N.B. teachers forced to 'triage' students due to lack of resources, minister hears
Meeting with English prime teachers comes after angry public meetings about plans to change French immersion
Some teachers likened their classrooms to emergency rooms, where they have to use a "triage approach, sadly, where just the neediest … are getting attention," said Connie Keating.
"And, you know, they hope that everyone else can cope and it will work out and … be OK."
A Grade 1 teacher shared that she has nine newcomer students who are just learning English, seven others who require speech language therapy, one who is non-verbal and two others who have autism, yet she has "very limited support," said Keating.
Hogan invited English prime teachers to an optional virtual consultation on classroom composition. "We look forward to the conversation and hearing classroom teachers' perspectives and ideas regarding improving classroom composition," the email invite, distributed through principals, and obtained by CBC News, said.
French immersion teachers were not invited.
The meeting comes on the heels of two weeks of public meetings that saw dozens of angry New Brunswickers slam the plan to replace French immersion with a new 50-50 model, where all anglophone kindergarten and elementary students would spend half their day learning English and half learning French.
Hogan noted at the beginning of the meeting with teachers that it wasn't a consultation on the proposed changes to French immersion, said Keating, who did not attend but was briefed by staff.
There's "lots of speculation" about the timing of the meeting, and whether the government is trying to shore up its reasons for adopting the new model for French-second-language education or trying to retreat from it, Keating said. But she declined to offer an opinion, saying that's a question for the minister.
Glad government is listening
"At this point we're certainly glad that … they're listening to what the learning conditions are for our students and the conditions that teachers are working under.
"And, you know, we continue to impress upon government that … we need to slow down and we have to address classroom learning conditions before any, you know, further changes can be made."
About 350 teachers and principals from kindergarten to Grade 12, who teach a range of subjects, including some who have taught French immersion in the past, joined the call, according to Keating.
'Additional pressures on English prime teachers'
In a statement, Hogan said one of the issues that came up repeatedly during the public meetings was class composition. "We wanted to follow up on that immediately," he said.
"It's by hearing from the teachers directly that we will we be able to learn about the strengths and challenges within our system and how they can best be addressed. As such, we are focusing on English Prime teachers — as a group of individuals who are in the classrooms everyday, experiencing these issues."
Education
Minister Bill Hogan said he wanted to hear from English prime teachers
about how they can be 'best supported in providing every child a chance
to reach their full individual potential.' (Ed Hunter/CBC)
Hogan, who worked within the education system for 35 years, said the province has been talking about classroom composition concerns for about 20 of those years.
"When we look at how learning plans and behaviour support plans are dispersed throughout the anglophone school system, an overwhelming number of children with additional learning, social, emotional or behavioural needs are placed in English Prime classrooms. This has resulted in unbalanced classrooms and additional pressures on English Prime teachers," he said in an emailed statement.
"We know there's more work to be done which is why staff sought out a session with English Prime teachers — to hear about their own experiences within the classroom and how they can be best supported in providing every child a chance to reach their full individual potential."
Composition is place to start
Class size came up "over and over" during the meeting, according to Keating, who has been a teacher for 25 years.
She said during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, some grade levels had a reduction in class size.
"Personally, I was a teacher during that time and I can tell you that with greatly reduced numbers, you know what your students' needs are [and] you have the time to intervene with each one."
Another issue that came out "very clearly" during the meeting is the "real need" for qualified professionals and certified teachers, such as speech language pathologists, resource teachers and guidance counsellors, said Keating.
She noted the government has done several studies over the years, including the Porter-Aucoin report, which found New Brunswick's inclusive education policy is under-resourced.
It needs to listen to its own reports and to teachers, who are on the front lines, she said.
Asked whether changes to French immersion are the solution, Keating said the "very clear message" from teachers was that "classroom composition is where we need to start. And classroom composition connects to our learning conditions.
"I don't really think that it's a matter of, you know, French immersion or English prime, and that we really need to be careful that we're not creating an unintentional divide here."
127 Comments
David Amos
Methinks it should be a small wonder why I made a few
calls and told folks to watch the comment sections on this topic closely
N'esy Pas?
David Amos
I suspect that a lot of folks know who this dude really is
Al Clark
Reply to David Amos
Which langue was chucky's in??? He didn't like that big bad sgt either.
I went to see that circus/zoo one day out of curiousity. I was the only one seated in the gallery, though I understand they bring school groups occasionally to see how our gov't "works" . Some scraggly old dude crowed unchallenged for HOURS using a megaphone in the alley outside about his langritch rights (Arch? Jimmy?) . Thought it kinda smacked of favoritism..
David Amos
Reply to David Amos
Al Clark
John Lewis
I know a teenager who is taking online courses on top of his regular classes because he is bored silly. As many people have said, behaviors and struggling learners in the classroom slow down the learning pace of everyone. I understand finances are a concern, but isn't the province flush with cash right now? Maybe the ideal time to experiment with different classroom compositions? Or maybe the old system without inclusion was really better... for EVERYONE, and experimentation is not needed?
Richard Doaks
Reply to John Lewis
There are two people in my family who were special education teachers, now retired, and they agree. Classrooms they think were doomed to fail EVERYONE with inclusion 100% of the time -- the learning abilities are just too broad. A mixture of some special education for some students, and most of the time with these students in the classroom with the rest of their classmates however worked for DECADES.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to John Lewis
Finances are always a huge concern
John Lewis
That meeting was intended to be a private one between teachers and the Minister of Education. Maybe teachers really are working with impossible expectations in a very difficult environment. Maybe inclusion really isn't working? Maybe the current state of our public school's classroom environments really aren't conducive to learning by those students who want to learn.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to John Lewis
Clearly the private part didn't work out
Kyle Woodman
My partner is a teacher and she was telling me how they negotiated class sizes in their last contract. I forget the number. She has never had a class that size though. She said it's considered an emergency situation when they go above the negotiated number. I asked her how long the emergency has been in effect and she said since they negotiated the classroom size in their last contract.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Kyle Woodman
Your partner should be concerned about her pension
DRA and webMD are occasionally entertaining, if mostly repetitive and vapid. The anglo supremacist with 19 new "names" in a week, not so much. 1st plonk in over 6 mos.
David Amos
Reply to Al Clark
So you say
Al Clark
Reply to David Amos
Make it so, Mr 1st mate.
David Amos
Reply to Al Clark
There is no need Methinks everybody knows you do a fine job of exposing yourself without any help from me for a year N'esy Pas?
Al Clark
Reply to David Amos
I do, I do indeed. Indubitably! ;-)
Al Clark
Reply to David Amos
I sincerely missed you! Not ten or so of the canned responses though but I actually checked the obits a couple times. Got any parts for my g4tr btw?
David Amos
Reply to David Amos
Al Clark
My eyes aren't bugged out like some, but, I find this interesting. I always thought that gov't services must be available in both languages. Does this not apply to municipalities. I do know it doesn't apply to the gov't Dixie Lee in Tracadie, as one upset hockey dad figured recently. Saint John has a much larger french population than our favourite party thinks so possibly it doesn't meet this threshold either? Sussex almost certainly doesn't cross the threshold. Are their efforts voluntary or misinformed?
Please, members of the twice failed party abstain 1111
David Amos
Deja Vu Anyone???
LesAcadiensPourParlerEnglishouFrancais VotreChoix
Reply to Robert Losier
Haha, it’s a commemorated day on my calendar lol
And David I hope you see the funny side of our comments. I truly do cherish you. It simply wouldn’t be the NB edition of this site without you!
David Amos
Welcome back to the circus
John Lewis
I know a teenager who is taking online courses on top of his regular classes because he is bored silly. As many people have said, behaviors and struggling learners in the classroom slow down the learning pace of everyone. I understand finances are a concern, but isn't the province flush with cash right now? Maybe the ideal time to experiment with different classroom compositions? Or maybe the old system without inclusion was really better... for EVERYONE, and experimentation is not needed?
Richard Doaks
Reply to John Lewis
There are two people in my family who were special education teachers, now retired, and they agree. Classrooms they think were doomed to fail EVERYONE with inclusion 100% of the time -- the learning abilities are just too broad. A mixture of some special education for some students, and most of the time with these students in the classroom with the rest of their classmates however worked for DECADES.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to John Lewis
Finances are always a huge concern
John Lewis
That meeting was intended to be a private one between teachers and the Minister of Education. Maybe teachers really are working with impossible expectations in a very difficult environment. Maybe inclusion really isn't working? Maybe the current state of our public school's classroom environments really aren't conducive to learning by those students who want to learn.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to John Lewis
Clearly the private part didn't work out
Kyle Woodman
My partner is a teacher and she was telling me how they negotiated class sizes in their last contract. I forget the number. She has never had a class that size though. She said it's considered an emergency situation when they go above the negotiated number. I asked her how long the emergency has been in effect and she said since they negotiated the classroom size in their last contract.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Kyle Woodman
Your partner should be concerned about her pension
David Amos
I wonder who the Clown is that describes himself in this fashion
LesAcadiensPourParlerEnglishouFrancais VotreChoix
What is astounding to me is that sheople are willing to argue him
Kyle Woodman
Reply to David Amos
Fair Point.
David Amos
Reply to Kyle Woodman Apparently too fair
I bet New Brunswick's newest MLA is enjoying this circus as much as I am
David Amos
Reply to David Amos
Independent MLA I should say
Kyle Woodman
Reply to David Amos
Maybe send him some butter tart flavored popcorn?
David Amos
Reply to Kyle Woodman
Naw
Likely his lawyer/ladyfriend would look down on it like I do yellow snow
David Amos
Reply to Kyle Woodman
Perhaps you should
Lou Bell
What I find interesting is teachers complaining
about class size and the inclusion factor . For years school classroom
size was from 28 to 33 or 34 students and ONE teacher ! These days there
is not only one teacher in these classrooms , but with mant several
TA's and assistants . Our education and health systems have become
nothing more than money pits . Priorities in our schools are more about
Health , Social Services , Justice , before education . Our Nurses
complain they are short staffed and when the government offers financial
incentives for new recruits the Nurses Union tells us that money should
go to retaining the Nurses we have and NOT for new hires ! we seem to
be getting mixed messages . In one minute it's about relief and more
staff , then the next they tell us more pay is the fix . Well really ,
what is it ? Is there a shortage or is it just a pay issue ? I have no
faith at all in what we're hearing from the heads of both the Nurses
union and the Teachers union .
