Italian language program cancelled for 2022-23 school year at Catholic school
Italian language program cancelled for 2022-23 school year at Catholic school
Kids at St. Alphonsus elementary and junior high won't be able to continue in the school's long standing Italian language and culture program in September.
The longstanding program has been cancelled for the coming year. Calgary Catholic School District says just 27 per cent of kids at the school continue in the Italian program after it stops being mandatory after grade three. According to CCSD, the other 73 per cent switch to French.
"Maybe a month ago we just got an email on a Friday just to say more or less 'FYI it's not going to be offered anymore in September,'" said Belinda Mendes, who has two children in the program.
Parents said the program helps keep family traditions alive and they want a fuller explanation from CCSD and a chance to search for alternative solutions.
"In an ideal world, come together to brainstorm ideas for how some part of a program could still function. But we weren't given an opportunity to even have that conversation," Mendes said.
"I feel like having the Italian program at our school really helped with continuing the traditions that I grew up with," said Julia Colvin, whose daughter Carmelina is in grade three at the school.
CCSD said in a statement that Italian culture will still be a big part of the curriculum at St Alphonsus but language lessons won't be a part of that.
Calgary Catholic does still offer another Italian Language and Culture program at St. Maria Goretti elementary in the Northwest.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More Canadian troops headed to Latvia, Trudeau says at NATO summit
Canada will be sending more troops to Latvia as part of a pledge to upgrade and strengthen the NATO battlegroup it is leading there, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Thursday.
'What were they waiting for?' Woman inside Saanich bank amid shootout describes 'calm' gunmen
A woman who was trapped inside a bank during a robbery and fatal shootout with police near Victoria on Tuesday says there is one question still plaguing her a day later: Why didn't the gunmen just leave with the money?
Supreme Court says expanded rape shield laws are constitutional
The Supreme Court of Canada says the expanded rules to further prevent a sexual assault complainant's past from being used against them in a trial are 'constitutional in their entirety.'
Nutrition warnings coming to the front of pre-packaged food in Canada
Canada will require that companies add nutrition warnings to the front of pre-packaged food with high levels of saturated fat, sugar or sodium in an effort to help grocery shoppers make healthier choices with just a glance.
New clean fuel regulations to raise gas prices, affect low-income Canadians most
New federal regulations to force down the greenhouse gas emissions from gasoline and diesel will cost Canadians up to 13 cents more per litre at the pump by 2030.
WHO: COVID-19 cases rising nearly everywhere in the world
The number of new coronavirus cases rose by 18 per cent in the last week, with more than 4.1 million cases reported globally, according to the World Health Organization.
What your Canada Day BBQ will cost with hot inflation
The Canada Day long weekend is the perfect time for burgers on the grill, cold drinks and time with family and friends. Yet a backyard barbecue comes with a bigger price tag this year as food prices soared 9.7 per cent in May.
Air Canada to reduce flights this summer amid 'customer service shortfalls'
Air Canada is planning to reduce its flights in July and August, according to a statement from the company's president, as the airline continues to deal with 'customer service shortfalls.'
Putin: Western leaders would look 'disgusting' topless
Russian President Vladimir Putin shot back at Western leaders who mocked his athletic exploits, saying they would look 'disgusting' if they tried to emulate his bare-torso appearances.
Edmonton
-
Edmonton woman wins $1M lottery
An Edmonton woman plans to buy a new car and travel after she won a million dollars in May.
-
Josh Classen's forecast: Warm, but definitely not hot
Some morning sun will give way to partly cloudy skies in the Edmonton region this afternoon. Temperatures are expected to top out in the low 20s, close to average...but definitely not hot.
-
Here's how you can celebrate Canada Day in Edmonton and area in 2022
Get ready to celebrate Canada on Friday with this list of events taking place in and around Edmonton on July 1.
Vancouver
-
Got a text about a Vancouver parking ticket? It's a scam, city says
The City of Vancouver is warning residents not to click on links or give personal information in response to text messages about overdue parking tickets claiming to be from the city.
-
Just a 'fraction' of 911 dispatchers actually needed are working, B.C. union warns ahead of long weekend
British Columbians are being warned that they may have to wait in the event of an emergency as the province's 911 service operator has just a "fraction of this dispatchers needed" working this weekend.
-
Massive third-alarm fire destroys East Vancouver thrift store
A popular thrift store was destroyed and several people were displaced when a massive-third alarm fire broke out in East Vancouver.
Atlantic
-
Spouse of gunman to testify at N.S. shooting hearings but won't be cross-examined
The spouse of the gunman in the Nova Scotia mass shooting will testify mid-July before a public inquiry, but she won't face direct questions from lawyers representing victims' families.
-
Saint John to celebrate Memorial Cup win with parade today
Saint John is having its dog day. The host city of the 2022 Memorial Cup is celebrating after the Saint John Sea Dogs downed the Hamilton Bulldogs 6-3 in front of a capacity crowd during Wednesday's championship game at TD Station.
-
Saint John Sea Dogs win Memorial Cup with 6-3 victory over Hamilton Bulldogs
The Saint John Sea Dogs are Memorial Cup champions once again. Considered a long shot at the beginning of the Canadian Hockey League championship due to a first-round loss in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoffs, the host Sea Dogs downed the Hamilton Bulldogs 6-3 in Wednesday's championship game.
