While I was serving as president at Pomme D'Api preschool, we experienced great growth, and were able to move to new, spacious, and well-lit premises, as well as install a playground thanks to funds from BC Gaming. It was during this time that I realized that the Francophone community in Vancouver was composed of people from all over the planet, with whom I shared an open-mindedness about the world and the desire to provide rich experiences for our children.

 

While my daughters were in l’école élémentaire Rose-des-vents, I got involved with the social committee. Along with other parents, I organized activities such as ethnic dances (African and contra dance), and bowling and skating outings. The committee set up an annual week-long trip for Grade 6 graduates to Strathcona Park on Vancouver Island, and for five years we organized a weekend of family camping, which brought together about a hundred people from our school community every September.

 

As president of the Jules-Verne parents’ association since 2013, my role is administrative and relates to managing the growth of student enrolment. I supervise the organization of various projects aimed at improving the educational experience of our children. We encourage new initiatives, support and help to improve the initiatives of school staff, and lobby the media, community organizations, and government bodies related to the proper functioning of the CSF.

 

I started because I wanted to share my organizational and collaborative skills while I was on parental leave. I continued because I saw the real need for continuity in parents’ associations to ensure stability and momentum in promoting Francophone education in a minority environment.

I am delighted by our school community and the teams at both Rose-des-vents and Jules-Verne. I love the multicultural aspect of our Francophone community. I believe that our context offers children a global perspective that welcomes and accepts differences.

 

I love all the opportunities that are available to our youth because it’s a small school. It’s possible that the challenges around my daughters’ school years are the reasons for which they have learned to help others, feel supported, and have a sense of belonging. Or maybe it was the bowling! In any case, our families grow and have fun together.

 

A dream that I hold for my children: I hope that my daughters can have a multilingual life, filled with worldwide opportunities for travel, friendships, and rewarding work. No matter what they choose as a career or lifestyle, I wish them the ability to persevere and overcome obstacles, just as they have done by being Francophones in a minority environment.

 

A proud achievement : I am proud that my daughters are bilingual. The fact that they persevere in a Francophone minority setting, despite all the obstacles and all the choices that are offered to them, makes me proud to have invested so much effort.