Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation

PEI Home and School Federation - News Columns

April 2012 -

Time to invest more in our children

“The foundation of every state is the education of its youth.”
Diogenes Laertius - Greek Philosopher

Recently, the Canadian Home and School Federation (CHSF) called on the Harper Government to establish a Minister of State for Children and Youth. This diverse portfolio with complex issues would provide strategic direction on all issues concerning the welfare of children and youth in Canada - including education. The federal government has already established a Minister of State for Seniors, therefore, it would follow that there would be a federal minister entrusted with nurturing Canada’s future generations. Notwithstanding the recent budget cuts, parents and guardians are encouraged to contact your Member of Parliament (MP) and ask for the creation of this important portfolio. Governments are always touting how much money they are investing into the economy of Canada – it is now time to invest more in our children! PEIHSF will begin a Twitter campaign to advocate for this position using the power of social media.

This past week, four schools in the Western School Board held a public meeting on the topic of bullying called “Sticks and Stones”. This meeting was a result of a parent engagement initiative by Parkside Elementary, Athena Consolidated, Greenfield Elementary and Elm Street Elementary or the PAGE Group that conducted a bullying survey. It was great to see four local Home & School Associations coming together with the community to address the issue of bullying. Well done to these four schools!

The PEIHSF Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Saturday, April 14, 2012, at the Rodd Charlottetown Hotel in Charlottetown. Every Home and School is encouraged to have your school represented at the AGM and each association can designate five members to be your voting delegates. The AGM is an excellent forum to discuss what really matters to parents and to network with others in the Home & School Family. Round table discussions on education will be held and the 2012 resolutions will be discussed and voted on. The Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, Alan McIsaac will be our luncheon speaker and will be presenting an update on education and the Education Governance Commission. Door Prizes are being collected from local businesses. If you or your Home & School would like to donate a door prize, please bring the item to the AGM or contact Shirley at the PEIHSF office at 620-3186.

National Volunteer Week (NVW) in Canada is April 15 - 21, 2012. Celebrate all Home and School volunteers. For more information about NVW please go to their website at: www.volunteer.ca/nvw . Build your own Thank you Card for volunteers in your Home and SchoolAssociation: http://nationalvolunteerweek.ca/index_en.html .

FEEDBACK
PEIHSF is always looking for feedback on all that we do and all issues pertaining to our children and youth. What is your key question / hot topic of the day about education?
Send questions into the Federation by email, peihsf@edu.pe.ca or on Twitter @peihsf .

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March 2012

Garth MacKay, Terry MacIsaac recipients of 2012 PEIHSF Extra Mile Award

“Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.”
Warren G. Bennis

Education is the future. It is no surprise then that the expectations that parents, students, and the community have of our schools are so high. We all want to ensure that our children have an environment that will cultivate learning, promote exploration and develop the first-rate citizens of tomorrow.

Our collective challenge is to ensure that our schools can meet these expectations by providing high quality educational programmes which meet the demands of the years to come. Increasing efficiencies and embracing technology throughout our education system will allow for the more efficient allocation of money for instruction. When it comes to keeping our schools running effectively there has to be a vision and a sustainable plan. It also takes leadership, cooperation and extraordinary dedication to get our children and youth to where they need to be.

We are fortunate on PEI that we have so many dedicated individuals that work tirelessly for the benefit of our children. We have just finished celebrating Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week and the PEI Home and School Federation (PEIHSF) would like to thank all of the parents/guardians that volunteered their time to recognize teachers and staff across the Island. Congratulations to the 2012 PEIHSF "Extra Mile Award" recipients: Garth MacKay from Queen Elizabeth Elementary School and Terry MacIsaac from Prince Street Elementary School – ‘you translate vision into reality’.

Home and School Association Presidents are asked to submit their ‘President’s Report’ by Monday, March 5th for inclusion in the annual PEIHSF Book of Reports. To view other reports, you can access last year’s Book of Reports on the PEIHSF website at www.edu.pe.ca/peihsf/

The next Western School Board meeting will be held on Wednesday March 14, 2012 at Parkside Elementary School. The meeting will begin at 8PM. The Eastern School District Board Meeting is also being held on March 14, 2012 at the Cardigan Consolidated School beginning at 7PM.

PEIHSF is pleased to call for nominations for the Annual Volunteer Award for exceptional contribution to the total well-being of children and youth on P.E.I. through service at the Local Home and School Association. Our Life Membership recognition is presented to a person for outstanding service in the Provincial Federation. Please review criteria on the Federation’s website for both awards and submit nominations by March 16, 2012.

Just a reminder that the PEIHSF Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Saturday, April 14, 2012, at the Rodd Charlottetown Hotel in Charlottetown. Local home and school associations are asked to register by April 1st 2012. Please announce the AGM on your websites/blogs and other social media and discuss who will attend at your March/April meeting.

All members are welcome to attend the AGM and each association can designate five members to be your voting delegates. The AGM is an excellent forum to discuss what really matters to parents and to network with others in the Home and School Family.

Finally, PEIHSF wishes all Islanders a safe and enjoyable March Break!

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February 2012

Working together to be a voice for education

“The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning." Mitch Albom, Tuesdays with Morrie.

The PEI Home and School Federation (PEIHSF), parents, and local home and school associations must strive to ensure that a meaningful voice for the Home and School Family is heard at all levels of the education process. The parent/guardian voice is increasingly being recognized as a first-rate component of a strong and vital public education system and Home and School has proven itself to be a cost-effective promoter of our children’s best interests. As we begin our 60th year, PEIHSF can proudly recall our many accomplishments and look to the future to advance our vision of achieving the best possible education for children and youth on PEI.

We work together with our partners – like-minded organizations, teachers, support staff, principals, district staffs, trustees, department officials and the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development - to determine how best to meet the needs of future generations. In order to ensure that a strong parent voice is heard clearly and well articulated at all levels of our system, we must continue to improve these partnerships and increase involvement in the community.

Of course one of the challenges faced, as parent leaders, is how to spread this message to all the parents / guardians in both our schools and our communities. We must continue to encourage more parents to become well informed about their child's education, their teachers and schools and of the benefits that come from volunteering within their schools. In addition, we must continue to look at the big picture...how are our students being affected by policy and curriculum initiatives by the educational decision-makers.

Involvement provides an opportunity to understand relevant issues and provide input and feedback to decision-makers at various levels. This is a time for the Home and School family to be solid in advocating for improving education and the ensuring a good future for youth on PEI. To present your views, the needs of your school and to network with other schools throughout the province, I encourage as many of our members as possible to contact us when you have a concern about the educational system. The deadline to submit resolutions to PEIHSF was the end of January, but if there is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed please give the office a call at 620-3186.

Teacher / Staff Appreciation Week (TSAW) - a Canadian Home & School initiative is taking place this year from February 12-18, 2012. Posters and tip sheets for this event have been mailed to association presidents. If you have not received yours, please call Shirley at 620-3186. Further T/SAW planning ideas can be found on the Federation’s website at: http://www.edu.pe.ca/peihsf/TSAWeek.html

Presidents are asked to submit your Annual Report to PEIHSF by March 1, 2012 for inclusion in the Federation’s Annual Book of Reports. These reports are a way to write the history of Home and School on PEI. Don't have nightmares in considering what to write – it definitely does not have to be a rewrite of War and Peace. Keep it simple and light! A template can be found at: http://www.edu.pe.ca/peihsf/documents/Sample%20Pres%20Report%20Template%20.pdf

The PEIHSF announces the annual Volunteer of the Year Award for exceptional contribution to the total well being of children and youth on P.E.I. through service at the Local Home and School Association. A Life Membership recognition will also be presented to an individual for outstanding service in the provincial federation. Awards are presented at the Annual General Meeting in April. Criteria can be reviewed on-line; submit nominations by March 16. Nomination forms are at: http://www.edu.pe.ca/peihsf/initiatives.html

The PEIHSF Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be taking place on Saturday, April 14, 2012, from 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the RODD Charlottetown Hotel on Kent Street in Charlottetown. Member Home and School Associations are asked to invite all members to attend and can designate up to five members to be Official Voting Delegates. More information will follow.

The PEIHSF will have some vacancies this spring. Any member of Home and School may nominate another member for a two-year position. The Federation Board of Directors, comprised of 6 executive members and 8 regional directors, provides leadership, support, and resources to its members. Positions will be outlined on a nomination form and mailed to every president this month. Why not consider taking an active role in the governance of your Federation?

On behalf of the Federation, I wish all students, staff and parents a great second semester!

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January 2012

Now's the time to get excited about
the potential of the new year ahead

“This bright new year is given me
To live each day with zest
... .To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!”
-----William Arthur Ward

It’s a bright new year indeed! January seems to always be filled with so many possibilities.

It is that new journal which has yet to be written in, it is that new start, it is that new shiny toy right of the box. The challenge is to keep that excitement and that joy for ‘potential’ alive for another 364 days.

We must encourage our children to grow daily and to do their very best. If we can do this with our children then we shall have given them a gift that will last for their entire lives.

Just prior to Christmas, the PEI Home and School Federation (PEIHSF) launched a Home and School Tool Kit to help families navigate their child's learning journey. The kit is part of PEIHSF’s Parent Engagement Initiative that is supported by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.

Every school on the Island has received two copies – one copy, which will be kept in the school library and the other, will be kept by the president of the school’s home and school association. The tool kit is also available on the PEIHSF website at www.edu.pe.ca/peihsf/.

There are many things happening in January with respect to education and quite a few important dates to make note of and remember. The nomination deadline for the PEIHSF Extra Mile Awards for 2012 are fast approaching. You can nominate a school staff person for going the "extra mile" for our students.

Please submit nominations by January 13th 2012 to the PEIHSF office. You can find criteria and nomination papers at: http://www.edu.pe.ca/peihsf/TSAWeek.html.

