committee Chair; Verna Carlson, Secretary There were approximately 50 people in attendance. Five families with students and Ramsey and Central provided served as a panel to answer questions by LNFI parents. The meeting was called to order by Julie Bowen, PTO President, at 6:05 p.m. Minutes by Verna Carlson.

French Immersion Pathway Presentation/Q&A (about 75 minutes)

Maureen Peltier, French Teacher, Central High School - www.central.spps.org -She is one of three French teachers at Central. -Ms. Peltier has two children (both went to Central and are now in college). Her husband also teaches at Central. -Ms. Peltier developed certificate requirements for a French Immersion Certificate of Accomplishment. Currently, 48 students (in all four grades) are getting the certificate. It is like a mini-major if in college. This certificate does not replace or affect the IB program. -Students take one to two classes per semester in French and are also together all year in an Advisory/Homeroom class, so they have at least two classes in French a day. -Goals of immersion program at Central - more marketable, increased lifetime opportunities, empower kids as agents in their own lives, lead a more examined life, be an agent of change for others, future, strong sense of self and pride -French coursework the certificate of accomplishment: (French Immersion 9-12 (yearlong courses each year, only 12 open to non-immersion students, Writing for Content and Your Voice in French courses (1 semester each), two topics course (1 semester each) -Certificate classes are at a university level; additional courses are optional -Students declare intent to pursue certificate in 9th grade -Senior portfolio project-must present regarding experience as a French immersion student (past/present/future) -10 hours of service learning per year (volunteering) is required for the certificate students -Students take National French exam each year and IB test senior year (can test into third year of college French) -Can't offer full immersion at middle and high school level because of problem finding adequately-licensed subject teachers and lack of critical mass when the 48 or so French immersion kids are split into different levels and different subject matters -Other French-related programs: Oral state French contest each year - Le Grand Concours; France exchange most years, MN Zoo French day; Alliance Francaise - DELF and DALF exams (like TOEFL exam for English) - students can take exams for work or study abroad -IB language has two tracks - language A - native language track (more literature based, students tested for IB as a native speaker, the curriculum is very demanding) and language B -French as a second language; currently track B, but A will soon be offered --Students in the immersion program usually test into junior year of French at a university, if student was diligent in studies. Many end up with a second major in French by default. -2015 was the first graduating class for the certificate -The principal is a big part of the reason Central has a strong language program (including classes for six different languages)

Joanne Thibault, French Teacher, Ramsey Middle School -There about 100 French Immersion students (of the 540 students) at Ramsey -Two periods of class in French a day and a 25-minute Advisory (like homeroom) with other French Immersion students -French Immersion is an elective, so sometimes scheduling other electives is difficult, particularly with the new six-period day, but the school works hard to get students the classes they want. -French Immersion students create a real bond -The Middle School stage of French Immersion is very important because it is the time of significant cognitive and emotional development. -French Immersion classes are project-based. They reflect on and practice how the language works while they talk, listen, read and write. -In 7th and 8th grade, students often get involved in a lot of other activities. -National Junior Honor Society - students are invited to apply. National Junior Honor Society members do many community service projects such as Feed my Starving Children, Sole Hope (shoes for African children), recycling, Day of Silence (to support those around the world who don’t have a voice), Student Council. -WEB - Where Everyone Belongs; WEB students are 8th graders who help the younger students -French Zoo Day - The students teach about animals at the zoo in French -Students take the Le Grand Concours, which compares them to other French Immersion students around the country. Typically, one third of the students receive honors. -History Day - This is a statewide program. Students work on a research-based topic. This year, they are first working on and presenting it in French. If they move beyond the presentation at Ramsey, they will translate it into English. (This is quite a challenge for students, but good for their French because they work on it during the French class.) -Check out www.youtube.com/user/TheRamseyShow to see skits by Ramsey students.

Teresa Vibar, Principal, Ramsey Middle School - www.ramsey.spps.org

-Differences between grade school and middle school: - a lot more students; they move from class to class. Hall time has been shortened to three minutes to encourage students to get to class right away and not be late (it has actually resulted in fewer tardies). -Class locations: They are trying to keep the French Immersion students together in the same area of the school as much as possible. -This is Ms. Vibar's third year at Ramsey. She has worked to give students more of a voice - started Junior Honor Society, WEB leaders in 8th grade (6th graders assigned a WEB leader); student council this year; DARE leadership skills -Sixth grade camp: sixth graders come a week early to learn about middle school, the schedule, etc.; they meet with their WEB leaders; parents can help by teaching kids how to use a combination lock (fifth grade teachers at LNFI also work on this) -Afterschool programming - enrichment classes four days a week (mid-October to mid-May); students can be bussed home at the end (around 4 p.m.) -Ramsey has about 11 after-school sports throughout the year -School day: 7:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.; kids get used to the early start and finishing early and like having that afternoon time for other activities. The start time likely will change to 8:30 a.m. for the 2018-2019 school year. -Ramsey has many parent volunteers (about 45) in a new program that brings parents and community members to the school to help with tutoring, etc. This is the second year of the program, which has had a very positive effect on the school and culture. -French Immersion parents of Ramsey students that were at the meeting were very positive about the school and their children’s education and experience. -Ramsey French Immersion students at the meeting were very positive about their education and experience at Ramsey. -Ramsey's Open House for prospective students and their families is on Thursday, January 26, 2017 5:30-7:00 PM.

Soraya Folley, who teaches social studies French immersion classes also attended and spoke. The courses are taught entirely in French; strong focus on reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing and presenting; required to speak only French in class and get a grade on that. - MN studies (sixth grade); 7th/8th grade are taught together (history one year, global studies the other year); follows the same curriculum as it would be in English -IB (International Baccalaureate) programming available.

-There’s a tours and shadowing form online under the Families tab on www.ramsey.spps.org.

Current Ramsey and Central students and parents answered questions about about the schools and programs/education and were positive about both.

Questions asked by parents: -Bussing - students can be bussed from anywhere in St. Paul because of the immersion program. -Immersion program access - Must continue through pathway at both schools to ensure access to the program if out-of-district. Central has a waiting list, so out-of-district students rarely get in, unless they have continued the pathway through Ramsey (they are then guaranteed a spot at Central). -Offset schedule with elementary school (problem of having kids on different schedules, especially if they live out of district) and how to coordinate work/school schedules - Sports and activities and the after-school learning program (four days a week; mid-October to mid-May can help. Bussing is provided after the the after-school learning program (at least in district)); middle school may start at 8:30 beginning with the 2018-2019 school year. -Safety concerns - Parents and students (and school staff) acknowledged the safety concerns, but also confirmed that students feel safe at the schools and parents are happy with the schools and programs (they would not send their kids there, if they weren’t). -There was a question and some discussion about what happens if an out-of-district student moves to another out-of-district location (they have to re-enroll because of funding/payment issues from the home district; but, otherwise, it shouldn’t be an issue)