Vancouver Island
-
Police investigating possibility of 3rd suspect in Saanich, B.C., shooting
Police in Saanich, B.C., say they continue to investigate the possibility that a "third suspect" was involved in a fatal shooting at a bank that left two suspects dead and six officers injured Tuesday.
-
BC Ferries cancels multiple sailings ahead of busy Canada Day weekend
BC Ferries is cancelling several sailings between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland ahead of the Canada Day long weekend.
-
'What were they waiting for?' Woman inside Saanich bank amid shootout describes 'calm' gunmen
A woman who was trapped inside a bank during a robbery and fatal shootout with police near Victoria on Tuesday says there is one question still plaguing her a day later: Why didn't the gunmen just leave with the money?
Toronto
-
Premier Ford addresses Bill 124, says public school teachers wage increase will be 'more than 1 per cent'
Public-sector teachers in Ontario will see their wages increase by more than one per cent as legislation aimed at capping compensation for those workers is set to expire later this year.
-
Ontario gas prices about to take huge drop and this is the best time to fill up
Ontario gas prices are about to take a huge drop and one expert says it will be 'well worth waiting' if drivers can hold off on filling up.
-
This Toronto house was divided by landlord into 15 separate units
As Toronto grapples with a housing crisis, one landlord has decided to divide a single house into 15 separate units.
Montreal
-
Montreal airport to 'likely' cancel flights, destinations amid summertime staffing shortage
Travellers flying out of the Montreal airport might be in for a shock this summer as airlines will likely need to cancel some flights — or destinations altogether.
-
1 injured, others potentially missing as fire rages in Longueuil
One person is in hospital after a fire broke out in a home in Longueuil.
-
Montreal girl, 4, desperately needs stem cell donation
A social media campaign to help find a compatible stem cell donor for a four-year-old girl in Montreal is putting a spotlight on the lack of diversity in donor lists.
Ottawa
-
What you need to know about Canada Day preparations in Ottawa today
The police presence in Ottawa's downtown core is stepped up today, as the city prepares for Canada Day festivities and possible protests.
-
Ontario gas prices about to take huge drop and this is the best time to fill up
Ontario gas prices are about to take a huge drop and one expert says it will be 'well worth waiting' if drivers can hold off on filling up.
-
Snowbirds cancel Canada Day fly-over in Ottawa
The traditional Canada Day fly-past over Ottawa by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds has been cancelled, following a problem with the aircraft's emergency ejection parachute that grounded the fleet.
Kitchener
-
Kitchener business says it lost $70,000 in fraudulent fund transfers
A Bowmanville man faces several charges after a Kitchener business said it lost over $70,000 due to fraudulent electronic fund transfers.
-
Calls for traffic controls at 'treacherous' Kitchener intersection after crash
A serious collision in Kitchener Tuesday has prompted calls for traffic controls to be installed at the off-ramps of Highway 7/8 onto Ira Needles Boulevard.
-
Cambridge council approves electric scooters on city streets
The City of Cambridge is allowing electric scooters to be used on more city streets, starting in July.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon man left with brain injury after random stabbing at hospital, family says
A 55-year-old man was stabbed in the head with a screwdriver at a Saskatoon hospital, according to his daughter.
-
NEW
NEW | Environment Canada confirms three tornadoes touched down in Sask. on Wednesday
Environment Canada has confirmed that three tornadoes touched down in Saskatchewan on Wednesday.
-
Prince Albert police investigate after woman found seriously injured
Prince Albert police found a 23-year-old woman seriously injured when they responded to a weapons complaint in Prince Albert.
Northern Ontario
-
Three people hurt in Hwy. 17 collision in Sturgeon Falls
A motor vehicle collision closed Hwy. 17 in Sturgeon Falls for several hours, Ontario Provincial Police said Wednesday.
-
Premier Ford addresses Bill 124, says public school teachers wage increase will be 'more than 1 per cent'
Public-sector teachers in Ontario will see their wages increase by more than one per cent as legislation aimed at capping compensation for those workers is set to expire later this year.
-
New clean fuel regulations to raise gas prices, affect low-income Canadians most
New federal regulations to force down the greenhouse gas emissions from gasoline and diesel will cost Canadians up to 13 cents more per litre at the pump by 2030.
Winnipeg
-
Storm brought baseball-sized hail, 90 km wind gusts to parts of Manitoba: ECCC
A storm that initially sparked tornado warnings across western Manitoba pelted parts of the province with large hail and strong winds Wednesday night.
-
Suspect wanted in connection with two homicides arrested: WPS
The Winnipeg Police Service said Leah Carol Clifton was arrested Friday at a home in the 500 block of Spence Street.
-
Four years after completion, new interchange already requires concrete repairs
A four-year-old road project that cost the province a quarter billion dollars is already in need of repairs.
Regina
-
NEW
NEW | Environment Canada confirms three tornadoes touched down in Sask. on Wednesday
Environment Canada has confirmed that three tornadoes touched down in Saskatchewan on Wednesday.
-
Gas prices expected to hold steady in Regina on Canada Day: Gas Wizard
Gasoline prices in Regina and Saskatoon are expected to stay around $2.04 per litre on Canada Day Friday, according to the latest prediction from Gas Wizard.
-
Here's how to stay safe in Sask. lakes this summer
The hot temperatures of Saskatchewan summers often drive people to local lakes to cool off, but experts say there are some tips to keep in mind to stay safe in and around water.