Local home and school associations are also asked to submit resolutions by January 31st 2012 to be considered for the 2012 Annual General Meeting in April. For topics and tips on "How to write and present a resolution" you can use this link: http://www.edu.pe.ca/peihsf/takingaction.html. The Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, the Hon. Alan McIsaac has also replied to the Federation’s 2011 resolutions which can also be found on the PEIHSF website.

Family Literacy Day is January 27th 2012 - We hope you will participate by hosting an event and encouraging families in your community to engage in literacy activities on a daily basis. If you haven't already, please register your event online at http://abclifeliteracy.ca/fld/register/ before January 6th 2012 to be eligible to win a Family Literacy Day prize pack!

Sir John A. Macdonald would be turning 197 on January 11, 2012. School classrooms across Canada are hosting Sir John A Day birthday party celebrations in memory of our first prime minister and Father of Confederation.

While on the subject of anniversaries, PEIHSF celebrates 59 YEARS, on January 29th 2012. So as we enter our 60th year please think of ways that we can celebrate our Diamond Jubilee.

The Prime Minister's Awards for Teaching Excellence program are ‘Canada's way of recognizing our best teachers, promote what they have achieved and share their innovative and successful teaching practices’.

Guidelines and nomination forms for the 2011-2012 Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence and Excellence in Early Childhood Education are now available, with nominations accepted until January 9th 2012.

On behalf of PEIHSF, I wish one and all a Happy New Year and all of the best in 2012.

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December 2011

Looking ahead to events in 2012

“How did it get so late so soon? It’s night before its afternoon.
December is here before its June. My goodness how the time
has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?” Dr. Seuss

The time indeed has ‘flewn’ and Christmas is fast upon us. Our children are excited and rightly so as it is both a magical season and a time for a bit of a break from school.

Students will soon be getting their first report card of the year and in a round about way so will we parents. Studies have proven that parent involvement makes a significant difference in a child’s education. Students with more highly involved parents made stronger reading and math gains than less involved parents. So look at your children’s grades and determine how well you did in engaging with your children this autumn.
There is always room for improvement and the end of the school year is still six months away.

The Education Governance Commission is still seeking everyone’s views on how the education system could be improved and governed. The Commission is seeking public input on a governance approach that ensures leadership and accountability for student learning outcomes and the effective, efficient, responsive operation of PEI’s education system. Members of the public are encouraged to have their say. More information can be found at www.peieducationgovernance.com

After Christmas break, it will be time to nominate a school staff person for the P.E.I. Home and School Federation’s Extra Mile Award. The deadline is Jan. 13. More details can be found at http://www.edu.pe.ca/peihsf/award_extramile.html

This initiative is all part of the Canadian Home and School Federation (CHSF) National Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week which will take place the week of Feb. 12-18. Please form a committee of enthusiastic people to organize a celebration to recognize your school staff during that week. More details and suggestions can be found at http://www.edu.pe.ca/peihsf/TSAWeek.html

Home and School Associations are becoming more tech-savvy by developing websites, blogs, Facebook pages and Twitter accounts. These are all ways to communicate with parents and teachers in their school communities and to connect with other Associations. Networking is key to communication. You can view these conversations linked to our website’s resources page at http://stoneparkhomeandschool.blog.ca/2010/12/08/pisa-results-10145121/

The first round of Parent Leadership Grants from the PEI Home and School Federation has come and gone with the next competition in the New Year.

The deadline for the next round of submissions is Feb. 29. Home and School groups and parent associations are strongly encouraged to get their proposals submitted. Check out the PEI Home and School Federation’s website for more details and for the application at: www.edu.pe.ca/peihsf

Christmas can be a fun time for families and the memories will last a lifetime. Family traditions like baking cookies, singing carols, decorating the tree, and going skates, among other pleasurable activities will strengthen the bonds within a family. Share some time together, it really is the greatest gift you can give. On behalf of PEIHSF, I wish one and all a blessed and happy Christmas on the Gentle Isle.

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November 2011

Working together for all children

Education Governance Commission is seeking Islanders views

The chill is again in the air and that can only mean that November is here. The PEI Home and School Federation along with all of the local associations are working hard to ‘level the playing field’ for all students in the education system on the Island. There are many challenges ahead to ensure that all of our children have the same access to the best education possible, however, with a co-ordinated effort and some ‘out of the box’ thinking we can succeed. Educating the next generation is one of the most important things that we can ever do!

PEIHSF is pleased to announce that his Honour, Frank Lewis, PEI’s Lieutenant-Governor, has accepted our request to be the Federation’s Honorary Patron for the duration of his vice-regal term. The Federation looks forward to working with his Honour to make sure that we all put our children first. PEIHSF would also like to welcome the Honourable J Alan McIsaac who is now PEI’s new Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development. We look forward to the continued co-operative relationship that PEIHSF has with the Minister and his staff. We also would like to thank the Honourable Doug Currie for his time as Minister and wish him continued success in his new portfolio.

The PEI Home and School Federation held its 58th semi-annual meeting on October 18th at Harmony House in Hunter River. All of the approved resolutions from the annual general meeting from April 2011 were again presented and answered by the stakeholders. The discussion was civil and the questions were answered attentively. All those in attendance were impressed to see that there is an excellent working relationship amongst all those that work in education. The guest panel was fully engaged and quite honest when the resolutions and other issues were discussed.

The Education Governance Commission is seeking Islanders’ views on how the education system should be improved and governed. The Commission recently released its document entitled Charting the Way, an Education Governance Discussion Paper. The Commission is seeking public input on a governance approach that ensures leadership and accountability for student learning outcomes and the effective, efficient, responsive operation of PEI’s education system. The public is encouraged to have their say and more information can be found at the following website: www.peieducationgovernance.com The Commission can also be contacted by telephone at (902) 620-3198. I encourage everyone to get involved and request that local home and school associations discuss the document at your next meeting.

PEIHSF is pleased to announce that we have launched a new initiative called Parent Leadership Grants. This is another opportunity for parents/guardians to continue their involvement in the support of student learning and success. Project guidelines and information on the grants can be found on the PEIHSF website at www.edu.pe.ca/peihsf or by calling the office at (902) 620-3186 or 1-800-916-0664.

Finally, I would like to remind all teachers and parents that Remembrance Day is soon upon us. Remember those that have served their country, explain the significance of the poppy to your children and take them to a Remembrance Day service. We Shall Remember Them!

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October 2011
Time for everyone to put a stop to bullying!

“Why you gotta be so mean?
You, with your words like knives and swords and weapons that you use against me.”
Singer, Taylor Swift from her song ‘Mean.’

This song is very popular these days and sadly it is not only because of its catchy tune. The lyrics resonate with so many because of their impact and the fact there are so many victims of bullying. Yes, unfortunately, bullying is alive and well in the 21st century and the gentle Island is not impenetrable to its destructiveness.

The news has been replete as of late with sad stories about bullying. Perhaps one of the saddest stories is that of the eleven year old Ontario boy, Mitchell Wilson who was bullied at school to the point that he couldn’t take it anymore and took his own life at the start of this school year.

As a parent of an eleven year old, I was so saddened to hear of this tragedy and on behalf of the Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation (PEIHSF) I extend our heartfelt condolences to his family.

The PEIHSF has been advocating against bullying for years and has been at the forefront in efforts to assist students; teachers and parents eliminate it from schools and society writ large. The PEIHSF has planned meetings with the Department of Education to advance this issue and hopefully push for a province-wide anti-bullying campaign to be in-place soon.

There are a number of excellent resources and initiatives on the internet that parents/ guardians can use to discuss bullying with their children. Bullying Canada has an excellent website which can be found at: www.bullyingcanada.ca There is also another excellent initiative called WITS which can be found at www.witsprogram.ca

For students who are being bullied there is the Kids Help Phone which you can call at 1800-668-6868 or find on the internet at www.KidsHelpPhone.ca The local Home & School associations are encouraged to talk about bullying at one of your meetings this year. Please contact the PEIHSF office if you need guidance or resources. Bullying will be discussed at the PEIHSF Brainstorming Session which will be held sometime in November – details will be forthcoming.

The 58th Semi-Annual Meeting for PEIHSF will be held at Harmony House on Tuesday, October 18th 2011 in Hunter River (across from Central Queens Elementary School. Registration kits have been sent off to all of the Home & School Associations. Please register by October 14th. The meeting will discuss the 2011 resolutions that were approved at the Annual General Meeting and will be attended by the Minister of Education and Superintendents of the Eastern School District and the Western School Board as well as any trustees of the school boards who wish to attend. This meeting is an excellent opportunity to see how Home & School holds government and those in the education system accountable.

School board meetings for the month of October are as follows: The Eastern School District Board Meeting will be held October 12th, 2011 at Bluefield Senior High School at 7 PM. The Western School Board Meeting will be held at Alberton Elementary School at 8 PM on October 19th 2011. Parents are encouraged to attend these meetings and see the workings of the boards and have a chat with your local school trustee.

Safety at home and at school is always an important topic to discuss with your children. Talk about school bus safety and remind them that not all vehicles will stop at school buses with the red flashing lights and they must still look both ways before crossing the road. Have a chat about safe measures that can be taken around Halloween and remind your children that if they concerns about anything that you are there for them!

Just as you are there for your children, the PEIHSF is there for you! Please contact us at 902-620-3186 or 1-800-916-0664 or email us at peihsf@edu.pe.ca

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September 2011
Meet the challenges of another school year....Take the time to get involved at a variety of levels

Another school year begins on the Island and with it the opportunities and challenges associated with learning. This may be your child’s first year at school or his/her last or they may be somewhere in between. It doesn’t much matter where they are, because every school year is important in their educational journey. Journeys are much easier when they are made together and the same is certainly true when children make the journey with a parent or guardian.

