In New York City, there are 22,000 children living in homes where French is spoken daily. For many families, there are no available options for schooling their children in French, or helping them maintain their home language and their heritage. Together, we can create French-English Dual Language Programs (DLP) in public schools throughout the City.
This Saturday, we are organizing an information session in south-east Queens which will explore how a French DLP can be started in this French-speaking neighborhood, and how parents can help. Similar sessions can be organized in your community.
These sessions are comprised of individuals, parents, and educators who are eager to promote and incorporate the French language in New York City's public schools. They strongly believe that a bilingual education offers children countless opportunities.
If you are a parent with a French-speaking child aged 4 or younger, these meetings are specially for you. Most schools will likely start new DLPs from Kingergarten up, only if enough French-speaking children sign up. Based on the number of English Language Learners, and a clear commitment from French-speaking families, NYC schools will respond to the needs of French speakers.
On Saturday, the targeted neighborhoods are: Cambria Heights, Springfield Gardens, Rosedale, Jamaica, Queens Village. More information sessions are being planned in East Brooklyn, Harlem, South Bronx, Upper East Side, and Astoria/LIC. If you are thinking about creating a French DLP near you, just remember that you are not alone and that many volunteers, parents and organizations will help.
Below is an example of how such an information session unfolds. It was initiated by Moreen Tonny, a young woman from Haiti who just graduated from LaGuardia Community College. You are welcome to attend Saturday's session and meet her. You can also organize your own session. We'll help you with the logistical support. Check out the brochures below for instance. They are customizable and available in French, English, Creole, Bambara, Wolof, Pulaar, Spanish, and Arabic.
A revolution has started. Join us!
Fabrice Jaumont
Creating French-English Dual-Language Programs
in Public Schools in south-east Queens
Information Session
Saturday, Saturday 26, 2013 – 3pm
Queens Library
21813 Linden Blvd, Cambria Heights, NY 11411
Subway: E train then Q4 bus to Linden Boulevard. LIRR: St Albans
RSVP: bqbilingualgroup@gmail.com - (347) 614-0260
3:00 - Welcome by Moreen Tonny, presentation of program.
3:05 - Introduction of keynote speaker: Prof. Isabelle Barriere, PhD (Brooklyn College and Yeled V'Yalda Research Institute)
3:10 - Isabelle Barriere will talk about the advantages of bilingualism and bilingual education
3:25 - Q & A
3:30 - Panel 1: What parents can do to start a dual-language program
Belinda Mondjo (Parent, PS 84 Upper West Side), Shareen Anderson (Parent, PS20 Clinton Hill), Earlene Cruz (Editor, New York in French),
3:50 - Q & A
3:55 - Panel 2: What educators think
Houaria Aichour (Founder, Bonjour NY), Fabrice Jaumont (Education Attache, Embassy of France), Prof. Juan Valdes, Ed.D. (Program in Bilingual Education, Queens College)
4:15 - Q & A
4:35 - Panel 3: How can we start a French DLP in South-East Queens?
Moreen Tonny (Founder Brooklyn-Queens DLP), Phara Dorisca (BBA student, Baruch College), Wolf Pamphile (Professional photographer)
4:50 - Q & A
DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE
DOWNLOAD THE DO-IT-YOURSELF ROAD MAP FOR CREATING A FRENCH-ENGLISH DUAL-LANGUAGE PROGRAM
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FUTURE MEETINGS
A similar session will be organized on November 16 at 4pm at Brooklyn College, New Ingersoll Hall Extension
RSVP necessary: bqbilingualgroup@gmail.com
Targeted neighborhoods are: East Brooklyn, Flatbush, Ditmas, Canarsie, Flatlands
A similar session will be organized on November 26 at 6pm at the French Cultural Services on the Upper East Side
RSVP necessary: eastsidedlp@gmail.com
Targeted neighborhoods are: East Harlem, Upper East Side
A similar session will be organized on November (date pending) at the Steinway Queens Library in Long Island City.
RSVP necessary: duallanguage.astoria@gmail.com
Targeted neighborhoods are: Long Island City, Astoria
Similar sessions will be organized in Harlem, the South Bronx, and other areas.
Stay tuned.
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Like us on FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/FrenchEnglishDualLanguageProgramsInNyc
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DONATE
Donate to Support French-English Dual-Language Programs
If you would like to donate to the French American Cultural Exchange (FACE) to support the French Dual Language Programs in New York City Public Schools you can donate online through the website Network for Good. This website enables individuals to safely and efficiently make their donation online. These donations, contributed to the non-profit French American Cultural Exchange Council (FACE), are tax-deductible. Please type "DLP" in the designation box.
These donations are used to purchase textbooks and materials for classrooms, and to fund scholarships and teacher development programs.
All checks can be made payable to FACE (French-American Cultural Exchange), 972 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10075.
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