David Amos
Reply to Lou Bell
Back away from the butter tarts and take a nap before you have a stroke
Al Clark
Reply to Lou Bell
Mixed messages from charlie Brown? No way !
Graham McCormack
Reply to Lou Bell
There are not several TAs and assistants in a classroom. For an FI classroom you would be lucky to have one.
As for helping the existing nurses, retaining them would help with shortages as well as the level of experience in the system. The nurses haven't said to stop recruiting.
David Amos
Reply to Al Clark
Yea Right
David Amos
Reply to Graham McCormack
I concur David Amos
Methinks somebody is starting to feel their oats and I bet we all know who has been feeding them N'esy Pas?
Matt Steele
It is no secret that French Immersion and Inclusion has severely damaged the N.B. school system , and student outcomes ; and has created a two tiered education system which is based entirely on streaming . As far as more staff , the schools are already staffed to the max with additional teachers and EAs everywhere . Maybe they should take all of these Resource and Guidance Teachers who do not have any classroom teaching duties , and start putting them into an actual classrooms to teach , thereby reducing class sizes . The education system seems to be so poorly managed and produces poor results , yet it has a huge budget that seems to be squandered .
LesAcadiensPourParlerEnglishouFrancais VotreChoix
Reply to Matt Steele
Streaming has been disastrous for NB students. It’s as if people’s futures are decided for them in elementary and middle school. Official bilingualism has created a hollowing out of many communities in NB. It’s just not sustainable to have half of your graduates moving out of province to begin careers and families. Those people should be able to be contributing and building their lives in their home communities and province, not forced to move away because of an economy hampered by unnecessary language requirements. It’s tragic and it needs to stop while there’s still time to save NB.
David Amos
Streaming has been disastrous for NB students. It’s as if people’s futures are decided for them in elementary and middle school. Official bilingualism has created a hollowing out of many communities in NB. It’s just not sustainable to have half of your graduates moving out of province to begin careers and families. Those people should be able to be contributing and building their lives in their home communities and province, not forced to move away because of an economy hampered by unnecessary language requirements. It’s tragic and it needs to stop while there’s still time to save NB.
David Amos
Reply to LesAcadiensPourParlerEnglishouFrancais VotreChoix
Well now do you have to say???
"To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted."
Well now do you have to say???
"To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted."
John Lewis
Reply to LesAcadiensPourParlerEnglishouFrancais VotreChoix
I think streaming would give us the strongest education system for everyone... IF the streaming is done by academic strength.
LesAcadiensPourParlerEnglishouFrancais VotreChoix
Removing official bilingualism and having true duality and all resources in the anglophone school system focused on English language instruction would work better. There is an entire francophone school system available in this province to provide the ultimate immersion experience.
The teachers and parents spoke loud and clear at the consultations: it’s time for a truly anglophone school system. Immersion shouldn’t be replaced with anything except a focused anglophone system focused on English language instruction.
Allan McPartland
Reply to LesAcadiensPourParlerEnglishouFrancais VotreChoix
You are quite correct BUT and it is a big BUT - anglophone students are not allowed to attend Francophone schools
Michael Cain
Reply to Allan McPartland
In New-Brunswick where the official language of the majority is English, Canadian citizens have the right to have their children educated in French if one of these three situations applies:
• their first language learned and still understood is French; or
• they received their own primary education in Canada in French; or
• they have a child who has received or is receiving his or her primary or secondary education in French in Canada.
The New-Brunswick Education Act states that a child with enough French language skills may be admitted to a school in that language.
Also, if a child speaks neither French nor English, he or she may be enrolled in a French school. French-language schools encourage applications from families that are new to New-Brunswick.
Allan McPartland
Reply to Michael Cain
I know what it says but try to enroll an anglophone student into the French system where both parents are not French speaking and see what happens
Michael Cain
Reply to Allan McPartland
No idea if this is your own personal situation, but it is very clear. If you meet the conditions, you will be accepted. If you don't, try French Immersion. I am sure they would provide you with reasons for not acceptance in accordance with the act, and you can appeal as well. You have no issue.
David Amos
Reply to LesAcadiensPourParlerEnglishouFrancais VotreChoix
Deja Vu???
"To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted."
Deja Vu???
"To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted."
Allan McPartland
Reply to LesAcadiensPourParlerEnglishouFrancais VotreChoix
There is a lot of difference between theory and
practice - we tried it - was politely denied - kids ended up enrolling
in the English French immersion system
Michael Cain
Reply to Allan McPartland
Reply to Allan McPartland
The primary consideration would be what is best
for the child. Learning continues outside of the classroom, so that
would be another; mentorship, friends, etc. Then I would wonder about
the parents' motivation. You could send the child to a private boarding
school, if you were that sincere. If all the child gets is 4 or 5 hours
in a French classroom, then logically immersion makes the most sense.
Graham McCormack
Reply to LesAcadiensPourParlerEnglishouFrancais VotreChoix
You keep saying that but it isn't true. That isn't what the teachers said at all.
David Amos
Reply to Graham McCormack
Go figure why he can keep saying it
Automatic reply: YO John Mclaughlin Methinks your boss Big Bad Billy Hogan is gonna oversee quite a circus in Fat Fred City ce soir N'esy Pas Dominic Cardy?
Premier of Ontario | Premier ministre de l’Ontario<Premier@ontario.ca> | Wed, Jan 25, 2023 at 5:07 PM |
| To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> | |
Thank you for your email. Your thoughts, comments and input are greatly valued.
You can be assured that all emails and letters are carefully read, reviewed and taken into consideration.
There may be occasions when, given the issues you have raised and the need to address them effectively, we will forward a copy of your correspondence to the appropriate government official. Accordingly, a response may take several business days.
Thanks again for your email. ______
Merci pour votre courriel. Nous vous sommes très reconnaissants de nous avoir fait part de vos idées, commentaires et observations.
Nous tenons à vous assurer que nous lisons attentivement et prenons en considération tous les courriels et lettres que nous recevons.
Dans certains cas, nous transmettrons votre message au ministère responsable afin que les questions soulevées puissent être traitées de la manière la plus efficace possible. En conséquence, plusieurs jours ouvrables pourraient s’écouler avant que nous puissions vous répondre.
Merci encore pour votre courriel. | |
YO John Mclaughlin Methinks your boss Big Bad Billy Hogan is gonna oversee quite a circus in Fat Fred City ce soir N'esy Pas Dominic Cardy?
David Amos<david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> | Thu, Feb 9, 2023 at 11:24 AM |
| To: connie.keating@nbta.ca, ardith.shirley@nbta.ca, chantal.lafargue@nbta.ca, michael.butler@nbta.ca | |
| Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, rick.cuming@nbta.ca, kim.mckay@nbta.ca | |
https://www.nbta.ca/staff/ President Connie Keating Phone: 506-452-1721 Email: connie.keating@nbta.ca Executive Director Ardith Shirley 506-452-1721 Email: ardith.shirley@nbta.ca Branches: 0214, 0820, 1429, 1827 & Middle Level Council • NBTA Governance & Organizational Oversight • Government Relations & Advocacy • Professional Legal Advice • NBTF & CTF Board of Directors Staff Officer Chantal Lafargue Phone: 506-452-1821 Email: chantal.lafargue@nbta.ca Branches: 0217, 1428, 1454, 1536 & 1725 • Media Relations Coordinator (NBTA & NBTF) • NBTA Communications and Public Relations • Teacher Certification & B.Ed. Program Liaison • Diversity Staff Officer Kim McKay Phone: 506-452-1757 Email: kim.mckay@nbta.ca 0215, 0216, 1431, 1450 & 1724 • NBTA Professional Code of Conduct (Ethics) • Curriculum & Assessment (PCEAC) • Policy & Research Staff Officer Michael Butler Phone: 506-452-1722 Email: michael.butler@nbta.ca Branches: 0618, 0619, 1021, 1022, & 1640 • Pension Services Coordinator • School Leadership (NB LEAD) Staff Officer Rick Cuming Phone: 506-452-1834 Email: rick.cuming@nbta.ca Branches: 1430, 1538, 1608, 1809 & High School Council • Finance • Educational Support Services ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com> Date: Wed, 20 May 2020 16:05:18 -0300 Subject: Re: Too too funny Indeed Methinks Higgy's Police State is out of control N'esy Pas? To: "Anderson-Mason, Andrea Hon. (JAG/JPG)" <Andrea.AndersonMason@gnb.ca>, "andrew.scheer" <andrew.scheer@parl.gc.ca>, "Andy.Fillmore" <Andy.Fillmore@parl.gc.ca>, "Andrew.Harvey" <andrew.harvey@gnb.ca>, "Baumberg, Andrew" <Andrew.Baumberg@cas-satj.gc. <andre@jafaust.com>, "Davidc.Coon" <Davidc.Coon@gmail.com>, briangallant10 <briangallant10@gmail.com>, BrianThomasMacdonald <BrianThomasMacdonald@gmail. AgentMargaritaville <AgentMargaritaville@ <pm@pm.gc.ca>, martine.turcotte@bell.ca, jkee <jkee@google.com>, Joel.Arseneau.IDLM@assnat.qc. <mike.holland@gnb.ca>, "blaine.higgs" <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>, Brenda.Lucki@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, "barbara.massey" <barbara.massey@rcmp-grc.gc.ca <PETER.MACKAY@bakermckenzie. premier <premier@gnb.ca>, premier <premier@gov.ab.ca>, Press <Press@bankofengland.co.uk>, Office of the Premier <scott.moe@gov.sk.ca> Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail. larry.jamieson@nbta.ca, rick.cuming@nbta.ca, nbtanews@nbta.ca ---------- Original message ---------- From: "OfficeofthePremier, Office PREM:EX" <Premier@gov.bc.ca> Date: Wed, 20 May 2020 18:52:37 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: YO Kriisy Austin Methinks Cardy and his deputy George Daley a former president of the New Brunswick Teachers’ Association can never say that I talk behind their back N'esy Pas? To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com> Hello, Thank you for taking the time to write. Due to the volume of incoming messages, this is an automated response to let you know that your email has been received and will be reviewed at the earliest opportunity. If your inquiry more appropriately falls within the mandate of a Ministry or other area of government, staff will refer your email for review and consideration. If you are writing about COVID-19, please refer to the information below: BC’s Restart Plan lays out a series of steps that we will take together to protect people and ensure that our province can come back from COVID-19 stronger than before. For further information, please visit: https://www.gov.bc.ca/ If you or a family member believes they are displaying symptoms of COVID-19, please complete the BC COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool: https://covid19.thrive.health/ demonstrating relevant symptoms, please call 8-1-1 to speak with a healthcare professional. For the answers to common questions about COVID-19, please visit: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/ http://www.bccdc.ca/health- To learn more about federal government programs and information, please click here: https://www.canada.ca/en/ Again, thank you for writing. Sincerely, John Horgan Premier ---------- Original message ---------- From: "Austin, Kris (LEG)" <Kris.Austin@gnb.ca> Date: Tue, 19 May 2020 01:28:33 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: Too too funny Indeed Methinks Higgy's Police State is out of control N'esy Pas? To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com> Thank you for your email. Please be assured that all emails and letters are read carefully. Should your issue be Constituency related, please contact Janet at my constituency office at janet.johnston@gnb.ca or by calling 444-4530 or 440-9542. Thanks again for taking the time to reach out to me with your concerns or input. Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick Assemblée législative du Nouveau-Brunswick Office of Kris Austin, MLA Bureau de Kris Austin, député 506-462-5875 506-462-5875 https://twitter.com/ David Raymond Amos @DavidRayAmos Replying to @DavidRayAmos @alllibertynews and 49 others Methinks Cardy and his deputy George Daley a former president of the New Brunswick Teachers’ Association can never say that I talk behind their back N'esy Pas? https://davidraymondamos3. #nbpoli #cdnpoli https://www.cbc.ca/news/ Teachers are being sent back to class in June, while students stay home The province announced the closure of schools March 13 to slow the spread of coronavirus Elizabeth Fraser · CBC News · Posted: May 19, 2020 5:03 PM AT 33 Comments David Amos Methinks Cardy and his deputy George Daley a former president of the New Brunswick Teachers’ Association and co-president of the New Brunswick Teachers’ Federation can never say that I talk behind their Back N'esy Pas? David Amos POOF???? Surprise Surprise Surprise David Amos Content disabled "Rick Cuming, president of the New Brunswick Teachers' Association, said it's going to be a lot more challenging for teachers at larger schools to return to work. He used the example of Leo Hayes High School and Fredericton High School in Fredericton, which have at least 100 people on staff." Yea right I wonder how many of the aforementioned staff remember me running in the election of the 39th Parliament in Fat Fred City. Methinks folks may rest assured that Cardy certainly does N'esy Pas? David Amos Content disabled Methinks Rick Cuming the president of the New Brunswick Teachers' Association should not deny that I tried to talk to him again N'esy Pas? Johnny Jakobs For less than a month? With no kids? Must be for the internet connection cause Bell ain't got no rural internet. Winston Gray Reply to @Johnny Jakobs: not even all schools have high speed. The old French school in Oromocto shares 1 DSL line with the whole school! Johnny Jakobs Reply to @Winston Gray: wow!! That's ridiculous. David Amos Reply to @Johnny Jakobs: Go figure why millions of things go "Poof" in cyberspace whether there be high speed access or not Ben Haroldson Gov't desperately trying to save face. Don't buy it, they sold out your health and your economy. Michael Hatfield Reply to @Ben Haroldson: all over the world ? David Amos Reply to @Michael Hatfield: YUP Cindy Cooper Parents are teaching dangerous things about gender and capitalism. Urgent that schools get back in charge. James Risdon Reply to @Cindy Cooper: What "dangerous things"? David Peters Reply to @Cindy Cooper: In other words, the brainwashing is wearing off. David Amos Reply to @James Risdon: Trust that you would never understand David Amos Reply to @David Peters: Do Tell Have you ever bothered to Google "Amos Higgs Cardy Butter Tarts" YET??? Rob Sense Not many people were paid to stay at home...just saying. Emery Hyslop-Margison Reply to @Rob Sense: Actually, a lot of people were paid to stay at home. Teachers didn’t ask for this. Graham McCormack: Reply to @Rob Sense: I know a lot of people who aren't teacher who were paid or are still being paid to work from home. David Amos Reply to @Graham McCormack: Me Too Junior Simpson I wonder how much time those kids will use there new iPads doing school work and how much time they will spend playing games and watching videos? David Amos Reply to @Junior Simpson: Me Too Matt Steele It is great to see teachers returning to work ; but thinking that learning from home via the internet will work for kids is a bit of a joke . Education works because schools are structured , and provide a structured learning environment . Cardy squandered $840,000 of the taxpayers cash on computer equipment that was not needed . Not to mention , who does Cardy think will be taking care of these kids at home in the fall when their parents have returned to work . Stay at home education for kids is a non starter SarahRose Werner Reply to @Matt Steele: We agree on this point, Matt. Buying computer equipment was a way of throwing technology at a problem that was caused only partly by lack of technology. The only way learning from home works is when parents have both the ability and the time to support children by filling in the gaps in Internet-based learning. It doesn't work when the parent lacks the ability to do this or when the parent is busy working - even if they're working from home, let alone working outside the home. Lou Bell Reply to @Matt Steele: And you're suggesting to just ignore the disadvantaged ! If we have a recurrence , somethging will need to be done. I'm sure you've all the answers . Do tell !! Lou Bell Reply to @SarahRose Werner: Fifty years of failed bilingualism and inclusion has left a lot of parents who went through our education system with a 3rd rate education at best . Too many resources spent on smaller self interest groups by self interest politicians . David Amos Reply to @Matt Steele: Welcome back to the circus SarahRose Werner This might be a good opportunity for teachers to get some training in adjusting their teaching methods for an online platform and also to trade information with each other as to what's working, what isn't and what to do about it. Fay Briggs Reply to @SarahRose Werner: Also be a good time for the internet providers to fix whatever problems they may have with the network. So that it will be able to carry the extra loads that will be needed to provide internet service to the rural communities. Otherwise, Cardy wasted the money he invested in computer equipment. Lou Bell Reply to @SarahRose Werner: That's a lot of the reasoning for them returning . Preparation for the fall , under whatever scenario COVID throws at them David Amos Reply to @Fay Briggs: I concur | |
---------- Forwarded message ----------
David Amos<david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> | Wed, Jan 25, 2023 at 5:07 PM |
| To: john.mclaughlin@gnb.ca, "Dominic.Cardy" <Dominic.Cardy@gnb.ca>, "blaine.higgs" <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>, Kelly.A.Lamrock@gnb.ca, heidi.cyr@gnb.ca, Nathalie.G.Drouin@pco-bcp.gc.ca, Marco.Mendicino@parl.gc.ca, georges.r.savoie@neguac.com, "David.Coon" <David.Coon@gnb.ca>, "kris.austin" <kris.austin@gnb.ca>, "Rene.Legacy" <Rene.Legacy@gnb.ca>, "robert.mckee" <robert.mckee@gnb.ca>, "Robert. Jones" <Robert.Jones@cbc.ca>, jbosse3058@gmail.com, "robert.gauvin" <robert.gauvin@gnb.ca>, "Dorothy.Shephard" <Dorothy.Shephard@gnb.ca>, "charles.murray" <charles.murray@gnb.ca>, Ross.Wetmore@gnb.ca, "Bill.Oliver" <Bill.Oliver@gnb.ca>, "Bill.Hogan" <Bill.Hogan@gnb.ca>, rob.moore@parl.gc.ca, John.williamson@parl.gc.ca, kerri.froc@unb.ca, hugh.flemming@gnb.ca, "Mike.Comeau" <Mike.Comeau@gnb.ca>, "Mark.Blakely" <Mark.Blakely@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "martin.gaudet" <martin.gaudet@fredericton.ca>, "Holland, Mike (LEG)" <mike.holland@gnb.ca>, "Michelle.Boutin" <Michelle.Boutin@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>, "Bill.Blair" <Bill.Blair@parl.gc.ca>, "Bev.Busson" <Bev.Busson@sen.parl.gc.ca>, "Mitton, Megan (LEG)" <megan.mitton@gnb.ca>, "michelle.conroy" <michelle.conroy@gnb.ca>, "andrea.anderson-mason" <andrea.anderson-mason@gnb.ca>, andre <andre@jafaust.com>, news@dailygleaner.com, oldmaison@yahoo.com, jbosnitch@gmail.com, "Arseneau, Kevin (LEG)" <kevin.a.arseneau@gnb.ca>, kevin.leahy@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, ministryofjustice <ministryofjustice@gov.ab.ca>, premier <premier@gov.ab.ca>, "Jacques.Poitras" <Jacques.Poitras@cbc.ca>, ltgov <ltgov@gnb.ca>, briangallant10 <briangallant10@gmail.com>, BrianThomasMacdonald <BrianThomasMacdonald@gmail.com>, vanessa.moreau@cbc.ca | |
| Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, "pierre.poilievre" <pierre.poilievre@parl.gc.ca>, pm <pm@pm.gc.ca>, "Katie.Telford" <Katie.Telford@pmo-cpm.gc.ca>, "jagmeet.singh" <jagmeet.singh@parl.gc.ca>, premier <premier@ontario.ca>, Office of the Premier <scott.moe@gov.sk.ca>, premier <premier@gov.bc.ca>, premier <premier@gov.nt.ca>, premier <premier@gov.yk.ca>, premier <premier@gov.pe.ca>, premier <premier@leg.gov.mb.ca>, PREMIER <PREMIER@gov.ns.ca>, premier <premier@gov.nl.ca> | |
https://davidraymondamos3. Wednesday, 25 January 2023 Methinks everybody loves a circus N'esy Pas? https://www.cbc.ca/news/ Immersion plan unanimously denounced as Saint John meeting draws large crowd Minister says there’s ‘lots of time’ to opt for keeping immersion this fall Jacques Poitras · CBC News · Posted: Jan 25, 2023 7:47 AM AST A man speaking in front of a crowd Parent Micah Peterson has five children in French immersion now and two more he still hopes to enrol. He spoke against the plan to axe the program. (Jacques Poitras/CBC) The Higgs government faced another angry, skeptical crowd Tuesday night as public consultations on its plan to replace French immersion in New Brunswick schools took place in Saint John. More than 300 people turned out, and all 27 who spoke at the meeting denounced the proposal to implement a new program in time for this fall. "It should go without saying that reducing French immersion by 50 per cent is not going to improve French," said parent Micah Peterson, who has five children in immersion now and two more he still hopes to enrol. He said some of his own immersion classmates from his school years are now teaching immersion to his children. "You think they're going to be able to do that when you cut it in half? It's ridiculous." The immersion program works, and that is backed up with data, all caps. - Olivia Donovan Retired teacher Olivia Donovan of Saint John, who now supervises student teachers for the University of New Brunswick, said the province should use its massive budget surpluses to tackle problems it claims the elimination of immersion will address. "No. 1, it is never wise to axe one program that is working to fix one that is not," she said. "It is the English prime system that needs help. The immersion program works, and that is backed up with data, all caps." The government announced in December that it will start phasing out French immersion in September, replacing it at the kindergarten and Grade 1 levels with a program that will see all students spend half their classroom time learning English and half learning French. That is less French than the current immersion program but more French than what non-immersion students now get. Organizers heckled At last week's consultation in Moncton, an angry crowd forced Department of Education and Early Childhood Development officials to scrap their "world café" meeting format in favour of letting attendees speak at will. In Saint John on Tuesday, the crowd also heckled organizers and called for an open-microphone session. The facilitators compromised by shortening the world café portion and letting anyone who