PEI’s new Lieutenant-Governor, Frank Lewis in his installation address stated, “Strengthening our volunteer organizations is very important … and I ask you to consider service to our community and country with pride and conviction as a priority and even a duty.” Joining your local Home and School Association is an excellent way to share your child’s journey at school and serve your community at the same time. As a Chinese proverb says, “The journey is the reward.”

The PEI Home and School Federation (PEIHSF) will be providing free leadership training for Home and School volunteers on Wednesday, September 21st at West Royalty Elementary and Thursday, September 22nd at Athena Consolidated. Please call 620-3186 or toll free 1-800-916-0664 to register. You can also see the poster on our website: www.edu.pe.ca/peihsf These workshops are an excellent way to learn how Home and School Associations work, how they fit within the educational system and how you can enjoy assisting your school and your child.

The 58th Semi-Annual Meeting for PEIHSF will be held at Harmony House on Tuesday, October 18th 2011 in Hunter River. Further details will be forthcoming. The meeting will discuss the 2011 resolutions that were approved at the Annual General Meeting and will be attended by the Minister of Education and Superintendents of the Eastern School District and the Western School Board as well as any trustees of the school boards who wish to attend. This meeting is an excellent opportunity to see how PEIHSF works for the good of your child with all stakeholders within the educational system.

Speaking of school boards, PEIHSF encourages parents to attend at least one of these meetings to see what it is that school boards do and find out a bit more about the roles and responsibilities of trustees. Elections for trustees will be happening during this school year so you may consider getting involved in your child’s educational journey in another manner. Meetings are held on a monthly basis. Details are on our website. If you would like more information on perhaps running for a school trustee position you can also contact our office for more information.

Canada will celebrate Sir John A. Day, on January 11, 2012. The Sir John A. Day Project invites schools/classes to throw a birthday party worthy of our first prime minister. Schools may enter to win prizes. Visit the website for more details: http://www.sirjohnaday.ca

Another provincial election is upon us and with it more promises made and hopefully promises kept. Education should be a priority of any elected government because an excellent education system gives our most valuable assets - our children - the tools and the confidence to succeed in the future. Our children are the future of PEI so it would only make sense to give them the best start in life possible. PEIHSF encourages everyone on the Island to make education an issue in this election. Organize town halls and invite the candidates to discuss the issues that affect our children and hold them accountable to make PEI’s educational system amongst the very best in the world. I would ask all provincial candidates to think about education at all times during your campaign.

On behalf of PEIHSF, I would like to wish all students, teachers, support staff, principals, parents, guardians and all associated with the educational system a safe and successful school year.

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June 2011
PEIHSF School Bus Driver of the Year
Awards 2011 to be handed out in June

Now that June and the nice weather has finally arrived, children across the Island are eagerly awaiting the last school bell of the year.

Some are about to graduate from high school and embark on the next portion of their journey in life. Graduates, congratulations on your achievement and parents/guardians, well done for your support and fortitude!

This has been a challenging year for many in the education system and unfortunately, the challenges will continue into the next school year. The disruptions and upheavals associated with the school closures have been difficult for many, but the ability to adapt and overcome has prevailed.

Parents and guardians have again found their voices to stand up for their children’s best interests, and children have shown their incredible resilience to rise above difficult situations.

On Friday, May 20, I had the privilege of acting as a special judge for the Provincial Heritage Fair. Over 200 children entered the competition, and the presentations were amazing. The exuberance these children showed for history was truly amazing! Congratulations to all the winners and well done to all who participated.

School Inspection Reports have been released by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. These reports are now posted on the department’s website at http://www.gov.pe.ca/eecd/schoolinspections

Education and Early Childhood Minister Doug Currie has also announced that in the future parent representatives will be members of local school health and safety committees. Details will be posted on the Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation (PEIHSF) website when they become available. The PEIHSF website address is: www.edu.pe.ca/peihsf/

The PEIHSF annual general meeting 2011 minutes and resolutions have been posted on the PEIHSF website.

Resolutions, which were passed at the AGM, have been forwarded to Currie, as well as to the school boards for review and response. These responses will be posted when they are received and discussed at PEIHSF’s semi-annual meeting in October.

PEIHSF School Bus Driver of the Year Awards 2011 will be awarded this month – one in the Western School Board and one in the Eastern School District. Well done to all bus drivers for taking care of our most precious cargoes!

Although many children do not want to know this yet, the school calendar for the 2011-2012 school year is out. The first day of school for next year will be Sept. 6. You can follow tthis link for the 2011-2012 School Calendar: http://www.gov.pe.ca/eecd/index.php3?number=1037473&lang=E

Schooling for the year is coming to a close, yet education should not take a summer vacation. Children - during your time off - ask questions, be inquisitive, wonder while you wander and know that learning should be a lifetime passion!

As this is the last column for the school year, I must thank all of you who are involved in education in P.E.I. I would like to make special mention of all volunteers with Home and School. Yyour hard work and dedication continue to make a difference in the lives of our children. Have a safe and wonderful summer!

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May 2011
Federation holds successful AGM

The Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation (PEIHSF) recently held its annual general meeting in Charlottetown on April 16 at the Rodd Charlottetown.

The event was a huge success with over 100 in attendance. All resolutions were passed and will be forwarded to decision-makers in government and education who can make changes for the benefit of all Island students. A lively brainstorming session with respect to the future of Home and School was held, and suggestions/comments will be used in the coming year.

During the buffet, we were given an excellent presentation by two young farmers from the Shepherds Farm in Pisquid, Naomi and Daniel Cousins, on the merits of teaching young people about the importance of healthy eating and organic farming.

Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Doug Currie gave a quick rundown of the past year and hosted a candid question and answer session.

The day ended with farewells to outgoing Board members and a presentation to Teri Hall from Souris who received the federation's 2011 Volunteer of the Year Award. Congratulations and many thanks to all for yet another memorable and successful AGM.

The Federation is accepting nominations for the School Bus Driver of the Year Award for 2011. Parents through their Home and School Associations may nominate a school bus driver from your school. The deadline for nominations is May 20. Follow this link for nomination information: www.edu.pe.ca/peihsf/documents/Bus%20Dri%20Awd%202009.pdf

In other federation news, a systematic review of P.E.I.’s school governance model will be done over the next number of months, says Currie. Home and School associations may suggest names of committee representatives to the minister for consideration. Please follow the following link for the press release: http://www.gov.pe.ca/eecd/index.php3?number=news&dept=&newsnumber=7678?=E

Parents and families are encouraged to ensure their children take part in an early years evaluation over the first two weeks of May. Children preparing to enter kindergarten in the fall will attend early years evaluation sessions at Island schools starting the first week of May. Contact the school to register children for kindergarten.

The Western School Board will behaving “Talking & Sharing” on Wednesday, May 11, 6:30 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. at Hernewood Intermediate School. Following on the heels of its successful "Talking & Sharing" session of trustees, parents, school officials, and PEIHSF last year, the Board is sponsoring another opportunity for everyone to come together to share ideas and comments around topics of common concern or interest.

The Canadian Education Association has put together an excellent resource on How to Best Motivate Students. This article from Education Canada Magazine presents ways to engage students through effective questioning. Parents can try these strategies at home with their children. Follow this link: http://www.cea-ace.ca/publication/facts-education-how-best-motivate-students

Celebrate Canadian children’s books and the importance of reading during the TD Canadian Children's Book Week, which brings the magic of books and reading to children all across Canada! The next book week tour is until May 7, 2011. For information, visit http://www.bookweek.ca/ Close to 35,000 children, teens and adults participate in activities held in every province and territory across the country. Hundreds of schools, public libraries, bookstores and community centres host events as part of this major literary festival.

Although it is already May, there is still a bit of time remaining in the school year. Continue to engage your children as they head into the homestretch. Report cards and graduation are fast approaching, and it can be both an exciting and stressful time for many students. Keep their morale up by encouraging them whenever possible.

Speaking of keeping morale up, P.E.I. Home and School Federation acknowledges the upheaval experienced by the schools affected by air quality problems this year and will continue to work to find fast resolutions to the challenges being faced by students, parents and staff. As the French playwright Moliere once said, “The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it.”

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April 2011-------Make Education Matter During Federal Election Campaign

The federal election is now well underway and with it are priorities set and promises made – and hopefully promises kept! Everyone is encouraged to examine each federal party's position related to children, youth and education, and to vote for candidates who give priority to education and programmes that support the well-being of children and youth in Canada. We are now well into the 21st Century and unfortunately in many ways we are still following precepts established in the 19th Century that have now outlived their usefulness.

Although responsibility for education rests with the provinces and territories, programmes and services of many government departments directly affect education and the well-being of children and youth. Last year, the Canadian Home & School Federation called for the federal government to establish a Minister of State for Children and Youth. This diverse portfolio with complex issues would provide strategic direction on all issues concerning the welfare of children and youth in Canada – including education. The federal government has already established a Minister of State for Seniors, therefore, it would follow that there would be a federal minister entrusted with nurturing Canada’s future generations.

This federal election campaign is an opportunity for parents and guardians to hold those responsible for running our country to put the needs of our children first. Politicians must think beyond the next election and become visionary statesmen who implement policies for the good of future generations. It is time for those concerned about education, children and youth to ask what each of the federal parties is doing with respect to education and what their position would be with respect to establishing a Minister of State for Children and Youth. Give each of the candidates in this federal election a call they appreciate the thought!

IT’S NOT TOO LATE.....to still register for the PEIHSF Annual General Meeting which will be held at the Rodd Charlottetown on Saturday April 16th 2011. Every Home and School is encouraged to have your Association represented at the AGM. Call Shirley Jay at 620-3186 or 1-800-916-0664 to register.

