The Fédération des parents supports APÉs in their efforts to welcome and integrate parents recently settled in the province

Since its beginnings, the Francophone parents’ movement has evolved according to the needs of parents and the community. It’s with this in mind that the Fédération des parents has set up material and financial resources dedicated to school parents’ associations (APÉs), in order to support and equip them in their strategies for welcoming and integrating Francophone families who have recently arrived in their schools.

This process aims to give a voice to these new parents, simultaneously easing their integration and inviting them to take part in their children’s school life. As school systems are different from province to province and country to country, it’s important to ensure that all parents are informed of their rights and responsibilities under the British Columbia School Act.

The integration effort provides for an active role for parents in decisions relating to their children’s school life. Close collaboration is therefore encouraged and expected between the school administration and the parents, through the intermediary of the APÉs, which are grouped together within the Fédération des parents.

This year, thanks to the support of the Fédération des parents, a dozen APÉs have already held cheerful and unifying welcoming activities, or will hold them in the coming weeks.

Here’s an overview of some of the activities of the APÉs, each with a special touch that reflects its region and community:

Franco-traîneau - APÉ de l’école Franco-Nord (Prince George)

An original activity aimed at sharing a cultural experience through a sleigh ride, with chats around an outdoor campfire to get to know each other while enjoying hot chocolate and snacks.

Cabane à sucre - APÉ de l’école Anne-Hébert (Vancouver)

An afternoon of get-togethers and discovery of a part of Canadian culture, including maple syrup tasting, folk dancing, visual arts workshops, and chats over a hot chocolate in a friendly setting.

Café rencontre Bonne semaine! - APÉ de l’école La Vérendrye (Chilliwack)

Friendly weekly get-togethers specifically designed to welcome and integrate Francophone families who have recently arrived at the school.

Autour du monde en un repas - APÉ de l’école Gabrielle-Roy (Surrey)

A unifying activity to encourage discussion through music, games, and conversations, while tasting the dishes of different cultures.

 

These activities are made possible by funding from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and Commission nationale des parents francophones (CNPF).