wanted to speak do so. A woman with short white hair speaks into a microphone, crowd in the background Olivia Donovan is a retired teacher who now supervises student teachers for the University of New Brunswick. She says axing French immersion won't fix the problems with the English system. (Jacques Poitras/CBC) The meeting was scheduled to end at 8:30 p.m. but continued until about 9:15 p.m., when no one was left at the microphones. "I heard a lot of great comments tonight," Education Minister Bill Hogan told reporters. "I heard a lot of great concerns." Hogan said the province's plan could still change. "We're having consultations because nothing at this point is written in stone," he said. "If it was written in stone it would be silly to have consultations." PC MLA says 'pump the brakes' on immersion replacement N.B. premier takes political hit over immersion decision, poll suggests Reacting to criticism from one participant who had pointed out the government claims to be listening after already closing registration for French immersion this fall, Hogan told reporters even that could change. "There's still lots of time if we were to choose to do Grade 1 French immersion next year. Like, it's only January. So there's tons of time should we choose that path." Timeline moved up Last October, Premier Blaine Higgs said the replacement for immersion had to start in September 2023 because it was unlikely a major change could happen in 2024, a provincial election year. Hogan said he hopes for a final decision by late winter or early spring. A man and wioman sitting in chairs in a large meeting room. Education Minister Bill Hogan and Minister of Aboriginal Affairs Arlene Dunn listen to speakers during the public consultation session in Saint John. (Jacques Poitras/CBC) Some speakers at the Saint John meeting said they were worried about how children with learning challenges and deaf children would cope with only half their classroom time devoted to learning to read in their first language. Others said eliminating immersion would make it harder for anglophone school graduates to compete for the government jobs that require bilingualism. Neguac pushes back at language-based riding merger on new map Several teachers spoke at Tuesday's session, many of them referring to a New Brunswick Teachers Association email sent Monday that warned members to stick to "pedagogical issues" if they took part in the consultations. Ryan Murphy, a teacher at St. Malachy's Memorial High School, said he was worried about the 10 per cent of his students whose first language is neither English nor French. "They are learning English as they learn to code," he said. "They are learning English as they learn a new world. "We must consider how these students … will be affected by having to learn two new languages. Will resource supports be duplicated for French? … Will that overwhelm the already overwhelmed?" Besides Hogan, only two Progressive Conservative MLAs attended the consultation: Arlene Dunn, a cabinet minister and member for Saint John Harbour, and Andrea Anderson-Mason of Fundy-The Isles-Saint John West, who last week urged the government to "pump the brakes" on the plan. A final in-person consultation is scheduled for Wednesday night in Fredericton, with two more virtual meetings planned for next week. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jacques Poitras Provincial Affairs reporter Jacques Poitras has been CBC's provincial affairs reporter in New Brunswick since 2000. He grew up in Moncton and covered Parliament in Ottawa for the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal. He has reported on every New Brunswick election since 1995 and won awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association, the National Newspaper Awards and Amnesty International. He is also the author of five non-fiction books about New Brunswick politics and history. CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices All Comments David Amos Methinks everybody loves a circus N'esy Pas? https://www.cbc.ca/news/ Teachers advised by NBTA to be careful about what they say at public hearings Teachers' association says letter has been 'misconstrued' and was intended to encourage participation Mia Urquhart · CBC News · Posted: Jan 24, 2023 3:35 PM AST Connie Keating, president of the New Brunswick Teachers' Association, said the letter was intended to 'empower teachers' to speak up during consultations over the proposed changes to French immersion. (Raechel Huizinga/CBC via Zoom) Teachers thinking about attending public hearings on the plan to change the way French is taught in New Brunswick have been warned to watch what they say. The message was sent by email Monday to all members of the New Brunswick Teachers' Association. "Teachers are free to publicly express their opinions on pedagogical issues," according to the letter, a copy of which was obtained by CBC News. "Factual opinions expressed in an objective and respectful manner are critical to authentic consultation." But teachers were reminded that "the professional hat" of teacher can never be removed. "Given this, we advise that teachers cannot speak in any specificity regarding their individual students, or their families, as this would be a breach of confidentiality." Anger, heckling mark Moncton consultation effort on proposed changes to French immersion Teachers were also cautioned against using "words or actions that would discredit or bring disrepute to themselves, our profession or the education system." Doing so, it warned, "could result in sanctions from their employer or their professional association." The letter said association officials were present as observers at the consultations held in Bathurst and Moncton. "There will also be staff present at this week's planned consultations in Saint John, Fredericton and the upcoming online sessions," said the message. Letter 'misconstrued' When contacted on Tuesday, association president Connie Keating said the letter has been "misconstrued." She said it was intended to "empower teachers who were concerned that they should not speak up" during consultations. "The NBTA encourages teachers to continue to share their professional views in a respectful way while being mindful of their position of trust as they have at the first two consultations." Keating said staff members attended the meeting "to be supportive of teachers and witness" the Department of Education's process." She was not made available for an interview, as requested. Proposed changes criticized Last month, Education Minister Bill Hogan announced changes to the way French is taught. The changes mean more French for non-immersion students, but less than immersion students currently receive. The planned changes have received a lot of criticism since first announced. In a live-streamed but scripted question-and-answer session last week, Hogan said changes to the program could still be made, based on feedback from several public sessions. Around 300 people attended a session Monday in Moncton, where tempers flared and hecklers often disrupted the proceedings. About 20 people spoke during the two-hour event — none in support of the proposed changes. People lining up to enter a hotel ballroom. People lined up through the foyer and down the stairs at the Delta Beausejour Hotel to attend the in-person consultation on Monday night in Moncton. (Maeve McFadden/CBC) In early January, the teachers' association polled its members about the proposed program. Nearly 90 per cent of the 1,462 teachers who responded "do not believe the [Department of Education] is keeping them well informed about the changes," according to Monday's email sent to teachers. Sixty-five per cent reported feeling "dismayed" by what the government is calling the "innovative immersion program." The email also included several quotes from teachers describing why they are dismayed, including: "We barely have time to cover everything we have to cover in English. How are we going to cover everything and then add in French as well? "How is EECD going to provide a balanced, well-thought-out curriculum for the new program in such a short period of time?" "I have been teaching 25 years in kindergarten this year. I should not at this point have to worry about what I will be teaching next year. Will I be forced to retire before I am financially or emotionally ready?" "It is awful, in my opinion, that we are not having conversations around the real issues … lack of EAs, lack of support services, lack of supply teachers, lack of teachers in general for that matter." "It is disheartening to be part of the continual "change" culture which is the Dept of Ed. I do believe that French Immersion has resulted in numerous bilingual people entering our workforce." The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development was asked on Tuesday morning for comment about the letter from the teachers' association but had not provided one by publication time. Two down, two to go Two more in-person sessions are planned this week: Tuesday, Jan. 24, at the Delta Saint John. Wednesday, Jan. 25 at the Delta Fredericton. Each will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. There will also be two virtual sessions, one on Jan. 31 and the other on Feb. 2. The online survey will continue to be available until Feb. 3. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mia Urquhart Mia Urquhart is a journalist with CBC New Brunswick, based in Saint John. She can be reached at mia.urquhart@cbc.ca. CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices On 1/22/23, David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail. > https://davidraymondamos3. > > Tuesday, 17 January 2023 > > N.B. premier takes political hit over immersion decision, poll suggests > > > https://www.cbc.ca/news/ > > > 333 comments were not deactivated when I had this exchange > > > Al Clark > Listened to the CBC political panel at 1730. Much more info, including > that Blaine told a journalist today that "it's just a proposal" . LOL > stay tuned for a new "plan" following backlash... > > > David Amos > Reply to Al Clark > Methinks many would agree that the gossip about Leger was far more > interesting N'esy Pas? > > > Al Clark > Reply to David Amos > Gossip? A pretty clear explanation of how Leger's advice would be the > direct opposite to the other advisor - Austin. Pretty clear Blaine > wants to pacify 1% of the population while ignoring 80% of the > population. Bonne chance is all I can say ;-) > > > David Amos > Reply to Al Clark > Dream on > > > > > https://www.cbc.ca/listen/ > > Shift - NB with Vanessa Vander Valk > Political Panel: Immersion Developments > Play Segment 18:53 > Share Segment > We gather our panel of politics watchers for the first time in 2023. > Lots to dig into today, including some developments on immersion > changes. > Aired: Jan. 20, 2023 > > https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/ > > https://webcache. > > Google Translate > > See page 10: Haggling Je Cuisses de Grenouilles Festival Full meal: > noon and evening 881 de Maisonneuve, East.