Door Prizes are being collected from businesses. If you or your Home & School would like to donate a door prize, please let the PEIHSF office know and bring the item with you to the meeting. For more information please visit the federation website at www.edu.pe.ca/peihsf/

Collaboration is key to great public schools. Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Doug Currie recently participated in the International Summit on the Teaching Profession in New York City. Educational representatives and union leaders from around the world gathered to discuss the important role teachers are playing in strengthening the public school system. If we all work together we can make good things happen. Watch the video at: http://neatoday.blip.tv/file/4923629/

Check out the new look of the Western School Board’s new website at http://www.edu.pe.ca/wsb/westindex.htm and please note that their next board meeting will occur Wednesday, April 20th at St. Louis Elementary at 8:00 p.m. The federation encourages one and all to attend this meeting.

In the east, the newly appointed Official Trustee for the Eastern School District will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, April 6th at 7 p.m., at Birchwood Intermediate. PEIHSF encourages parents in the east to attend this meeting tonight.

Please make note that National Volunteer Week takes place from April 10th – 16th, 2011 and is the biggest celebration of volunteers and volunteerism in Canada. You can build your own Thank You Card for volunteers in your Home and School Association at: http://nationalvolunteerweek.ca/index_en.html April 21st - 27th, 2011 is Turn Off TV Week, therefore it is time to talk to kids about what they’re watching! Please check out the media awareness network at:www.media- awareness.ca/english/resources/educational/ teachable_moments/tv_turnoff_week.cfm

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March 2011--------AGM Announced For April 16th

“Putting Children First!” is the new motto of the PEI Home and School Federation (PEIHSF) this school year.

It has always been the driving principle behind what Home and School has done over the years; however, it has come to the fore more and more at the local association level and certainly at the provincial federation level because of all that has happened in the first six months of this school year.

The other guiding principle has been doing the right thing, and this will always get any organization or anyone through the most difficult of times. Pass this catch phrase on to your children and inspire them to do this in everything that they do.

The Federation has been hearing some wonderful and uplifting stories of what students, teachers and parents have done in assisting the students from the mould-affected schools. They are to be commended for making the visiting students feel welcome and part of their schools.

There are many struggles ahead with respect to school closures and fixing the problems may take longer than expected. Rest assured that your local home and school associations, as well as the federation, will continue to assist in any way that they can during these challenging times.

The PEIHSF’s annual general meeting (AGM) is Saturday, April 16 at the Rodd Charlottetown Hotel, Kent Street, Charlottetown. Chef Michael Smith will be our guest speaker.

Register for the AGM by April 1 and your name will go into a draw to win a night’s stay on Friday, April 15, at the Rodd Charlottetown.

The AGM package has been mailed to presidents and co-chairs of local home and school associations. Please see the Federation’s website www.edu.pe.ca/peihsf for further details. The 2011 resolutions have also been mailed out; local associations are encouraged to discuss these at a meeting.

It is again time for the Home and School Volunteer and Life Membership awardsPeople are invited to submit a nomination to the federation office by March 18. These awards will be presented at the AGM in April.

In further announcements for March, parents are invited to fill out an on-line survey during the month of March as part of school development planning. The Tell Them From Me survey measures student engagement, student wellness and school climate gets to the source of known factors that affect academic achievement. For more information go to: http://www.gov.pe.ca/index.php3?number=news&lang=E&newsnumber=7443

The Canada Poster Day Challenge is an annual contest started in 1987 that offers young Canadians, aged 5 to 18, the opportunity to give visual expression to their sense of being Canadian and what Canada means to them. The theme for the 2011 challenge is: Canada: A proud past, a bright future! In celebration of its centennial year, Parks Canada is offering this year’s grand prize. The 13 provincial and territorial finalists will travel to Alberta, accompanied by a parent or guardian, to visit Banff and Jasper National Parks. Entry rules can be found at: www.posterchallenge.pch.gc.ca and must be postmarked before midnight March 31.

The PEIHSF would be remiss if it did not recognize the recent Extra Mile Award Winners for 2011: Fran Albrecht, a teacher at Somerset Elementary School who was presented with the PEI Home and School Federation’s Extra Mile Award for the west, and Karen Mullally, teacher at Souris Consolidated School, who was presented with the award for the east.

The PEIHSF would also like to recognize the hard work carried out by those members of the Eastern School District’s board of trustees who exhibited a commitment to children.

“People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is built.” Eleanor Roosevelt

For further assistance about this or any other issue, call 620-3186 / 1-800-916-0664 or email peihsf@edu.pe.ca

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February 2011 -------- Parents Invest in Education Issue:
Air Quality, assessments, national appreciation
and planning for AGM important to consider

It is becoming increasingly apparent to all of those involved in education on P.E.I. that we must all increase investment in all aspects of education both monetary and otherwise.

Investing in education is an investment in our children, which is an investment for our collective future. Investing in schools is an investment in our communities which gives rise to children and thus the need for education.

Investment is sometimes defined as “the commitment of something other than money (time, energy, or effort) to a project with the expectation of some worthwhile result”. What more ‘worthwhile result’ is there than the education of our children?

The air quality issues which have arisen in various schools on the Island have created displeasure and aggravation for many. However, bad situations sometimes give rise to positive ideas and solutions. Parents have realized that they must be empowered to have a say in all aspects of their children’s education and welfare. Information flow and good communications are key to success in all things. Parent or teacher volunteers through their local Home and School associations will now hopefully be members of their school’s Occupational Health and Safety Committees.

The P.E.I. Home and School Federation would like to thank all those involved in making arrangements and moving the children from the affected schools to the temporary schools. It was a huge task and administrators, teachers, parents/guardians and students deserve to be recognized for their flexibility, calmness and resilience in what was a very difficult period. It is now time to get back to teaching, learning and looking to the future.

In February parents of students in Grade 4 will receive their child’s test results for the Grade 3 math assessment written in October. This is a great time for parents and guardians to talk with their children about the importance of learning math. Everyone is also encouraged to promote a positive attitude towards math.

Remember that TEACHER/STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK will take place Feb. 14-19. Children and parents - this is a great time to say thanks for a job well done. Please look at the PEIHSF website http://www.edu.pe.ca/peihsf/TSAWeek.html for T/SAW Planning Ideas for this special week.

Mark the calendar for the P.E.I. Home and School Federation’s 58th annual general meeting on Saturday, April 16, at the Rodd Charlottetown Hotel, Kent Street, Charlottetown. The registration information package will be mailed to presidents within the next few weeks. Put this item on the February agenda and ask two to five members to attend as Home and School association voting delegates.

People are reminded that pesidents' and committee chair annual reports are due March 1. These reports will be included in the federation’s annual book of reports. Sample report templates are available on the PEIHSF website at:
http://www.edu.pe.ca/peihsf/documents/Sample%202011%20Pres%20Rpt%20Form.pdf

For further assistance about this or any other issue, call 620-3186 / 1-800-916-0664 or email peihsf@edu.pe.ca

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January 2011

Plenty of exciting activities planned for coming months -
Time to submit a nomination for 2011 Extra Mile Award

Here we are in a New Year with all of its promise and unbridled potential and all the hope of good things to come.

The New Year is a time that many of us make resolutions to better things or improve ourselves. Let us have a common and unfaltering resolution to better the future for our children and improve education on PEI.

I challenge all of the stakeholders in education – children, parents, guardians, teachers, support staffs, bureaucrats and politicians to strive for the best education in the country. If you shoot for the stars you might just reach them! The PEI Home and School Federation will be here to champion these efforts and provide the support that may be needed.

There are many things in the upcoming months that require mentioning.

The 2011 Extra Mile Award sponsored by the PEIHSF is fast approaching. Please nominate a teacher / staff person for the Extra Mile Award by Jan. 22. Follow this link for more details: http://www.edu.pe.ca/peihsf/initiatives.html .

The national Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week, sponsored by the Canadian Home and School Federation, is the week of Feb. 14. The federation has some great ideas for this important week on its website at: http://www.edu.pe.ca/peihsf/TSAWeek.html .

Another important day takes place this month on Jan. 27, Family Literacy Day. More information can be found at the following website: http://www.abc-canada.org/en/family_literacy_day .

The deadline for Home and School associations to submit resolutions to the Federation is Jan. 31. Topics that may impact on students’ education include, but are not limited to, school infrastructure, funding for core school materials, class size and composition, school fees, bus safety, health and safety in schools, school board elections, provincial testing, national and international education assessments for the province, newcomers to Canada, involvement of parent groups in school development planning and whatever topic that associations may think is relevant regarding their schools.

The PEIHSF is available to help write these resolutions. There is a “how to write and present a resolution” section and examples of previous resolutions are available on the federation’s website. See the “Taking Action” page: http://www.edu.pe.ca/peihsf/takingaction.html .

Just a reminder regarding events down the road, the 2011 annual general meeting of the PEIHSF will be held in April. Be sure to mark the calendar for Saturday, April 16th, at the Rodd Charlottetown Hotel. Home and School associations may send five voting delegates. More information will follow in the coming months.

For further information on anything, do not hesitate to contact the PEIHSF office at 620-3186/1-800-916-0664, by fax at 620-3187 or by email at peihsf@edu.pe.ca . People are also encouraged to check out the website at www.edu.pe.ca/peihsf .

As we enter this New Year let us think of the future with open eyes and gentle hearts and “live so that when your children think of fairness and integrity, they think of you.” H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

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December 2010
"Brainstorming session proves productive for all involved"

This autumn the PEI Home and School Federation (PEIHSF) was invited to numerous school openings and the opening of new school wings on the Island.

To tour the new facilities and see the excitement of the students and teachers alike was great - it reminds us of why we do what we do! The new schools are equipped with some of the most recent technology available to the child of today.

