'A little bit dumbfounded': Family questions why siblings can’t be together at same French immersion school
With limited spaces in French immersion programs, the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) is finding itself having to remind families there’s not enough room for everyone.
Middlesex Centre parent Mike Engelhardt and his family found out the hard way.
“We were a little bit dumbfounded,” said Engelhardt. “You would think that keeping five siblings together in one school would make the most logical sense.”
He told CTV News the family was upset to learn their youngest, four-year-old Dylan, would not be able to attend Louise Arbour French Immersion School when she enters junior kindergarten in September — even though all four older siblings already attend.
Instead, she’ll have to go to Wilberforce Elementary in Lucan, Ont. The two schools are located in opposite directions, 27 kilometres apart.
Four-year-old Dylan Engelhardt. Her father Mike Engelhardt is upset after being told his youngest child would not be allowed to attend the same French immersion school as his four older children. (Source: Mike Englehardt)He’s worried about the logistics of having to travel back and forth, but most importantly about Dylan’s emotional well-being.
“Dylan has been a product of COVID, of these lockdowns for the last two years, so she's not going to have the benefit of having those relationships, as a result of having to go to a different school.”
It's a lesson in disappointment for some families who aren't aware the school board does not guarantee admission to French immersion for children with siblings already attending.
The school board said those who apply before the February deadline are chosen by random selection.
Those who don’t win the so-called lottery are placed on a waiting list.
TVDSB Acting Human Rights and Equity Advisor Andrea Marlowe said they’re trying to make access equitable for everyone.
“We need to have a fair process, and we need to ensure that each of our students has an opportunity to attend a program that we offer in our French Immersion schools, or in any environment,” said Marlowe.
As for the Engelhardt family, they’ve contacted the school ombudsman, and their case is under review.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza's vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as cease-fire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife's edge.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.