(el.: 527-12 Liberal leader, > Mr. Doug Young. Conservative leader, Mr. Richard Hatfield. Neo- > Democrat, Mr.George Little. New Brunswick at the polls 1 ) Hatfield, > the goat and the cabbage FREDERICTON - Prime Minister of Canada's only > officially bilingual province, Mr.Richard Hatfield, in 21 years of > politics.has learned to manage the goat and the cabbage, but he would > like to have free rein and not relive the four tightrope years he has > just experienced in Fredericton, at the head of a Conservative > government with a majority of only two seats. by François Barbeau: It > takes months to convince his electors, Anglophones and Francophones, > to grant him a fourth consecutive term. on the support of > Francophones, Acadians s of the province, and this support, he will > have to obtain it without offending the Anglophone, loyalist and > Protestant majority, among whom the Conservative Party has its roots. > close to 13%, Mr. Hatfield puts all the weight of a vast program of > job creation in the electorate balance, to make it lean on his side. > This program, he underlines, would not be effective if his government > did not seek at the same time to create a favorable economic climate > and to protect its already existing jobs which would perhaps be > compromised by external factors. A slogan familiar to Quebecers, > > > https://davidraymondamos3. > > Tuesday, 17 January 2023 > Higgs losing chief of staff Louis Léger > https://www.cbc.ca/news/ > > Higgs losing chief of staff Louis Léger > Top adviser to premier played 'a diplomatic role' to francophone > community, Acadian leader says > > Jacques Poitras · CBC News · Posted: Jan 17, 2023 11:39 AM AST > > > > https://www.cbc.ca/news/ > > PC MLA says 'pump the brakes' on immersion replacement > Deputy minister tells MLAs government could still opt for ‘something > different’ > > Jacques Poitras · CBC News · Posted: Jan 20, 2023 4:25 PM AST > > > A woman sits at a table in front of a laptop computer in the new > Brunswick legislature.Progressive Conservative MLA Andrea > Anderson-Mason expressed concerns about the speed at which the new > French-language program will be introduced into New Brunswick's > schools. (Jacques Poitras/CBC) > > The morning after a raucous and angry public meeting about the Higgs > government's plan to replace French immersion, a Progressive > Conservative MLA called on the province to "pump the brakes" on the > plan. > > Fundy-The Isles-Saint John West MLA Andrea Anderson-Mason says she > shares the concerns expressed at a public meeting Thursday night in > Moncton. > > "I am incredibly concerned about the timing and how much more our > teachers can handle," Anderson-Mason told education officials during a > meeting of the legislature's public accounts committee Friday. > > During that meeting, the Education Department's deputy minister for > anglophone schools John McLaughlin suggested the province could still > reverse course on the plan for a 50-50 model of English-French > learning for all anglophone students. > > Anger, heckling mark Moncton consultation effort on proposed > changes to French immersion > > During that meeting, the Education Department's deputy minister for > anglophone schools John McLaughlin sugges > > Anger, heckling mark Moncton consultation effort on proposed changes > to French immersion > > "The consultation ends on Feb. 3 and then there would be a decision > made about whether to proceed with this model or something different," > he told the legislature's public accounts committee. > > "I want to be clear this is a proposal." > > People lining up to enter a hotel ballroom. People lined up through > the foyer and down the stairs at the Delta Beausejour Hotel in Moncton > on Thursday evening to attend the in-person consultation. The meeting > became heated at times. (Maeve McFadden/CBC) > > Anderson-Mason says she fears the change would be disruptive at the > same time teachers in the English system are set to roll out a > promising new method of teaching reading skills. > > "I am so passionate about making sure that we get our literacy right > in the province of New Brunswick before we tinker with anything else," > she told McLaughlin. > > She went further in a scrum with reporters. > > "Pump the brakes. We are just getting this new literacy program in > place. … So to now interrupt it to say we're going to spend half the > day in French and half the day in English, I am concerned that they > haven't taken enough time to address that issue." > > She pointed out a recent 2021 assessment found only 59.5 per cent of > Grade 4 students reading at an appropriate level. > > "We're going to load even more on these educators. We've finally found > out a way we can successfully teach kids how to read, and now we're > going to interrupt the program by cutting their days in half." > > Anderson-Mason said she was "not at all surprised" by the concerns and > criticisms raised by an angry crowd of more than 300 people at the > department's public consultation session in Moncton Thursday night. > > A man in suit and tie seated at a table in the New Brunswick > legislature. John McLaughlin, the Education Department’s deputy > minister for anglophone schools, suggested the province could still > reverse course on the plan for a 50-50 model of English-French > learning for all anglophone students. (Jacques Poitras/CBC) > > McLaughlin called the consultations so far "robust" and said teachers > at the Moncton meeting were "very frank about what their beliefs are, > and that's all very important information to us. > > "The last few weeks have been quite revealing and instructive for all > of us," he added. "We have this goal, we have this framework. We're > hearing now what the concerns are. Many of the concerns we knew up > front. They're much more clear now." > > Two more in-person public sessions are scheduled for next week in > Fredericton and Saint John, and two more virtual sessions will happen > the week after that. > > The new model will replace the French immersion program with a system > of French second-language learning for all anglophone students. > > Kindergarten and Grade 1 students will start the program this fall, > with immersion phased out year by year. > > From kindergarten to Grade 5, all students will spend half the school > day in "exploratory learning" of French. > > That's less French than what's offered in immersion, but considerably > more than what is taught now to non-immersion anglophone students. > > The goal is for all graduates to have at least a conversational level > in French, and to end the phenomenon of "streaming," in which students > with learning challenges tend to end up clustered in non-immersion > classrooms. > No one happy? > > Anderson-Mason told reporters that she has heard from some parents > upset their kids will get less French, and from others who don't want > their kids learning any French at all. > > "I'm not hearing a lot of people in the middle saying 'This is great.' > In fact I'm hearing very little of it at all," she said. > > Opposition MLAs and other critics have warned there may not be enough > teachers in place by fall to roll out the new program. > > Forty per cent of teachers who now teach French as a second language > lack the proper level of aptitude in the language, the committee was > told Friday. > > Initially the change was supposed to happen in September 2024 but last > fall Premier Blaine Higgs said it would happen this coming fall. > > McLaughlin told MLAs the change to the timeline didn't come from the > department. > > "There was a government decision to change that." > > He said the department believes the timeline is reasonable "but we > also have to make sure that our schools and our teachers feel it's > reasonable and that parents feel it's reasonable." > ABOUT THE AUTHOR > > Jacques Poitras > > Provincial Affairs reporter > > Jacques Poitras has been CBC's provincial affairs reporter in New > Brunswick since 2000. He grew up in Moncton and covered Parliament in > Ottawa for the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal. He has reported on > every New Brunswick election since 1995 and won awards from the Radio > Television Digital News Association, the National Newspaper Awards and > Amnesty International. He is also the author of five non-fiction books > about New Brunswick politics and history. > CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices > > > > 128 Comments > > > David Amos > CONTENT DEACTIVATED > Welcome back to Higgy's circus > > > > > David Amos > Methinks the lady doth protest too much Seems that the former Attorney > General forgot what happened when she went against the plan of Higgy > and his former Minister Education the not so long gone Mr Cardy N'esy > Pas? > > > Protect EnglishNB > CONTENT DEACTIVATED > Reply to David Amos > If enough PC MLAs walk then Higgs is done. It’s almost > incomprehensible how people like Kris Austin and Michelle Conroy can > go along with a plan to force all Anglo NB students to spend half the > day being educated in French. > > > David Amos > CONTENT DEACTIVATED > Reply to Protect EnglishNB > Deja Vu? > > https://www.cbc.ca/news/ > > > David Amos > CONTENT DEACTIVATED > Reply to David Amos > More ? > > https://www.cbc.ca/news/ > > "As I sit in the hospital on November 19th without a Medicare Card I > will take great interest in seeing if Kris Austin remains true to his > word and supports Higgy for another six months as he reboots the > circus with an new speech from the throne. Trust that I am looking > forward to arguing the lawyers Carrier, Poirier, Logan, Eidt, > Anderson-Mason and Flemming about my right to Health Care, to no false > imprisonment, language rights, abortion, the whereabouts of my old > Harley and Yankee wiretap tapes of the mob in its saddlebag among > other things. > > Anderson-Mason may act confused as Cardy yaps about education, Steeves > talks of their prowess with money and Gauvin protects the francophones > from Flemming's plans while Higgy battles unions and does the double > talk on carbon tax and demands upon Saint John, to balance their books > etc. However they are fooling nobody when Holland brags of protecting > forests after they are mowed down. One thing is for certain Cardy's > silly bill will be swept aside as I laugh at all the nonsense at the > circus because I made certain that Vickers knows why methinks he > doesn't want Higgy's job N'esy Pas? " > > David Amos > CONTENT DEACTIVATED > Reply to David Amos > 6 months later obviously Anderson-Mason and Cardy were still feuding > > https://www.cbc.ca/news/ > > "At the same time, two Progressive Conservative cabinet ministers > continue to spar over the need for the legislation. > > Attorney-General Andrea Anderson-Mason has repeatedly signalled she's > not comfortable with the bill, and in a recent Facebook post > implicitly rejected Cardy's description of its opponents. > > "I was originally told that the only people who would oppose this bill > would be people on the fringe," she said in a May 24 post. "That was > incorrect." > > She said that "being told by government what you can or cannot do with > your body does not settle well." > > Cardy said Tuesday he was not concerned with his PC cabinet > colleague's comments. > > "I think Andrea Anderson-Mason's comments have been pretty clear, and > I think mine are as well, and I'm happy mine are backed by science and > reason, and I'm happy to go forward on that basis," he said. > > Cardy also repeated his criticisms of opponents of the bill, including > protestors on the lawn of the legislature Tuesday who didn't practice > physical distancing from each other. > > He described them as people "who subscribe to a vague, weird Trumpian > ideal of how the world works." > > The unusual public spectacle of two ministers sparring over a piece of > legislation would normally be untenable in the Westminster system of > cabinet government. > > But Higgs is allowing all his MLAs, including his ministers, a free > vote on the bill. > > "I don't relish the idea of two ministers duking it out in the public, > but it is what it is," he said Tuesday. "They can each vote their own > way." > > Anderson-Mason did not respond to an interview request Wednesday." > > > David Amos > CONTENT DEACTIVATED > https://www.cbc.ca/news/ > > "New Brunswick's attorney general has apologized for the apparent use > of her office's power to sway the Anglophone South district education > council. > > Andrea Anderson-Mason, who is also the justice