Parents are “beyond thrilled” English Catholic trustees listened to their plea to keep Grade 7 and 8 French Immersion students at St. James Catholic Elementary School, said the co-chair of the school's parent council.
“We were hoping that the board's recommendation would be changed or postponed or reworded, but we certainly did not anticipate last night's outcome,” said Mia Gedye.
Sudbury Catholic District School Board administration proposed sending Grade 7 and 8 French Immersion students at the Lively elementary school to St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School in the South End.
They cited extremely low enrolment as the reason behind the proposal — this year, only four French Immersion students are enroled in the two upper grades at St. James.
Meeting March 21, trustees defeated administration's proposal.
They then passed a motion changing school boundaries in the area, meaning future Grade 7 and 8 French Immersion students wouldn't have the option of attending St. Benedict, as they currently do.
Students from the area currently enrolled at St. Benedict are grandfathered, so they'll still be able to attend their current school if they so choose.
The issue will be revisited by the board in a few years to see if there's been any change to enrolment in French Immersion at St. James.
In the lead-up to the board's decision, even the city councillor representing the Lively area, Ward 2 Coun. Michael Vagnini, got involved, saying transferring the students is the wrong move.
He cited new subdivisions that will be built in the area, and two new mines that will be coming into full production, creating jobs.
Gedye said about 70 parents attended a protest at the Sudbury Catholic board office before the meeting Tuesday night, and many stayed to attend the meeting itself. A delegation from the school also presented at the meeting.
She said she thinks this helped sway trustees' opinions.
“We're so thankful for the trustees having faith in us and all of them being on board,” she said. “The outcome was pretty unbelievable. They could see that we have a very passionate community in Lively.”
While she said she thinks there'll be a “huge change” in enrolment because of closing the school boundaries, St. James also has to work on encouraging students to stay in French Immersion.
Enrolment in French Immersion drops off as children get older, a trend that holds true across the province.
“So we're hoping to somehow work together with the school and the school board to encourage students to stay in French immersion,” Gedye said.
Sudbury Catholic chair Michael Bellmore said it was great to see the parents out at the meeting.
“The parents were respectful and presented their position, and I think trustees listened,” he said.
But it remains to be seen whether the French Immersion program at St. James will grow, Bellmore said.
“So the folks in Lively have been given a reprieve, if you will, and hopefully they can grow the program,” he said.