Unfortunately, this only widens the divide between the new and old. The question, therefore, becomes how the various stakeholders in our children's education address this increasing divide. There is no easy answer to this question and where to find the money is the challenge. Dale Carnegie once said: "Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all".

During the Remembrance Day Week, the PEIHSF attended the national Canadian Home and School Federation (CHSF) mid-term in Ottawa. Over the course of just a few days much was accomplished including the following: revising CHSF policy; sending letters to all the provincial health ministers with respect to restricting the sale of energy drinks to minors; starting a petition for the establishment of a Federal Ministry for Children & Youth; retaking ownership and promoting the Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week; and refocusing CHSF for the future with respect to partnerships and technology.

The recent Presidents' Brainstorming Session in Hunter River was a huge success. Approximately, 15 presidents and co-chairs of local home and school associations from across the Island attended to discuss both the challenges and success stories from their local schools. The top three issues facing home and school associations as decided upon by those attending were the importance of engaging more parents; the need to further define fundraising so that local associations are not raising money for what should be core educational expenses and the need for government to establish a sustainable infrastructure plan for schools Island-wide.

Everyone enjoyed the session so much that they requested that it be held again in the spring. The plan, therefore, is to have another brainstorming session the afternoon of the PEIHSF's Annual General Meeting in April.

There are a number of deadlines approaching for which PEISHF would be remiss if they were not highlighted in this column including the following:

The PEIHSF is now accepting nominations for the Extra Mile Award which recognizes teachers and/or staff personnel who exemplify going the extra mile - over and above the call of duty. Two recipients will be announced and a presentation made at their respective schools during Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week. There will be two Extra Mile Awards presented, one in the Eastern School District and a second in the Western School Board. The deadline is January 22. Refer to the PEIHSF website for nomination information at: http://www.edu.pe.ca/peihsf/award_extramile.html .

The deadline to submit resolutions to PEIHSF is Jan. 31. A resolution is a written statement that when adopted becomes the basis for policies and actions taken by the federation. A resolution can be submitted by a member of a local home and school association or the provincial Board of Directors. Resolutions that are passed are forwarded to the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and other destinations where decision-makers in government can make changes for the benefit of all Island students. Please refer to the PEIHSF website on how to write a resolution: http://www.edu.pe.ca/peihsf/write_resolution.html .

The 22nd Annual Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week is the week of February 13 - 19, 2011. The week is sponsored by the Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation and Canadian Home and School Federation to encourage parents and the wider community to recognize the important contributions, both personal and professional, of teachers and school staff to the lives of children and their education. A poster will be mailed to all schools and posted on our website. Again, refer to the PEIHSF website for more information and ideas at: http://www.edu.pe.ca/peihsf/TSAWeek.html .

To all of those involved in the education of children and youth on P.E.I., Merry Christmas, enjoy the holidays and the much deserved rest!

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November 2010
"Central Queens Elementary School hosts semi-annual meeting"

It has been a very busy month for the PEI Home and School Federation and for all of the local home and school associations. A welcome to parents of kindergarten students across the province and a welcome to a brand new member association that has been formed with the opening of Stratford Elementary School.

Parent/Teacher interviews are in full swing and we are all now finding out how our children are progressing in school. This can be a stressful time for both parents and children, however, with a little bit of help and encouragement adjustments can be made to make the remainder of the school year a success. Please check out our resources page on the Federation's website at http://www.edu.pe.ca/peihsf/ for some helpful guidance.

The P.E.I. Home and School Federation held its 57th semi-annual meeting on Oct. 19th at Central Queens Elementary School in Hunter River where all of the approved resolutions from the federation's annual meeting from April 2010 were discussed.

The discussion was candid and lively and all those in attendance were impressed to see that the decision-makers for education on the Island were fully engaged and quite honest when the resolutions and other issues were discussed. Everyone must agree that it is fortunate on P.E.I. to have access to the minister of education and early childhood development, his deputy minister and the two English school board superintendents.

The federation appreciates the attendance and the candour of Doug Currie, Sandy MacDonald, Ricky Hood and Dale Sabean. The highlight of the evening came when all four unequivocally voiced the news that there would be no further school closures on P.E.I. for the foreseeable future.

The report has been released to the public. On June 4- 5, 2010, Minister Doug Currie, minister of education and early childhood development, convened a Summit on Learning bringing together over 250 Islanders: parents, students, leaders in the classroom and in the education system and in business. They were asked to consider the future landscape of learning on Prince Edward Island to identify opportunities to support Island learners to prepare for life and work in the 21st Century.

The full report is linked on the Federation's website www.edu.pe.ca/peihsf/ . I would encourage all parents and teachers to read the report and to begin thinking on how education must move with the times. Be sure to add the minister’s report to your next home and school meeting’s agenda for discussion by membership.

The PEIHSF will be hosting a brainstorming session for all presidents of home and school associations across the Island. This will be held on Thursday, Nov. 18, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at Harmony House Theatre in Hunter River.

The purpose is to discuss the major issues or challenges facing home and school associations and to meet your counterparts from all over the Island. A memo concerning this important session will be sent out shortly.

I encourage maximum attendance as it will be the only one of the year and it is highly anticipated that the discussions will be beneficial and positively influence the future of home and school associations on the Island.

Halloween is now over and the children have had fun dressing up and collecting the goodies. Now Christmas is right around the corner. There is, however, one more important event before Santa Clause arrives and this is Remembrance Day.

On Nov. 11, take time to remember the veterans who have served and died for this country and for those that are still making the sacrifice abroad.

Lest we forget. Lest we forget.

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October 2010
"Fall means plenty of activities for Home and School Associations"

Home and School associations across the Island as well as the P.E.I. Home and School Federation (PEIHSF) are in full swing for this school year.

The Federation would like to congratulate all newly elected executives and thank both the parents and teachers who have taken on these roles and for investing in our children’s futures.

The federation hosted two leadership training workshops just recently in both the eastern and western portions of the Island for executives of the local Home and School Associations. The training was excellent and it was well received by those in attendance! As Oswald Chambers once said, “the whole point of getting things done is knowing what to leave undone” and the training reinforced this adage. For those who missed the training, all the material is posted on the PEI Home and School Federation website.

The PEIHSF semi-annual meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 19, 2010, 6:00 - 8:30 PM at Central Queen’s Elementary School in Hunter River. Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Doug Currie, as well as Sandy MacDonald, deputy minister, will attend to discuss and answer questions concerning resolutions passed at the 2010 Annual General Meeting in April.

In addition, superintendents, Dale Sabean, Western School Board and Ricky Hood, Eastern School Board, will be present to address school board related questions. Register by Oct. 12. All members are welcome to attend with each association designating five members as their voting delegates.

The federation has in been in contact with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development to find out the status of the report from the Minister’s Education Summit that was held this past June. The Minister’s office has told PEIHSF that it will be out shortly. It is so important to regain the momentum that began at this summit in transforming education in the Province in the years to come.

School rezoning and school closures are reviewed on an annual basis by School Boards. Home and School Associations are encouraged to submit requests/comments to school boards regarding school board rezoning, attendance zones and accommodation where changes need to be addressed. You are asked to submit requests to the Eastern School District chair, Bob Clow by 5:00 PM on Oct. 15. You can also contact the board office (902) 368-6990 for information.

For the Western School Board and its policy / regulations with respect to student accommodation, zoning and recommended permanent school closure, refer to the following web address: www.edu.pe.ca/wsb/school board/policies/communitiesforlearning/31-StudentAccommodationZoning&PermanentClosure.pdf
Also, the Western School Board is asking for input to two new draft policies on Social Networking and Fund-Raising. You will find the policies on its website and may submit comments to the board office.

One of the issues that was raised at the P.E.I.H.S.F.’s annual general meeting this past April was the issue of communications. Parents noted that communication with some schools and teachers was now difficult in this electronic age and with the new school board security measures.

The fact is that both partners need to take responsibility for communication – teachers and parents. How does one engage parents who are uninterested in their children’s school and their activities? An excellent way to begin would be to perhaps make Parent/Teacher interviews mandatory. Children are required to go to school, so why not their parents for this important meeting? Just a reminder, parent / teacher interviews are scheduled for this month. Parents, show you care – meet your child’s teacher, it’s the least you can do.

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September 2010

"Plenty to look forward to in a new school year"

September is upon us already and with it comes the shift in gears from summer holidays to the return to school.

This can be a time of mixed emotions for parents/guardians and their school children. If parents/guardians are excited and positive about the first day, your enthusiasm will likely be passed on to your children.

Parents can help your child overcome any fears of the first day by talking about it and passing on some of their back to school experiences when you were young. The night before the big day, make sure your child gets plenty of sleep. In the morning and after a good breakfast remind them about what they have to look forward to at school.

The Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation (PEIHSF) looks forward to working together to achieve the best possible education for children and youth on PEI and I encourage you to find out more about the local associations.

Home and School is a volunteer, non-profit organization made up of individuals like you and me. It is an advocacy group working on behalf of school-age children both provincially and nationally. Curriculum content, class size, bullying, school bus safety, and health and addiction education – these are just a few of the current ideas being raised with the government.

As you can see, the more members Home and School has, the stronger voice it has. If your child is in the school system then this is a great way to get involved in your child’s education.

These years only come by once in a lifetime so don’t miss this wonderful opportunity! Visit our website at www.edu.pe.ca/peihsf/ and contact the office at (902) 620-3186 for any queries, issues or to offer ideas.

I would like to welcome Kindergarten children into the schools and let their parents know that there are many resources on the Internet to get them started. I would recommend that parents/guardians have a look at the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development website at http://www.gov.pe.ca/eecd/index.php3?number=1029911. This is an exciting time for your little ones and we wish them all the best!