minister, sent a letter > to the council last September about transporting children from their > schools to a certain daycare, something the council had said was > impossible due to lack of funds. > > The Progressive Conservative MLA told CBC News last week she was told > the act was seen as "political interference" and shouldn't engage in > that discussion. > It's part of the reason behind her recent Facebook post on her > official MLA page criticizing the district education council model. In > it, she said the province is considering dismantling the elected > councils to have more "local control, not top down control." > > > Lou Bell > CONTENT DEACTIVATED > Reply to David Amos > This MLA again showing who she represents and who she doesn't . > Certainly not an " all for one , one for all MLA " ! > > > > > > > Dee MacDonald > It's not true that no one is happy, many don't speak out. Immersion is > a 50+ year failure. > > > Protect EnglishNB > CONTENT DEACTIVATED > Reply to Dee MacDonald > It is, but taking away choice for all anglophone students to be > educated in English is not the solution. > > > David Amos > CONTENT DEACTIVATED > Reply to Dee MacDonald > https://www.cbc.ca/news/ > > "French immersion was the last straw between Premier Blaine Higgs and > Dominic Cardy. > > The education minister's dramatic resignation last week was sparked by > the premier's insistence that immersion be replaced next fall by a > yet-to-be-defined new program. > > There's no starker illustration of their disagreement over that > September 2023 date than the Higgs government's own website. > > As of 4:30 p.m. on Monday, the "Evolving French Language Learning" > page still showed a slow and careful two-year consultation process > leading to implementation in September 2024 – a timeline Higgs has now > publicly rejected as too slow. > > "My goal would be that we would be able to roll out a change in the > program in the fall of '23," he told reporters the day Cardy quit. > > Higgs said that was the original target date, "and then it got moved." > > David Amos > CONTENT DEACTIVATED > Reply to David Amos > https://www.cbc.ca/news/ > > "The deputy minister of education for anglophone schools has been > fired as the Higgs government continues its controversial push to > replace French immersion with a new model in less than 10 months. > > An internal memorandum to deputy ministers from executive council > clerk Cheryl Hansen, the head of the public service, confirms George > Daley "is leaving the department." > > He's been replaced by his predecessor, John McLaughlin, who retired > from the position on the day Daley was appointed three years ago this > week. > > The Education Department has two deputy ministers, one for the > anglophone school system and one for the francophone system. > > In a statement to CBC News, Premier Blaine Higgs thanked Daley for > "the valuable contribution he made in his role during the pandemic" > but did not comment on why he removed him. > > "We remain committed to creating a world-class education system and > helping more anglophone sector students reach their full potential," > Higgs said." > > > > https://www.cbc.ca/news/ > > > Anger, heckling mark Moncton consultation effort on proposed changes > to French immersion > Organizers unprepared for large crowd, more than double what was expected > > Maeve McFadden · CBC News · Posted: Jan 20, 2023 7:59 AM AST > > > A woman holds up two home made signs. Eva Dickson from Sackville > brought signs made by her two daughters, who are upset about the > proposed changes to French immersion in the province. (Maeve > McFadden/CBC) > > Tempers and emotions flared almost from the start Thursday night at a > public consultation in Moncton on the plan to change French-language > education in New Brunswick. > > It was the third consultation put on by the Department of Education to > discuss what it calls the "innovative immersion program." > > Organizers were unprepared for the large crowd. They'd expected about > 135 people, but more than 300 lined up at a downtown hotel to take > part. > > Hotel staff scrambled to extend the size of the ballroom where the > consultation was to happen, delaying the start by almost an hour. > > Education minister maintains changes can still be made to > immersion replacement > > Staff with the Department of Education had planned to use a world café > format for the event. > > Participants were seated at tables of eight with the goal of > encouraging constructive dialogue on the plan to replace French > immersion starting in September and instead have students spend half > their days in "exploratory learning" in French. > > This format was soon abandoned. > > People lining up to enter a hotel ballroom. People lined up in the > foyer and down the stairs at the Delta Beausejour Hotel in Moncton to > attend the in-person consultation (Maeve McFadden/CBC) > > Education Minister Bill Hogan started the evening by welcoming the > attendees, but people immediately heckled him. > > "Here's how tonight's going to work," Hogan responded. "We can be > respectful and follow the process or we just shut it off right now. > You choose." > > One participant yelled at Hogan, "You're not the principal here." > > The minister was interrupted repeatedly as he continued to explain the > purpose of the consultation. > > "I'm not going to argue with you," he said. "I'm not going to debate > for airtime. If you don't want to listen to me, that's fine." > > Despite the interruptions, Hogan told the crowd he respected their > opinions. He explained the goal of the consultation was to hear what > people like and don't like about the proposed changes and what changes > they would suggest. > > "It's a framework, so based on the feedback we get from across the > province, will help us develop what the program will actually look > like," Hogan said. > > Bespectacled man in a dark suit sitting at a table > Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Bill > Hogan had a difficult time keeping the discussion on track, so much so > that the expected format of the night had to be changed. (Government > of New Brunswick/YouTube) > > Deputy education minister John McLaughlin was invited to give an > overview of the proposed model. He explained the feedback from the > public will be used to provide the minister with advice on what is in > "the best interest of the province." > > "I can sense in this room there's great disagreement with this model," > he said. "But I also did wander around and spoke to some people who > are very supportive of it." > > N.B. premier takes political hit over immersion decision, poll suggests > > McLaughlin was interrupted numerous times with comments and questions > from the crowd, despite reminding them the session was not to be a > question-and-answer format. > > "I was really hoping this would be a more collegial kind of evening," > he said to hecklers. > > "We believe it's a good program. You may not agree. We want to hear > from you in a respectful way but it's not like somebody's out there > trying to ruin the lives of kids. We're trying to make it better." > Format scrapped > > Despite trying to stick to the original format, organizers opted to > open the microphones to anyone interested in making comments. > > About 20 people spoke during the two-hour session, none in support of > the proposed changes. > > Hannah Davidson called the new model being proposed "flawed." The > mother of two has been working as a French immersion teacher for 25 > years. > > She raised her concerns about the lack of French-speaking teachers to > fill the new positions that would be needed for the program. > > A woman. Hannah Davidson called the new model for French-language > education flawed. The mother of two has been working as a French > immersion teacher for 25 years. (Maeve McFadden/CBC) > > Davidson also said the proposed model would not help the many students > in the system who read below grade level and are now in the English > program instead of French immersion. > > "If we want to help these struggling readers," she said. " We should > not expect them to spend 40 to 60 per cent of their day learning a > second language as the new model proposes." > > Kristin Cavoukian, a political scientist who moved to Moncton a year > and a half ago from Ontario and is a member of the district education > council, said her daughter is in the French immersion program. > > She told McLaughlin that she read his report and she described it as > "short on hard data and long on anecdote." > > Cavoukian raised her concerns about the province's approach to making > changes. > > "It's not acceptable to have consultations after you have made a > decision," she said, which was followed by loud applause and cheers > from the crowd. > > A woman. Kristin Cavoukian moved to Moncton from Ontario a year and a > half ago. She told deputy minister John McLaughlin she read his report > on the French-language instruction and described it as 'short on hard > data and long on anecdote.' (Maeve McFadden/CBC) > > She said the district education council hears from parents who are > "fuming mad" about the changes. > > Cavoukian said some parents are deciding to leave New Brunswick > because they say their children will have a better French immersion > education elsewhere. > > "My sincere advice to you", she continued "is to withdraw this proposal > now." > > There will be two more in-person public consultation sessions this month: > > Jan. 24 at the Delta Saint John > Jan. 25 at the Delta Fredericton > > Each will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. > > There will also be two virtual sessions, one on Jan. 31 and the other on > Feb. 2. > > The online survey will continue to be available until Feb. 3. > ABOUT THE AUTHOR > > Maeve McFadden > > CBC New Brunswick > > Maeve McFadden is a producer with Information Morning Moncton. > maeve.mcfadden@cbc.ca > CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices > > > > 333 Comments > > > > Al Clark > Listened to the CBC political panel at 1730. Much more info, including > that Blaine told a journalist today that "it's just a proposal" . LOL > stay tuned for a new "plan" following backlash... > > > David Amos > Reply to Al Clark > Methinks many would agree that the gossip about Leger was far more > interesting N'esy Pas? > > > Al Clark > Reply to David Amos > Gossip? A pretty clear explanation of how Leger's advice would be the > direct opposite to the other advisor - Austin. Pretty clear Blaine > wants to pacify 1% of the population while ignoring 80% of the > population. Bonne chance is all I can say ;-) > > > David Amos > Reply to Al Clark > Dream on > > > > > David Amos > CONTENT DEACTIVATED > Wow 303 comments still remain > > > > > stephen magee > What a site there is a pile of deactivated messages, then again this > is a CBC site. > > > valmond landry > Reply to stephen magee > you know what there is a chosen few that never get deactivated . > > > David Amos > Reply to stephen magee > Oh So True > > > Chris Waddell > Reply to David Amos > I rarely post because even some of my most innocuous posts got > deactivated... So I feel why bother? > > > David Amos > CONTENT DEACTIVATED > Reply to Chris Waddell > I was blocked for a year > > > Chris Waddell > Reply to David Amos > Ahhh that's where you were! > > > Al Clark > Reply to David Amos > Did you try a coffee solution? Soap solution? > > > > > > Toby Tolly > all I can hope for is that they allowed the heckling in both official > languages > > (and any other language spoken in this province) > > David Amos > Reply to Toby Tolly > Me Too > > > > > Robert Losier > CONTENT DEACTIVATED > Is that Mr Manbun from J Division protesting fame. > > > David Amos > Reply to Robert Losier > Say Hey to your RCMP buddies for me will ya? > > > Robert