It’s funny, I’d written almost 400 words for my first blog and was just about to upload it to the website when a single word jumped out at me: “students.” I’d stated that no school board other than a francophone one could help students achieve such a high level of bilingualism.

And then it struck me: kids who attend schools run by anglophone boards, including French immersion, study the French language whereas, ideally, kids in francophone schools live it. Just like they live the English language, since that’s what they speak with nearly everyone around them.

But it’s the idea of kids living in French, growing up thinking and dreaming and learning and expressing themselves in the language, that really sets a francophone education apart. It’s also the greatest challenge for many parents who don’t speak French.

If that’s you, then here’s a word of advice: decide to be part of your child’s educational life anyway. Take an interest in what he or she is doing. Visit the school. Help out at home. Be there for your child. And don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t be an integral part of his or her francophone education just because you don’t speak the language!

Some francophone school boards have launched initiatives aimed at helping non-French-speaking parents participate more in their children's education. I know because I’ve been involved in many of them in my role as a consultant.

Yet there's much more to do! For instance, until now there's been no way that parents and educators from around the country (let alone from different schools run by the same board) can carry on a dialog about various aspects of francophone education. That's why I've created the Forum. Now it's up to administrators, teachers and parents like you to make it work!