Last June, the Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Doug Currie hosted the Minister’s Summit on Learning.It was an incredible event filled with optimism and great ideas for the future of education on the Island. We look forward to seeing the report on all of the issues that were raised and we also look forward to the follow-up sessions promised by the Minister.

While I am on the topic of politics, the Progressive Conservative Party of PEI is in the midst of a leadership race and one of the candidate forums will concern education on PEI. This will be held on Tuesday, September 14 at 7PM at Holy Redeemer Hall in Charlottetown. The public is invited to attend and ask questions to any of the candidates. I encourage you to attend.

I would like to remind drivers across the Island to slow down in school zones and to remember that the big yellow buses will soon be on the roads once again. Please obey the law, be courteous and remember that safety is everyone’s responsibility.

I wish all the students a happy and productive school year. Make the most of this year, embrace the opportunity to learn and remember to have fun while you are being taught by some of the best teachers in the country.

An old Chinese proverb goes like this: “Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself."

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June 2010

Presentations, policies, practices in the best interest of children

It is June already and another school year is just about finished. There is growing excitement among our children surrounding summer holidays. However, as parents and guardians we have to remember that our duty as ‘life-skills educators’ for the summer months increases in importance. In this day and age, it is all too easy to rely on the ‘Digital Babysitter’ when the children are at home, however, this is both detrimental to their health and their development. I was recently at a presentation by the Concerned Children’s Advertisers and they have a great mandate to help both our children and parents deal with the media and digital onslaught that we face today. I would encourage parents and children to check out their website at www.cca-kids.ca

The Canadian Home and School Federation (CHSF) recently held its Annual General Meeting in St. Andrews, NB and I had the honour to represent PEI. In an effort to advance the health of our children a national policy has been passed banning the sale of energy drinks to those below the legal age of majority. This policy is being sent to the Minister of Health and Health Canada for action and I shall be sending a copy to our Provincial Minister of Health.

The CHSF has also recognized an overwhelming need for the federal government to give responsibility for all issues related to our children to a single point of contact within Parliament. The CHSF is sending a letter to the Prime Minister requesting that he appoint a Secretary of State for Children and Youth. Having a federal minister with this portfolio would centralize all of the issues that affect Canadian children and would enable many non-profit organizations to advance their needs and concerns more readily. Please visit CHSF at www.canadianhomeandschool.com

Speaking of forward thinking, I eagerly anticipate the upcoming Minister’s Summit on Education that will be hosted by Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Doug Currie later this week. I believe it is important to hold such conferences with various stakeholders to brainstorm for ways to improve the future of education on PEI. The key note speaker for the Summit will be Charles Fadel, global leader for education at Cisco Systems and the author of “21st Century Skills: Learning for Life in Our Times.” I remind all Presidents of Home and School Associations to attend and make your voices heard.

I will also be attending an event sponsored by Imagine Canada at UPEI which is about "Building a Collective Action Plan for the Charitable and Non-profit Sector in Canada". Volunteers are the cornerstone of Home and School Associations, however, it is not always easy finding volunteers in this day and age. I have spoken with various non-profit organisations over the past few years and I believe it is high time for a National Volunteer Strategy. I hope that what I learn from this event we will be able to use in the future to attract more parents to volunteer and become active with their local Home and School Associations.

It's fun to share books with your child, and your family especially during the Summer months. Books are available in hardcopy, on audio, or even on an eReader and are portable, and shareable! A range of stories - fact and fiction - are suggested on the Reading Rockets website to get you started. They're as diverse as the children who will read them and the adults who share them with their children. Visit the website: http://www.readingrockets.org/

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all volunteers with Home and School Associations on the Island. Your hard work and dedication continue to make a difference in the lives of our children. Take a well-deserved rest over the summer holidays and comeback reinvigorated in the Autumn. Have a safe and wonderful summer with your families!

Written by Owen Parkhouse, President Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation. His column appears in the Guardian during the school year on the first Wednesday of the month. He welcomes comments from readers and information for his column. Contact him at: peihsf@edu.pe.ca

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May 2010

P.E.I. Home and School Federation welcomes
new president at AGM

Written by Owen Parkhouse, President
Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation

First, I would like to thank the outgoing board members and Bill Whelan for advocating for the best possible education for all children on P.E.I.

Second, I would like to thank the membership for allowing me to ‘take the helm’ for the next two years. I, like the others who have gone before me, am committed to the best possible education for our children.

The Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation (PEIHSF) had a great 57th Annual General Meeting this past month with over 120 delegates and guests. We had representation from the Provincial Government, the Eastern School District and Western School Board as well as the PEI Teachers’ Federation. The round table discussions were both exuberant and enlightening and showed the deep passion that many parents have for issues on education.

All six of the federation’s 2010 resolutions passed and will be forwarded to the appropriate destinations including the ministry of Education and Early Childhood Development, school boards and the P.E.I. Teachers’ Federation for consideration and action.

The resolution topics included: a request for clear procedures that encourage parent communication and involvement in school life, air quality testing in schools, the student achieve system (SAS), consistent board policy for rezoning and school closures, equal access to extra-curricular educational experiences, and equal access to school athletic association refereeing clinics. These resolutions become PEIHSF policy and are used by the Board when speaking on behalf of the federation.

For further information on these resolutions, please contact our executive director, Shirley Jay at the federation office or view our website at www.edu.pe.ca/peihsf/

Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Doug Currie has announced that he will be hosting a minister’s summit on learning’ in June. The focus of the summit is to create a vision for the future and determine what the education system should look like in 2020. I encourage all presidents or designates of local Home and School Associations to attend. Further details will be announced by the Minister’s Office.

The PEIHSF is continuing with its tradition of honouring the 2010 School Bus Driver of the Year Award. It's time to think of those wonderful drivers who drive students to and from school every day. Deadline for nominations is May 17th 2010. Contact the provincial office for more information.

Lastly, since this is my first column as federation president, I would like to tell you a bit about myself. I have recently retired from the Canadian Forces after over 20 years of service. I have been all over the world and I count my blessings that my family and I live in Canada.

I have seen children in war-torn countries living in abject poverty and clinging to a dream of someday going to school. In many of these countries, education is a privilege and not a right as it is in Canada. Children in these countries understand, even at very young ages, that education is the key to ending the cycle of poverty and perhaps even war.

I have distributed textbooks that have been donated to schools in East Timor and given out pencils to children in the former Yugoslavia and Afghanistan. Words cannot begin to describe the ‘joy on their faces’ after they received these ‘gifts’.

Education is a gift that should be cherished both by children and their parents. My goal is to continue the fine traditions and advocacy of the PEIHSF and along with all other stakeholders in the province to take education to the next level and ensure that it is given the priority that it so richly deserves.

I look forward to serving you and your children in the next two years and I welcome your ideas and your comments as we journey together. As William Butler Yeats once said: “Education is not filling a pail but the lighting of a fire”.

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April 2010

Written by Bill Whelan, President
Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation

When should your child start to think about their career path and what can you do to help? Parents should be aware that career education is part of the health curriculum in intermediate school. In addition, “Career Cruising’, an on-line career exploration tool, is available to all students in grades 7-12 and their parents. It includes a career aptitude test which can help students identify their career interests and strengths. Students can get a username and password from the school counselor. Parents are encouraged to check out www.careercruising.com and be their child’s career coach.

In 2009 a new grade 10 course called Career Explorations and Opportunities was piloted in four high schools across PEI. Students explore a wide range of career options and develop key skills in decision-making, critical thinking and financial literacy. Parents with children in high school can contact the principal to see if the course is available at their school.

More than 1200 Island children and their families will be entering kindergarten this September. A new school readiness program called Welcome to Kindergarten has been developed by The Learning Partnership and the Department of Education and Early Childhood. This program is designed to provide children and their parents with resources and experiences to improve school readiness and ultimately to support lifelong learning. Starting in late May, parents who have enrolled their children for kindergarten will be invited to attend a workshop at the school where their child is enrolled. Parents and their pre-school child will be introduced to learning strategies and helpful techniques to nurture early literacy and numeracy skills at home.

This is an opportunity for local associations to welcome and to become part of the support network for our new parents and kindergarten students entering the public school system. For more information parents can visit www.thelearningpartnership.ca/WTK

In March, the federation met with Doug Currie, the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, to discuss the instructional staffing model. The current model, introduced in 2003, determines how teachers (classroom, resource, special education, librarians), school counselors and administrators are allocated to school boards. It is also being used to guide the reallocation of teacher positions due to declining enrollment. A copy of the model can be found on the federation’s website on the “Taking Action” page. The federation believes that teachers are our most important education resource and that the staffing model needs to better reflect the diversity of student needs in the classroom.

The US Department of Health and Human Services has created an online website called BAM! Body and Mind (www.bam.gov) with information to help kids 9-13 years old make healthy lifestyle choices. Parents can use the website to talk with their children about dealing with stress, making healthy food choices, understanding body changes and keeping physically active. There are also a number of interactive, educational activities for teachers to use in the classroom.

The 57th Annual General Meeting of the PEI Home and School Federation will be held on April 17 from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Charlottetown Hotel. All parents from our 49 member schools are welcome to attend the AGM. Local associations are asked to designate five members as their voting delegates. In keeping with the AGM’s Grassroots Education theme, there will be a round table discussion on education issues identified by parents over the past year. These include school development, intensive French, rezoning, school closures, kindergarten, declining enrolments, provincial assessments and school-parent communications. The 2010 annual report along with the resolutions to be discussed and voted on this year can be found on the front page of the federation’s website. It is still not too late to register. Parents can register for the AGM or share their ideas and thoughts about the issues mentioned in this column by calling Shirley Jay at the federation office.

This is my last column as federation president, as my two-year term ends this month. I realize now more than ever that parents through their local home and school associations have significant influence when it comes to public education on PEI. Think about what educational opportunities you want your children to have and then decide if you are willing to get involved to make it a reality.