Losier > Reply to David Amos > I have no buddies Police or otherwise. Even my relatives aren't friends. > > > David Amos > CONTENT DEACTIVATED > Reply to Robert Losier > Methinks everybody knows corrupt cops don't have friends N'esy Pas? > > > Toby Tolly > Reply to Robert Losier > take the i > > out of your last name Mr. > > Al Clark > Reply to Toby Tolly > Just what I was thinking about the good Dr, Lots of Love > > > David Amos > Reply to Toby Tolly > Well put > > > > > > Frank Richardson > CONTENT DEACTIVATED > It is a fact that the Quebec Langauge is not even real French. It is > French from France turned around by Quebecers. Real French people do > not understand the Quebec language, and Quebecers do not understand > the French Language. > > > David Amos > Reply to Frank Richardson > Methinks everybody knows that I prefer Chiac N'esy Pas? > > > Pete Parent > Reply to Frank Richardson > Then it has to be the exact same thing for the english language. How > could it be otherwise? It is a fact that just like the french > language, the Canadian English is not quite the same as British > English. > > > Pete Parent > Reply to Frank Richardson > If you are from Ontario and go to NFLD or Texas...the english is not > quite the same either..... > > > Robert Losier > CONTENT DEACTIVATED > Reply to Pete Parent > Yeah that's why there is no such thing as British Comedy that can be > understood by English speaking Canadians. > > > Al Clark > Reply to Frank Richardson > Oh yeah that's a "fact" all right. Hahaha! > > > > > > > June Arnott > Low turnout considering the population. Not the majority! > > > Suzanne Bernier > Reply to June Arnott > This is just the beginning. > > > Robert Losier > Reply to Suzanne Bernier > ooooooooooooo > > > David Amos > Reply to Suzanne Bernier > I concur > > > Robert Losier > CONTENT DEACTIVATED > Reply to David Amos > Double ooooooooooooo > > > > > > > Dennis Atchison > In a previous story on the same topic, I wanted to note a "world café" > format would never preclude the outcome ... which was the big > complaint which emerged out of the previous "consultation" by > government. This means the hosts are not true to the process of > consensus decision making. I wanted to clarify this, because having > delivered and facilitated World Café, Pro Action Café and Open Space > Forums, I know by experience the process works ... but not how the > government is currently implementing it. > > > David Amos > Reply to Dennis Atchison > I remember it quite well in fact I blogged about it > > > Robert Losier > Reply to David Amos > And I read every line. What's up with no one commenting? > > > > > David Amos > Welcome to the circus > > > David Amos > CONTENT DEACTIVATED > Reply to David Amos > Deja Vu Anyone? > > https://www.cbc.ca/news/ > > N.B. premier takes political hit over immersion decision, poll suggests > 72 per cent of respondents say opinion of premier has ‘deteriorated’ > > Jacques Poitras · CBC News · Posted: Jan 17, 2023 1:00 PM AST > > > According to the poll, taken in December, 72 per cent of respondents > said their opinion of Premier Blaine Higgs had deteriorated 'over the > past few months.' (Ed Hunter/CBC) > > The Higgs government's decision to replace French immersion is turning > into a major political liability for the Progressive Conservatives, > according to a poll commissioned by a lobby group fighting the move. > > The New Brunswick chapter of Canadian Parents for French has released > a poll by the research firm Leger suggesting the Opposition Liberals > now have a big lead over the PCs in voting intentions. > > It also suggests the plan to replace immersion is deeply unpopular. > > "It tells me that the government of New Brunswick is not in sync with > the people of New Brunswick," said the chapter's executive director > Chris Collins. > > According to the poll, taken in December, 72 per cent of respondents > said their opinion of Premier Blaine Higgs had deteriorated "over the > past few months." > > Man in brown jacket with closely cropped grey hair.Chris Collins of > the New Brunswick chapter of Canadian Parents for French, said he > hopes the poll results will persuade some PC members of the > legislature to push back against the replacement of immersion. > (Jacques Poitras/CBC) > > The same percentage told the pollster they agreed it is "important for > anglophone parents in New Brunswick to have the opportunity to send > their child(ren) to a French immersion school." > > Asked which party they'd most likely vote for if an election were held > now, 40 per cent of respondents said the Liberals compared to just 22 > per cent for Higgs's PCs. > > The Greens were at 15 per cent, the NDP at 12 and the People's Alliance at > nine. > > N.B. radically rethinks French second-language education > > Analysis > Higgs's legacy is on the line in 2023 as he redefines language goals > > The next provincial election is scheduled for Oct. 21, 2024. Higgs > said in December he hasn't decided whether to lead the party into that > campaign or retire. > > The government announced in December it will replace immersion > starting next fall for students entering Grade 1 and kindergarten. > > Those students will instead spend half their days in what the province > called "exploratory learning" in French. That's more time than what > non-immersion students get now but less time than the immersion > program. > > Collins said he hopes the poll results will persuade some PC members > of the legislature to push back against the replacement of immersion. > > "I think it will change the minds of members of the legislative > assembly who are on the precipice of losing their seats in areas like > Moncton, Saint John and Fredericton," he said. > Bespectacled man in a dark suit sitting at a table > Education Minister Bill Hogan began a series of public consultation > sessions on immersion Monday night with a livestream in which he > answered previously submitted questions from the public. (Government > of New Brunswick/YouTube) > > "I think there's going to be a lot of dissension in caucus when people > are seeing those kinds of numbers on their premier, and they're > thinking, 'How does this set me up for the next election in '24?" > > On Monday night, Education Minister Bill Hogan took part in the first > of several public meetings on the changes. > > During a series of vetted questions and scripted answers, Hogan said > it was still possible the new model could change. > > "Let me be clear," he said. "There's still a chance for New > Brunswickers to have their say." > > Analysis > Cardy resignation puts focus on French immersion's future > > In the Leger poll, 63 per cent of respondents said they were against > "abolishing" French immersion. > > In response to another question about the policy change, only 22 per > cent of respondents agreed that immersion "must be abolished and a new > French as a second language program should be implemented." > > A far larger share, 55 per cent, agreed that "the current French > immersion program should be maintained, but make it accessible to more > students, even if they are not in immersion programs." > > The 18-point gap in voting intentions in favour of the Liberals over > the PCs is a bigger lead than what the Liberals have enjoyed in recent > surveys by Halifax-based Narrative Research. > > The last Narrative poll from November 2022 had the Liberals ahead 39 to 30. > > Analysis > Immersion plan stirs ghost of Blaine Higgs's COR past > > Leger said it conducted its web-based survey of 500 New Brunswickers > from Dec. 15 to 23, a period that included the announcement on > replacing immersion. > > Because the poll was done with an online panel and not a random > sample, the firm said it was impossible to calculate a margin of > error. But it said a poll that size using a random sample would be > accurate to within 4.4 percentage points 19 times out of 20. > > The company said the results were weighted by gender, age, mother > tongue, education, region and presence of children in a household to > reflect New Brunswick's population. > ABOUT THE AUTHOR > > Jacques Poitras > > Provincial Affairs reporter > > Jacques Poitras has been CBC's provincial affairs reporter in New > Brunswick since 2000. He grew up in Moncton and covered Parliament in > Ottawa for the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal. He has reported on > every New Brunswick election since 1995 and won awards from the Radio > Television Digital News Association, the National Newspaper Awards and > Amnesty International. He is also the author of five non-fiction books > about New Brunswick politics and history. > CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices| > > > > 151 Comments > > > David Amos > CONTENT DEACTIVATED > Methinks folks who go to the Gowan Brae Golf Club in Bathurst tonight > should ask the former Speaker Chris Collins and his buddy Minister > Bill Hogan if they have read the notice barring me from legislative > properties and whether or not it is written in two official languages > N'esy Pas? > > > > > David Amos > CONTENT DEACTIVATED > Methinks the former Speaker Chris Collins speaks with a forked tongue > he and Higgy et al know the document barring me from legislative > properties many moons ago is written only one official language which > offends my rights under the Charter N'esy Pas? > > > > Jos Allaire > Higgs is a goner. > > > David Amos > Reply to Jos Allaire > Dream on > > > > > Wes Gullison > " according to a poll done by a ""lobby group against the changes" > > Lol! Seriously Jacques? > > David Amos > CONTENT DEACTIVATED > Reply to Wes Gullison > "The last Narrative poll from November 2022 had the Liberals ahead 39 to > 30" > > Say hey to Higgy et al for me will ya?. > > David Amos > Deja Vu Anyone? > > https://www.cbc.ca/news/ > > "Collins filed a lawsuit, saying Gallant and the legislature abused > their authority and breached his privacy and his employment contract, > effectively ending his political career. Collins ran for re-election > as an independent in 2018 and lost. > He claims Gallant's office revived an old allegation against him and > pushed the legislature to act on it to punish Collins for rejecting a > Liberal motion attacking then-Opposition leader Blaine Higgs." > > > > > > > T. Williamson > We really need a Parents for English organization in New Brunswick so > that we can fight for English immersion and English language learning > programs in the French school system so that our French children can > learn the proper reading , writing and pronunciation of the English > language and are able to pass an English proficiency exam when the > finish high school, so that the French children and be truly bilingual > as well and not self declared by watching a few English TV Chanels or > by listing to some English radio stations. > > > Marcel Belanger > CONTENT DEACTIVATED > Reply to T. Williamson > > > David Amos > Reply to Marcel Belanger > Amen > > > K. Ride > Reply to T. Williamson > I think some version of this may already be in place? > > > > > > > John Grail > The fact that this of all things is causing his popularity to plummet > is everything wrong with our society. So many much more important > issues. > > > Mike Hogan > Reply to John Grail > Actually the education of the next generation is incredibly important. > > > John Grail > Reply to Mike Hogan > Yes brainwashing and indoctrination are important to statists... > > > John Grail > Reply to Mike Hogan > And I am not saying education isn't important. But state-sponsored, > politicized education is not. > > > David Amos > CONTENT DEACTIVATED > Reply to John Grail > Amen > > > David Amos > Reply to John Grail > Hmmmm > > > > > T. Williamson > CONTENT DEACTIVATED > CONTENT DEACTIVATED – WHY? The French have no business and should have > no