All-day K not likely in French
Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Times
Nov 13 2009

Schools that offer French immersion and other choice programs in the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows school district don't have vulnerable populations, and therefore don't meet the criteria for the first round of full-day kindergarten being introduced next fall.

However, Natasha Etherington, president of Canadian Parents for French Ridge Meadows, said many parents she's spoken to say they want to put their children in full-day kindergarten… "Essentially it saves you thousands if you can get your child in full-day kindergarten," Etherington said, adding that having a child in full-day kindergarten will mean significantly reduced daycare fees.

Because French immersion is a "choice program," said school board chair Kathie Ward, it didn't fit the criteria for full-day kindergarten next year. However, having full-day kindergarten in only some schools next fall will create a situation of "haves and have-nots" Ward said, which is why the provincial council of school board trustees voted to oppose its partial implementation next fall.

"If this is good for kids... it's good for kids across the board," Ward said….