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March 2010

Written by Bill Whelan, President
Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation

Remember your first junior high school exam? Tests and exams can be stressful. How a child copes with stress can have a direct impact on academic success. Teachers and parents have a shared responsibility to ensure children do well on tests, as tests are the primary means by which student and school performance are measured. Experts offer tips on what parents can do to help their children better prepare for tests. Keep on top of the dates for upcoming tests and learn more about the test format. Talk to your children about the test and reassure them if they are anxious. Help your children develop good study habits, no cramming. Make sure your children get plenty of sleep and a brain boosting breakfast. Review the test results with your children. Good advice.

In February the School Health Action Planning and Evaluation System (SHAPES) survey results were released. Information on the mental fitness, physical activity and eating habits of students in grades 5-12 was collected. On the topic of a brain boosting breakfast, 61 percent of boys and 52 percent of girls reported eating breakfast every day in a usual school week. The government also announced $50,000 in funding that schools can apply for to implement, improve, or further evaluate one or more of the health behaviours studied.

Parents are encouraged to inquire at the school to see if their child’s school participated. Principals have a summary report for their school. Provincial average results are also available on the department of education website. Parents may want to consider partnering with the school by combining the SHAPES grant with the federation’s parent engagement opportunity fund (PEOF) grant to support health and wellness initiatives at the school.

Several parent groups have already submitted PEOF proposals and have begun work on their projects. Parents are reminded that $350 grants are available per school. Check out the federation’s website for project ideas and for a proposal kit. There is still plenty of time to organize something for this school year. Home and school associations are encouraged submit proposals in the next two weeks.

Also on the topic of health, March is Nutrition month and the PEI Healthy Eating Alliance has launched the Celebrate Island Food Recipe Challenge. School classes or student groups are encouraged to submit original, tasty and healthy recipes made with mostly local food ingredients. The grand prize will be for the class or group to cook their award recipe with PEI’s Food Ambassador, Chef Michael Smith. More information is available on the alliance’s website, www.healthyeatingpei.ca. Parents can also check out www.dietitians.ca for great tips on how to eat and live well.

Dr. Meredith Greene will present a free public presentation on school enrichment and gifted programs in Nova Scotia at the Howard Johnson Dutch Inn, North River room, on Saturday, March 6 from 9:00 am to noon. Dr. Greene is an expert on the social, emotional, and career development of gifted youth.

Local home and school association presidents and representatives on provincial standing committees are asked to submit their annual reports to the federation office by March 8. Also, April 1 is the deadline for parents to register for the federation’s upcoming 2010 annual general meeting to be held at the Charlottetown hotel on April 17.

Finally, the federation met with Eastern School District trustees on February 22 to discuss school rezoning. The federation recommended that rezoning be expanded to include all schools in the board, that a new process be initiated immediately that involves meaningful input from parents, principals and trustees, and that a timeline be set to ensure rezoning recommendations take effect no later than September 2011.

Parents are encouraged to share their ideas and thoughts about the issues mentioned in this column by calling Shirley Jay at the federation office.

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February 2010

Written by Bill Whelan, President
Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation

In February parents of students in grade 4 will receive their child’s test results for the new Primary Math Assessment written in October 2009. This is a great time for parents to talk with their children about the importance of learning math. On the topic of math, a study out of the University of Alberta in 2007 indicated that weak math skills is a primary reason why students are not successful in apprenticeship and technical programs. Strong math skills are essential for success no matter what your child decides to do. It should no longer be acceptable to say “I was never any good at math.” Parents are encouraged to promote a positive attitude towards math.

The federation sent a letter on January 14 to the Eastern School District Board of Trustees, requesting that the board’s ad-hoc committee looking at rezoning be expanded to include the principal and one parent from each of the schools to be rezoned, and that the deadline to draft a rezoning report be extended by two months to March 31.

On January 27, the trustees agreed to slow down the process and provide greater opportunity for parent input on school rezoning. The issue now is whether or not to proceed with rezoning eight Charlottetown elementary schools, Donagh regional and the Morell family of schools, as recommended by the trustees. Parents are also reminded that the School Organizational Plan for the Eastern School District released in January 2009, indicated that Birchwood Intermediate, Stonepark Intermediate, Cardigan Consolidated, Montague Intermediate, Souris Consolidated and Souris Regional needed to be rezoned to improve student programs and services.

The federation’s position is that board-wide rezoning is needed, including a comprehensive transportation review. This was discussed in a meeting with Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Doug Currie at the end of January. The federation plans to meet with the Eastern School District trustees to discuss a new process and timeline for comprehensive board-wide rezoning that will involve meaningful input from parents, teachers, principals and trustees.

In January, the Western School Board released its School Study Committee report on how best to integrate kindergarten into three Summerside elementary schools. It is available on the board’s website. This committee is a great example of how parents, principals, trustees and board staff can work together to deal with important education issues. It is a model for all school boards.

All home and school associations are invited to nominate a member from your Association for two upcoming federation awards. The Volunteer of the Year Award honors an individual who has demonstrated exceptional service to the well-being of children and youth as a home and school volunteer and has made a significant contribution to improving the school environment for children. The Life Membership Award is for outstanding service to the federation. Information on both awards can be found on the federation’s website and the submission deadline is March 12.

Parents are reminded that February 14-20 is National Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week. Check out the federation’s website for some great activity ideas to celebrate the contributions teachers and school staff make on the lives of our children. That week, the federation will also be honoring two outstanding individuals with Extra Mile awards.

Finally, local home and school associations and representatives on Provincial Standing Committees are asked to submit their annual reports to the federation office by March 10.

Parents are encouraged to share their ideas and thoughts about the issues mentioned in this column by calling Shirley Jay at the federation office.

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January 2010

Written by Bill Whelan, President
Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation

The PEI Home and School Federation wishes all Island families a happy and healthy new year. We take this opportunity to thank all parents, educators, administrators and staff for their support of home and school in 2009. It was a remarkable year for education, due in large part to parents who kept the conversation on education at the forefront.

What does the year ahead hold for education? For one thing, the PEI education system needs to become smarter in 2010. I say this with a great deal of respect for the dedicated professionals in public education across PEI. The reality is the system is in rapid transition, with a number of contractions (e.g. school closures), expansions (e.g. kindergarten) and re-organizations (e.g. school rezoning) taking place over a short time period. The challenge is how best to manage these changes.

To the federation, a smarter system is one that minimizes jurisdictional barriers so that educational goals can be more easily achieved. A system that involves parents more in the decision making process. For this to happen parents, principals, school boards and the department of education need to think about new ways to work together. If realized, the education forecast for 2010 and beyond looks promising. The federation believes that a smarter education system will produce better students, better citizens.

Such new partnerships are already well underway. A recent example occurred last month when the department of education asked the federation to organize a parent focus group to review the new report card for the primary math assessment introduced in 2009 and written by students in grade 4. Parents offered a number of recommendations, to help make the reports more understandable by parents, which will be implemented by the department in 2010. Parents should also be aware that they can access sample math assessment tests for grades 4 and 9 on the department of education’s website. Link on “Parents” and look for the “Provincial Assessment Program” link.

Also in December, the Western School Board released the findings of a school study committee established in October to determine how best to introduce kindergarten at Elm Street, Greenfield and Parkside Elementary Schools. The committee, which included parent representatives from the local home and school associations, also recommended changes to French immersion programming at the three schools. This report is available on the board’s website and there will be a public consultation meeting on January 13 at 7 pm at Parkside. Parents are encouraged to attend.

Also on the topic of kindergarten, the Eastern School District has called a special public meeting for January 6 at 7:30 pm at the district office to discuss school rezoning so schools can better accommodate the incoming kindergarten students. Options to be discussed are available on the district’s website. Parents are encouraged to attend.

New Years is also a time when the federation asks local home and school association members to think about resolutions. Parents are reminded that resolutions are the single most important tool that home and school can use to influence decision makers in government and school boards. Parents are encouraged to consider educational issues raised this year that could be turned into recommendations to improve the system for all students. Guidelines on how to write and present a resolution, and examples of previously passed resolutions are available on the federation’s website on the “Taking Action” page. All resolutions must be received in the Federation office by January 30, 2010.

Finally, parents are reminded that the nomination deadline for the federation’s Extra Mile Award is January 22, 2010. Please consider nominating a deserving teacher or staff member who goes the extra mile for students in your local school community. Nomination information is available on the federation’s website.

For more information on this and other items discussed in this article, check out the federation’s website or contact Shirley Jay at the federation office.

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December 2009

Written by Bill Whelan, President
Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation

Each year, school age children spend only about 30% of their waking hours in school. This doesn’t change from the elementary to secondary school years. Even though our kids start to look like grown-ups in secondary school, it doesn’t mean they don’t need help when it comes to schoolwork and education decisions. Experts agree that parents matter when it comes to their children’s education and learning at all grade levels. What are you doing with your 70% ?

According to the Parent Teachers Association (PTA) in the US, to be meaningfully engaged, parents must have access to information and be empowered to use it. To be successful, it is important that this information be put in a form that all parents can understand. The federation also believes this requires a system-wide shift from a "home push" model towards a "school pull" model. This is starting to happen on PEI, one school at a time, but could be accelerated by school boards. Perhaps this is something to discuss at your next home and school gathering.

The Kindergarten Transition Communications Working Group wants to hear from parents about the 2010 kindergarten transition into the schools. The federation would appreciate if local home and school associations would canvas parents in the school to see what questions they might have; anything that relates to kindergarten, no matter how small, is welcome, and the team is committed to finding answers to all questions. Please email your questions to Peter Rukavina, the federation’s representative on the working group at reinvented+kindergarten@gmail.com. More information on kindergarten transition plan can be found at http://bit.ly/pei-kindergarten

In response to requests from parents, the federation has drafted provincial fundraising guidelines. These draft guidelines are designed to establish a process for the generation and distribution of funds raised through initiatives organized by local associations. This month a copy will be sent to home and school associations and school principals for their input.