say in how the English education is run. > > > David Amos > Reply to T. Williamson > Dream on > > > T. Williamson > Reply to David Amos > English education system. Not the French or bilingual educational > system. Get it ? > > > David Amos > Reply to T. Williamson > Check the Charter > > > David Amos > Reply to T. Williamson > BTW You are not alone in dealing with the notice you mentioned > > > T. Williamson > CONTENT DEACTIVATED > Reply to David Amos > The charter has nothing to do with immersion or the right to force > your language on other. > > > David Amos > Reply to T. Williamson > Go Figure > > https://laws-lois.justice.gc. > > Minority Language Educational Rights > > Marginal note:Language of instruction > > 23 (1) Citizens of Canada > > (a) whose first language learned and still understood is that of the > English or French linguistic minority population of the province in > which they reside, or > > (b) who have received their primary school instruction in Canada in > English or French and reside in a province where the language in which > they received that instruction is the language of the English or > French linguistic minority population of the province, > > have the right to have their children receive primary and secondary > school instruction in that language in that province.End note (94) > > Marginal note:Continuity of language instruction > > (2) Citizens of Canada of whom any child has received or is receiving > primary or secondary school instruction in English or French in > Canada, have the right to have all their children receive primary and > secondary school instruction in the same language. > > Marginal note:Application where numbers warrant > > (3) The right of citizens of Canada under subsections (1) and (2) to > have their children receive primary and secondary school instruction > in the language of the English or French linguistic minority > population of a province > > (a) applies wherever in the province the number of children of > citizens who have such a right is sufficient to warrant the provision > to them out of public funds of minority language instruction; and > > (b) includes, where the number of those children so warrants, the > right to have them receive that instruction in minority language > educational facilities provided out of public funds. > > T. Williamson > Reply to David Amos > You know that goes against your case right ? > > > T. Williamson > Reply to David Amos > And it clearly does not say that the French have the right to control > or have any say in the English education systems . > > > David Amos > Reply to T. Williamson > What kind of game are you playing and what do you know about my lawsuit? > > > T. Williamson > Reply to David Amos > You have a lawsuit ? > > > David Amos > Reply to T. Williamson > Everybody knows about that > > > Harvey York > Reply to David Amos > hahahahahaha > > > David Amos > CONTENT DEACTIVATED > Reply to Harvey York > Methinks even you must agree that anyone can Google my name and the > word lawsuit N'esy Pas? > > > > > > > > > https://www.cbc.ca/news/ > > Education minister maintains changes can still be made to immersion > replacement > Bill Hogan defends the consultation process after one participant > calls it a 'con job' > > Mia Urquhart · CBC News · Posted: Jan 17, 2023 6:00 AM AST > > > Bespectacled man in a dark suit sitting at a table > Education Minister Bill Hogan answers questions passed along by > moderator Tiffany Baskin during a livestream on Monday night. > (Government of New Brunswick/YouTube) > > In the first of several public consultation sessions about New > Brunswick's new approach to teaching French to anglophone students, > Education Minister Bill Hogan said Monday night that he's eager for > parents to participate and share their thoughts. > > But he was called out by one participant who called the whole exercise > a "con job." > > Through Twitter, someone named Chris asked, "How can you possibly call > this a consultation when you have cancelled [French immersion] > registration and announced the plan before you consult?" > > Hogan announced the changes to the way French is taught last month. > The changes mean more French for non-immersion students, but less than > immersion students currently receive. > > A man and woman sit at each end of a long table. Hogan assured people > the goverment will listen to their concerns during consultations about > French-language instruction in the province, and the current plan can > still be changed. (Government of New Brunswick/YouTube) > > Hogan said he appreciated the "candour" of questioner Chris during the > livestream on the government's YouTube channel. > > But he said the department has been consulting various groups and > individuals over the past year. > > "We've also benefited from the findings of the outstanding > consultation work that was done through the Official Languages [Act] > review and the report on second-language learning," Hogan said. "We > used all this information to develop a proposal." > > And Hogan promised that "changes are coming." > > "Let me be clear," he said. "There's still a chance for New > Brunswickers to have their say." > > Hogan reminded the audience about a number of public consultation > sessions that will be held around the province, starting Tuesday: > > Jan. 17 at the Gowan Brae Golf Club in Bathurst. > > Jan. 19 at the Delta Beauséjour in Moncton. > > Jan. 24 at the Delta Saint John. > > Jan. 25 at the Delta Fredericton. > > Each will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. > > There will also be two virtual sessions — one on Jan. 31 and the other > on Feb. 2. > > And online survey will continue to be available until Feb. 3. As of > Monday morning, Hogan said, the department had received 6,500 > responses. > Less French by middle school > > With the new program, the percentage of instruction students will get > in French will drop from 50 to 40 per cent when they reach grades 6 to > 8 in middle school. > > Under the existing immersion program, students receive 80 to 90 per > cent of their instruction in French. > > Students entering grades 2 to 12 in September who were already > enrolled in French immersion can continue in that program through to > high school graduation. > > The changes will take place at the start of the 2023 school year, with > final details of the plan to be announced this spring, following the > public consultations. > Questions vetted in advance > > The questions for last night's session with Hogan were submitted by > people through social media and vetted by education officials in > advance. Hogan's answers appeared to be scripted. > > One of the questions came from someone who identified themselves as a > New Brunswick teacher and, according to the moderator Tiffany Baskin, > "[seems] to be a French immersion teacher." > > The person wrote, "I don't want to teach oral French all day. I want > to teach reading, writing, math, art, science, social studies and > health. You will probably end up losing teachers with this new > program." > > In response, Hogan said there's been some confusion about "what an > average day will look like." > > He said students need "reading and writing experiences" in order to > develop language skills. > > "These skills will be developed through French-language arts and > exploratory learning." > > Students will be exposed to French in a variety of subjects "in fun > and engaging ways," Hogan said. "This includes lots of play and > learning activities." > Will all teachers have to be bilingual? > > Another participant wanted to know who's going to teach all this in > primary grades. She asked, "Are you now going to require all teachers > to be bilingual?" > > Hogan said no. > > "We will continue to need English-speaking teachers for the portion of > the day that students are learning in English." > > But he acknowledged that "there will continue to be challenges when it > comes to recruitment, retention and training of French second-language > teachers." > > He said more "professional development opportunities" will be created > for existing teachers and the department will be "ramping up" > recruitment efforts. > > N.B. radically rethinks French second-language education > No French immersion could lead to weaker bilingual services, > teacher association says > > He said the department is already "working on an aggressive > recruitment campaign over the past few months." > > Officials are also trying to remove barriers for international > recruitment, he said. > > Hogan was also asked whether the department consulted the teachers' > association, and he said the group had been involved since "early on > in discussions." > > "We've always asked them to be part of the process because we know how > valuable their input is — particularly when it comes to issues of > staffing. We very much want teachers and the teachers' associations to > come to the table and to talk to us about what we're proposing." > Those with unique needs > > Several parent expressed concerns about children who are already > struggling with some basic concepts in English and worry the new model > will just make it more difficult for them to succeed. > > Hogan acknowledged there is "plenty of data that shows children with > additional social, emotional or behavioural needs are currently > disproportionately placed into the English prime program." > > "This has been creating imbalances between classrooms, behavioural > challenges and increased pressure regarding inclusive education > practices for years." > > Hogan said students who currently have personalized learning plans, > known as PLPs, will continue to do so. > > He was also asked what models were used to develop the proposed program. > Program tried out in 1990s > > One of the prototypes was a program that was used in the anglophone > north school district in the late 1990s and early 2000s that used a > 50-50 split between English and French, Hogan said. The Grade 12 oral > proficiency assessment results were among the highest in the province, > with 97 per cent reaching the conversational level. > > Hogan said students "even outperformed last year's graduating cohort > of early immersion students." > > At least two participants worried about how newcomers, especially > those who speak anything other than French or English will be > integrated into the new program. > > Hogan said individual plans will be created "that address the specific > needs of students," but he didn't offer any specifics. > ABOUT THE AUTHOR > > Mia Urquhart > > Mia Urquhart is a journalist with CBC New Brunswick, based in Saint > John. She can be reached at mia.urquhart@cbc.ca. > CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices > > > > 99 Comments > > > > David Amos > Methinks folks who go to the Gowan Brae Golf Club in Bathurst tonight > should ask the former Speaker Chris Collins and his buddy Minister > Bill Hogan if they have read the notice barring me from legislative > properties and whether or not it is written in two official languages > N'esy Pas? > > > Michael Cain > Reply to David Amos > You should show up, call their bluff. > > > David Amos > Reply to Michael Cain > I would if I could > > > David Amos > Reply to Michael Cain > Deja Vu? > > https://www.cbc.ca/news/ > > "Collins filed a lawsuit, saying Gallant and the legislature abused > their authority and breached his privacy and his employment contract, > effectively ending his political career. Collins ran for re-election > as an independent in 2018 and lost. > > He claims Gallant's office revived an old allegation against him and > pushed the legislature to act on it to punish Collins for rejecting a > Liberal motion attacking then-Opposition leader Blaine Higgs." > > Deja Vu Anyone??? > > There is much more > | |
No comments:
Post a Comment