School Year in Review | 2020-21
Distance and virtual education options were top-of-mind for our members in September 2020 (and long afterwards as well). We took what we were hearing from our members and lobbied the Ministry of Education and local districts to offer real, tangible options for French language learners.
Our voice was heard in Victoria’s Times Colonist, in the Fraser Valley’s Chilliwack Progress, and in the Globe & Mail, among others.
In October, we welcomed our Board of Directors for FY 2020-21. Nancy Taylor, who began her involvement with CPF in the 1990s, took the helm as president and former MP for Langley John Aldag began serving as vice-president. John and our former treasurer Rachel Dalton, who stepped down in the new year, but we welcomed members Hasheem Hakeem and Patti Holm to the board.
Want to be part of our Board of Directors? Submit your nomination today!
Our Chapter volunteers are full of brilliant ideas. Last November, CPF New Westminster loaded up goodie bags of books and treats for new French language learners in the district.
Last fall, one Francophone parent saw a gap in resources for young learners, so she took it upon herself to create A French Start. Her website is home to easy, at-home activities, all geared towards tots and early learners. Be sure to share with parents and educators of young kids!
Sometime over the holiday break, CPF BC & Yukon achieved a milestone and welcomed our 10,000th member. We offered free 1-year memberships for anyone who signed up or renewed between Sept. 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021. Needless to say, it was a popular promotion!
It was a funny year for students’ schedules. As such, Grade 12 learners in Saanich wrapped up their French courses in waves, in the fall and in the winter. To celebrate their successes, CPF Saanich put together a celebration video to recognize their journeys. You can watch it here!
February marks French Immersion Celebration Week in B.C., and though we had to celebrate virtually this year, we still got to have a great time!
First, Will Stroet hosted a few shows for us and our members, then we got help from REEL Canada to host a movie night on Family Day. Both of these events were well received by teachers, students and families, so we hope we can host more accessible events like these in the future!
Bonhomme Carnaval travelled a lot this winter. He started in Castlegar in November as part of that community’s treasure hunt, then found himself hanging out with CPF Delta before winding up with our friends in the Okanagan.
Everyone’s Spring Break plans were put on-hold for a second year running, so CPF BC & Yukon wanted to offer students some entertainment during their break.
Thanks to many performers and educators like the ever-energetic Zumba instructor Ximena Londono, storyteller Ingrid Brousillon, the bakers at Chef à l’école, and to the musician whose songs have inspired a generation of learners, Charlotte Diamond. You can still watch the recording of her show here!
April marked the end of CPF Saanich’s Jazz in Spring concert series. (All five shows are up on our YouTube channel!)
June also marked the kick-off of Concours virtuel 2021! What started as a way to connect students with one another in spring 2020 morphed this year into a way for students to showcase their digital and linguistic skills. You can find all the winners here, and many of the submissions here.
Songs of birds and of French language learners marked the true beginning of spring this year for CPF in BC & Yukon.
CPF Richmond hosted their inaugural Richmond Idol, a singling contest that appealed to musically inclined students to perform their favourite French tunes. The results were stunning, to say the least. You can find the winners announced on CPF Richmond’s Facebook page!
