April 11, 2017

It is with great pride that six Ontario French language Catholic school boards, including the Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario (CSCNO), will be signing a partnership agreement with two French Diocesan education institutions at CSCNO’s head office (201 Jogues St., Sudbury) this Thursday, April 12, at 4 p.m. Members of the media are invited to attend the signing of this important partnership that seeks to develop a set of educational activities and facilitate the sharing of experience, knowledge, teaching and learning methods, and pedagogical materials.

Taking part in this agreement are the following Ontario French language Catholic school boards: Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario, Conseil scolaire catholique Franco-Nord, Conseil scolaire catholique des Grandes Rivières, Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir, Conseil scolaire catholique Providence and Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est as well as the Association franco-ontarienne des conseils scolaires catholiques (AFOCSC). Joining them are from France : Direction diocésaine de l’Enseignement catholique du Puy et de St Flour et Direction diocésaine de l’Enseignement catholique de Clermont et de Moulins

“The CSCNO is pleased to build relationships that will strengthen French language Catholic schools in Ontario and in France,” stated Mrs. Lyse-Anne Papineau, CSCNO Director of Education. “Our students, staff and school communities will benefit from the partnership opportunities that will favour the sharing of expertise and contribute to the internationalization of CSCNO schools.”

“This partnership confirms the educational leadership of French language Catholic school boards in Ontario. All of the participating institutions are motivated by the desire to strengthen links among French Catholic educational communities and cooperate in actions taken by each partner institution. Building ties with French Catholic educational partners will encourage all parties to promote shared Catholic values,” explained CSCNO President Mr. André Bidal.

The partnership, which is directed towards the elementary and secondary schools in the six participating French language Catholic school boards in Ontario, has the following concrete goals:

• support French language Catholic learning and teaching and facilitate understanding of the partners’ respective cultures;
• promote improved knowledge and understanding of the partners’ respective systems of education;
• provide staff at French language Catholic school boards in Ontario and French educational institutions with opportunities to enrich their professional development;
• foster the sharing of expertise, consulting support and management, as well as curriculum and service delivery to students; and
• promote the use of new technologies (Internet communication, videoconferencing, etc.) to reduce costs by maximizing professional development opportunities offered by all participating institutions.

The partnership will encourage school staff to take part in existing international mobility programs or to develop same-position exchange arrangements. They will also be able to participate in training activities and share their thoughts on topics related to pedagogy, academic results and innovative practices. In addition, as much as possible, the use of new technologies such as Internet sharing and videoconferencing between the two countries will be given preference.

Moreover, the partnership will encourage students from participating Ontario and  French language Catholic institutions to benefit from stays. These educational visits will encourage a better mastery of the official languages of each country, enable students to broaden their experience and their professional and intercultural skills and acquire a better understanding of the world around them.

In summary, the partnership agreement will widen the horizons of French language education while improving its quality.

The Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario offers a French Catholic Educational Program that is widely recognized for its excellence. The CSCNO provides a quality learning environment and academic program that runs from early childhood to adult education, with some 7,000 students enrolled in 27 elementary and 10 secondary schools.

Source: Brigitte Morin
External Relations Coordinator
Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario
705-673-5626, ext. 389 
705-690-9740 (cell)