Duchess Park secondary school parents are asking the school board to reconsider a report's recommendation to remove its french immersion program.
It was in response to School District 57's long range facility report published last month, which said Duchess Park is already over capacity and forecasted to be 128 per cent capacity by 2023.
Prince George secondary school, the report said, is under capacity and could be a good fit for the program.
That would be shortsighted, the parents argued at Tuesday's board meeting.
"A transition to another school would have significant impact on learning outcomes," said parent advisory council member Bonnie White, of the impact of a new learning environment.
The uncertainty around having a continued diversity in the school is creating stress for parents and children, she said.
"It did generate a dramatic increase in attendance," White said of the parent advisory meeting.
The school offers English, francophone and French immersion programs.
"The history of success of the program needs to be considered carefully," said White, adding diversity is very important to the school and should be considered. One third of the students are francophone, she said.
"We understand these are just recommendations," said Nadine Forseille.
The parent recognized that nothing is set in stone, adding "we thought it would be best if we could present some potential issues." White added it's important to "have our concerns recognized early," and complimented the district for its transparency in publishing the full report.
Forseille said Duchess Park's principal has been pursuing catchment changes for quite a few years and has suggested a boundary change could help keep the three programs.
Children thrive in a secure environment, Forseille said. "A sense of calm needs to be reestablished for their sake."
White said she worries the move could break up families. While all her older kids are in the french immersion program, she said it's possible her child in kindergarten doesn't take to it in the same way.
"The emotional impact of separating siblings is enormous," White said.
Chairperson Tony Cable said the board would consider their comments.
This will not be the last discussion we have on french programs at the high schools for sure."
Prince George's district parent advisory council president stressed the need for consultation with any decisions around school closures and changes.
The board will have to balance geography, equity, vulnerability of students in its effort to implement any facility changes in the least disruptive way possible, said Sarah Holland.
"It's not really about the buildings. It's about the people," Holland said.
