French Children’s Schools
The study of French is an important part of the school curriculum in Ontario. French is not only one of Canada’s two official languages, but is also widely used around the world.
Knowledge of a second language is valuable for a number of reasons. Learning another language helps students:
- strengthen their problem-solving, reasoning and creative thinking skills
- develop their understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures
- increase their competitiveness in an increasingly global job market
- enhance their first-language and overall literacy skills
In addition to providing a foundation for the learning of additional languages and the potential for more opportunities to participate in an increasingly globalized economy, learning French helps Ontario students to understand Canada’s history and to develop an appreciation of French culture.
There are several schools across Leeds and Grenville that provide a Full French or French Immersion program for parents looking to have their children learn and speak French. French programs begin as early as Senior Kindergarten. It offers 100% French instruction in the classroom until the end of grade 3, although some specialist subjects may be taught in English. English instruction is gradually introduced beginning in grade 4 until it becomes a half-day program from Grades 6-8. Designated school pathways exist to ensure that students have a continuation of the program from the SK entry to the end of grade 12.
The Upper Canada District School Board oversees two schools that offer French Immersion programs. To learn about registering a student into a French Immersion program visit http://www.ucdsb.on.ca.
For catholic based schools, the Conseil des écoles catholique du Centre-Est operates three French Catholic Schools in Leeds Grenville and offers licensed child care centres in Kemptville and Brockville. To learn more about available French Catholic schools visit www.ecolecatholique.ca.
Useful links for Children’s French Education
For tips and information on helping your child learn French: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/literacynumeracy/parentGuideFrench
A French as a Second Language resource for parents and students in Ontario: http://www.fslhomeworktoolbox.ca
Canadian parents for French: https://on.cpf.ca/resources/
Settlement Services for Francophone Immigrants
Francophone Settlement Services in Leeds and Grenville Reseau de soutien a l’immigration francophone de l’est de l’Ontario – http://rsifeo.org/ – offers a wide range of advice for francophone settlers in Eastern Ontario.
All services are provided in the French language, in connection and involvement with the established Francophone community. The network assists with form completion and facilitates connections to francophone services (i.e. healthcare, housing, daycare, elementary and secondary schools, legal support, post-secondary institutions, counseling and much more).
Francophone Health Services
There are several tools and directories available to help you find health organizations offering French-language services in Eastern Ontario.
Consult the list of designated and identified organizations to provide services in French in the region.
Find a Family Physician or Nurse Practitioner. Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Program to help people find a family doctor.
List of health service providers identified to provide services in French in the Southeast. In English only.
LignesantéChamplain.ca – Directory of facilities offering health services in the Champlain region by category of services (services offered in French and English).
LHIN Palliative Care Program Initiatives. List of all Champlain LHIN health service providers organized by geographic region (services provided in both French and English).
If you live in the South East region of Leeds and Grenville and need help finding appropriate health services in French? You can contact the South East LHIN’s French Health Services Navigator.
Learning French
Adult French Education (FSL)
You can take an English or French as a Second Language (ESL/FSL) class through the Government of Ontario’s Adult Non-Credit Language Training Program.
Classes are available during the day, at night or on weekends for people with beginner to advanced skill levels. You don’t have to pay for classes however; school boards may charge a small fee for registration or supplies.
To sign up and learn more about FSL classes in the Leeds and Grenville area visit https://educationpermanente.ca/fr/francais-langue-seconde/
To assess your French Language skills and eligibility for FSL classes visit a Coordinated Language Assessment and Referral System Centre. The Coordinated Language Assessment and Referral System Centres in Leeds and Grenville can be found at TR Leger School in Cornwall – http://trleger.ucdsb.on.ca/
Employment Opportunities
SEARCHING & APPLYING FOR JOBS
Employment Counselling and Job Search Assistance
The Employment & Education Centre (EEC)
The EEC offers a comprehensive package of employment services in Brockville and throughout the municipalities of the Leeds Grenville. Following is a list of some of these services:
- Employment counselling, offered through personal meetings with a trained counsellor to develop an action plan to achieve your employment goals.
- Workshops that cover essential job search skills from understanding the local job market to using the hidden job market, effective resume writing and interviews.
- A resource centre with free access to the internet, computers and a library for job search purposes.
- Job Development and Job Board: online resume posting and search of job openings in the area. In certain cases, advocacy with the employer on behalf of the client can be offered.
For more information, call: 613-498-2111 or visit www.eecentre.com.
