Organization urges district to change

French Immersion group urges district to scrap courtesy rider fees for students

May 15, 2019 | 4:00 PM

The Canadian Parents for French is asking School District 22 to change the designation of French Immersion so that students can be exempt from courtesy rider fees.

At last board meeting, the district approved a $200 fee for all courtesy riders next year and a $25.00 registration fee for all eligible riders.

In a letter to the district, Cheryl Dowler, Director of CPF Vernon argues that the courtesy rider designation “is in direct opposition ” to the Ministry of Education’s policy surrounding French Immersion .

The group is asking to board to change the designation from a “program of choice ” to ” distinct”.

” The FI program is distinct from other SD22 ‘s programs of choice. Grouping it together with other choice programs is insensitive and short-sighted.  Decisions that create barriers to the FI program are unjust and far reaching,” said the letter.

The designation change, the group says, will allow the school board to remove barriers and make french immersion more accessible to students no matter the income level.

The representatives will appear at a public board meeting today at 6 p.m.