awareness about CSNO’s offerings. Board Chair Sylvianne Maisonneuve explains, “We use every opportunity we can to get the word out. Social media is a big part of that. We’re active on our platforms, promoting our schools and connecting with the community.” Local advertising also plays a role in raising the profile of francophone education. “We’ve put up billboards in the communities where our schools are located,” Maisonneuve shares. “And word of mouth is huge. We try to be visible—whether that’s through community events, conversations, or highlighting the achievements of our graduates.” ADVOCATING EQUITY IN EDUCATION Operating within a minority language context presents unique challenges for CSNO. Francophone schools often have to provide programs that rival those of larger, majority-language institutions.“Our main initiative as a board is pursuing equivalency in education,” Maisonneuve explains. “Because we’re offering education in a minority context and have smaller enrollment numbers, it’s not always easy to offer the same range of programs as the English schools in the same communities.” Much of the board’s efforts to address this disparity revolve around working with the government to secure resources and recognition for their schools. “We spend a lot of time advocating—to make sure we can provide a service that is not just adequate, but competitive and attractive to our clientele.” Collaboration with the surrounding community also plays a critical role in enhancing the educational experience for CSNO students. “We invest heavily in building community partnerships,” Maisonneuve shares.“There’s a codependent relationship between our schools and the local community. We need those connections to give our students opportunities outside the classroom that help reinforce their identity and culture.” STEM EDUCATION AND TAILORED PATHWAYS STEM education—science, technology, engineering, and math—has become integral to shaping young minds at CSNO. “All our schools are equipped with the tools we need for STEM education,” Kropielnicki 4 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 01
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