CSE Consulting
Provides FREE services to all job seekers in Grenville County, with employment resource centres in Brockville, Prescott and Kemptville. The resource centres (equipped with free high-speed internet, computer labs and fax machines) offer the tools necessary to assist clients in their job search, as well as: occupational/educational information, labour market research, career coaching and support, training/education guidance, assessment tools, a resource reference library and referral to community services and supports.
CSE Consulting’s office in Brockville provides Employment Supports through the Ontario Disability Supports Program. Consultants are dedicated to assisting people with disabilities throughout the Leeds and Grenville region to successfully start a new job search, return to work and help those currently employed to keep their jobs. The following FREE services can be tailored to an individual’s needs: Employment Planning, Work Experience, Self-Employment, and Work-Related Disability Supports.
For more information, visit: www.cseconsulting.com
Brockville: 613-342-2312
Prescott: 613-925-0222
Kemptville: 613-258-6576
Kingston Employment and Youth Strategies (KEYS)
KEYS offers a variety of employment programs and services in the Gananoque Elgin and WestPort to newcomers, persons with disabilities, youth and anyone looking for employment.
For more information, call: 613-382-1085 or visit www.keys.ca.
Socially Assisted Employment
Ontario Works provides employment support to individuals who receive social assistance. Its services cover employment counselling, job search workshops and access to employment resource centres. Ontario Works also provides assistance to cover employment related expenses, including clothing, transportation, childcare and training.
Ontario Works has offices in Brockville, Prescott, Kemptville, and Gananoque.
For more information, call: 613-342-3840, ext. 2119 or 1-800-267-8146.
Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services
Provides employment assistance to people with disabilities through its Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). The ODSP program offers income and employment supports to people with disabilities who are in need. Their employment services include helping to find a job that is right for the each client, job coaching, on- the-job training, interpreter services, transportation assistance, software and mobility devices that can help clients do their job, and more. For more information, visit: www.mcss.gov.on.ca.
Professional Networking
The process of meeting potential employers and other contacts to further your career is called professional networking. Professional networking is an essential part of your job search. It can help uncover the hidden job mar- ket and unadvertised jobs. Job search workshops at the Employment + Education Centre and CSE Consulting provide in-depth information on professional networking strategies. Settlement.org also offers a list of professional networks.
Employers in the Region
You will need to research businesses in the area that employ people with your skills. For example, if you are trained and experienced as an engineer, a starting point to find engineering firms in the area is Leeds Grenville online business directory (www.leedsgrenville.com) that can help you find businesses in your field. Their website also offers a comprehensive list of organizations and businesses.
JOB SEARCH WEBSITES
Website Link |
Description |
|---|---|
| www.jobbank.gc.ca | Posts hundreds of new openings every day. Narrow your search to Ontario and then to the Kingston or Cornwall areas for available jobs in Leeds Grenville. |
| www.gojobs.gov.on.ca | Lists Ontario Public Service (OPS) Employment Opportunities. |
| www.jobs-emplois.gc.ca | Lists Government of Canada positions. |
| www.indeed.ca | Searches jobs from thousands of job boards, newspapers, classifieds and company websites for jobs. |
| http://cse.jobs.ims-login.com/jobs | CSE Consulting job board. |
| http://eecentre.totalhire.com/postings.php | Employment + Education Centre job board. |
| http://jobs.keys.ca | KEYS job board. |
| www.charityvillage.com | Lists employment opportunities in the not-for-profit sector. |
Important Francophone Links
The Office of Francophone Affairs helps Francophones, as full members of Ontario society, to prosper while respecting their cultural diversity.
Welcome to Ontario, a Guide to Programs and Services for Newcomers to Ontario offered in several languages.
Etablissement.org (in French) provides reliable information to newcomers about all aspects of settlement, including services close to their home. This site has been developed for Francophones. A similar site is available in English.
Inmylanguage.org also provides you with information to help you settle in 11 languages.
Find the social or community service you need by using the 211 Ontario directory.
You can find employment services in your area by using the Employment Ontario’s search tool.
Use the Cliquezsanté.ca (in French) directory to find a French-speaking health or social service professional in your area.
Legal Aid Ontario gives low-income families access to a range of legal services tailored to meet their legal needs.
Cliquez Justice (in French) is Web portal that provides simplified legal information in French on careers in justice and the functioning of the judiciary. The site also answers questions on legal issues, namely regarding family law, employment as well as citizenship and immigration.
The phone line Fem’aide (in French) helps Francophone women experiencing violence by providing support, information and referral services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Jeunesse J’écoute (in French) is a free anonymous and confidential phone and online professional counselling for youth.