The federation held two “ideas” workshops in November for the parent engagement opportunity fund. Remember parents can access up to $350 per school this year. Here are a few project ideas to consider: design a home and school website or webpage on your school’s website; partner with other home and schools or parent councils in your community to bring in a curriculum consultant from the Department of Education to discuss homework assistance for parents; or create a parent resource corner in your school library.

Check out the federation’s website for parent “webstories”, that describe school-based activities and events supported by the federation. Projects are organized into categories including literacy, mathematics, health, homework, arts and family/community events. It is a clearinghouse of ideas that can help get more parents involved in your school. Parents can also learn about new ways they can make a difference in their child's life.

As the new year approaches it is a great time for parents to start thinking about home and school resolutions. The federation can help your association draft a resolution requesting actions to be taken by government and school boards. Consider educational issues such as class size, amount of homework and teacher-parent communications. Resolutions can contribute to changes in resources, personnel, school development and culture, and education programs. See “How to write and present a resolution” and other resolution information on the “Taking Action” page on the federation’s website. The deadline for submissions is January 30, 2010.

This is also the time for local associations to consider nominating a teacher or staff member for the federation’s Extra Mile Award. This award recognizes individuals who go the extra mile, over and above the call of duty to have a positive impact on the education of our youth. Two awards are presented annually, one in the Eastern School District and a second in the Western School Board. Nomination information is available on the federation’s website and the deadline is January 22, 2010.

For more information on this and other items discussed in this article, check out the federation’s website or contact Shirley Jay at the federation office.

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November 2009

Written by Bill Whelan, President
Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation

In early October, the federation met with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development to discuss the results of the provincial common assessments. The good news is that 85 % of grade 3 students are reading at grade level. The not so good news is that only about half of grade 6 students are reading at grade level and the average mark on the grade 9 math assessment is 62 %. Why are so many children struggling in school? That is the million-dollar question? And the solution won’t cost a cent. Student performance will improve if parents get more involved. It is time to roll up your sleeves and get down to work. Talk with your children about how things are going at school and with the teacher about how to support your children’s learning at home.

The federation’s Semi Annual meeting on October 14 was well-attended and included a lively 90 minute discussion with parents, Minister Greenan and Deputy Minister Sullivan-Curly on hand washing, school fees, school bus safety, cellphone use in schools, the concept of one English language school board and a high school exam exemption program. The Federation also passed a motion asking the departments of Education and Health, to review the occupational therapy assessment and ongoing support services provided to school aged children.

The 7th Annual Atlantic Caucus of Home and School/School Council Federations meeting took place in St. John’s, Newfoundland, on October 17, 2009. Representatives from the Home and School Federations in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Federation of School Councils in Newfoundland Labrador participated in the meeting. The discussions focused on the use of energy drinks by children and youth, the need for improved parent involvement and the need for consistency in school fees. This high level of regional collaboration and cooperation among parents talking about education builds a better understanding of the many challenges that face children, parents, teachers and administrators in all four Atlantic provinces.

The Western School Board’s Roundtable on Parent Involvement on October 24 was a success with over 40 participants attending. Parents received an update on the PEI Youth Substance Use and Addiction Strategy before breaking up into discussion groups. One group looked at the question of how schools can involve more parents in school development planning. The school development plan is initiated by the principal and runs on a three-year cycle. As part of the plan, schools can focus on a couple of key goals for the future such as improving reading comprehension, numeracy and parent involvement. Parents are encouraged to inquire about the priority areas for their school. This is also a great topic for discussion at your next home and school meeting.

The federation is organizing information sessions on “how to” submit a proposal to the parent engagement opportunity fund. They will run the week of November 23, in Summerside and Charlottetown. Local home and school associations are also reminded that membership fees are due at the federation office by November 30. Check out the federation’s website for updates and for web-stories on parent engagement activities and events from across the province.

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October 2009

Written by Bill Whelan, President
Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation

What does it take to raise a reader? Experts offer three tips, encourage your children to read anything that interests them, talk with your children about what they are reading and show them that reading is worthwhile and important. It is that simple. Is your child reading at grade level? Do you know?

What about math? The federation recently partnered with the Department of Education to help inform parents of the revised PEI math curriculum for grades 1, 2, 4, 7 and 8. New textbooks and resources were introduced in these grades in September 2009. Revisions for grades 3, 5, 6 and 9 will be rolled out later. The curriculum is designed to help students see math as an everyday skill and to help students link math concepts to everyday life. The federation believes that the success of this curriculum revision will depend on whether or not parents get involved at home. Think math learning opportunity the next time you and your children review the weather forecast, check out sports statistics or bake cookies.

The Western School Board and the federation are co-sponsoring a roundtable on parent involvement at Athena Consolidated School on Saturday October 24 from 9 am to 2 pm. This is the first time the Western School Board and federation have joined forces to bring together parents, students, school staff, trustees and senior management to talk and share ideas. Topics for discussion include transitioning kindergarten into the school system, effective classroom and parent communications, home and school as a partner in school planning and effective reporting on student progress. Parents can register through their school by contacting the principal.

Parents are reminded of the federation’s Semi-Annual provincial meeting on Wednesday, October 14 at Central Queen’s Elementary School, Hunter River, 6 - 9 p.m. The theme this year is Grassroots Education, a back to basics direction for home and school associations, a refocusing on education and learning. The Minister and Deputy Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development will be on hand to answer questions and respond to our 2009 resolutions. Registration information is available on the federation’s website and the deadline is this Friday, October 9.

Over 40 parents gathered in Summerside and Charlottetown in September to participate in leadership workshops to learn how to get the most out of their local home and school associations. Parents walked away with a renewed understanding that fundraising is not what home and school is about. Participants discussed ways to make meetings and activities more interesting and relevant to help boost parent involvement. Parents interested in learning more about home and school can download the workshop slides from the federation’s website.

Finally, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is proposing to revise the senior high school graduation requirements to include a pilot project that would see the number of periods increase from 4 to 5 a day, the number of credits required for graduation increase from 20 to 25 and the number of instruction hours per course decrease from 110 to 92.5 hours. The federation is asking parents for input by October 21.

For more information on this and other items discussed in this article or to register for the semi-annual, check out the federation’s website or contact Shirley Jay at the federation office.

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September 2009

Written by Bill Whelan, President
Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation

Shopping for school supplies, what a great family activity. There is something about a rainbow of duo-tangs that makes my girls giddy. It’s September and I think we can all remember a time in our childhood when the start of a new school year was greeted with both excitement and
apprehension. Now as parents, we experience the same feelings, but for different reasons. Remember that a positive attitude sets the stage for the entire school year. Help your kids say good-bye to summer and hello to a new teacher, classmates and routines, and for many a new school. Get to know your child’s teacher. Get involved in the school. Keep your kids motivated and support them throughout the school year. The federation is calling on all moms and dads to put education first.

This fall the federation is organizing a series of “how to” leadership workshops for parents. Check out the federation’s website for details. Topics will include strategies on how to organize your local home and school association, how to get more parents involved and to partner with
local community organizations. Parents can submit topic ideas by contacting Shirley Jay.

The federation recently received a Community Foundation of PEI grant to support the development of Parent Reading Coach (PRC) programs on PEI. The federation would also like to recognize generous donations from Aliant, Fitzgerald & Snow, Master Packaging and Vector Aerospace totaling over $1700 in support of parent reading coaches. Designed by Tiffany Bastin, a teacher in Oromocto, these programs assist educators to raise literacy levels with the assistance of parent coaches. The parent coaches attend training sessions that address the difference between decoding (being able to read the words) and comprehension (understanding what the text means), how to introduce a book and how to use our school-wide reading strategies with their children. For more information, check out the website virtualcoach.edublogs.org. Local home and school associations are encouraged to discuss this with parents and teachers at their school.

A total of 57 Island schools, over 80 %, participated in the first round of the federation’s parent engagement opportunity fund. This is an overwhelming response. These parent-led, school-partnered projects are examples of how school communities can come together to support
education and learning. A complete list of funded projects will be posted on the federation’s website this month. It is a rich resource for parents, teachers and administrators.

The transition team established by the provincial government to oversee the transition of kindergarten into the school system has home and school representation. The federation is asking parents what they think about the government’s plan for kindergarten. Our role is to support
parent’s interests and ideas to ensure that their values impact the decision making process. Give us a call or email.

Home and School members will have an opportunity to talk with the Minister and Deputy Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development at our Semi-Annual provincial meeting scheduled for Wednesday, October 14 at Central Queen’s Elementary School, Hunter River, 6 - 9 p.m. Resolutions passed at the April 2009 Annual Meeting will be discussed and members are encouraged to raise any other issues.

Parents are encouraged to check out the federation’s website throughout the school year for information on activities and events.

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June 2009

Written by Bill Whelan, President
Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation

With the end of the school year just around the corner, the federation encourages parents to look back on the school year and think about how things went for them and their children. What went well? What are some of the challenges? What are the possible opportunities? The federation would like to hear from parents on this to better inform our provincial board.

At our recent AGM a motion was passed by parents "that the federation continue its dialogue with the Eastern School District around school lockdown procedures to ensure that parents concerns are communicated and acted upon." In response to the school board’s draft lockdown policy, the federation communicated the need to include language on parent’s responsibilities during a lockdown. Also communications to parents should include a letter to parents, a lockdown backgrounder document and a copy of the school lockdown response plan go home to parents and that all this information should be easily visible on the school’s website. For the school board’s response, see the federation website.

On May 22, the federation met with the minister and deputy minister of education. The federation asked the minister to consider a minister’s directive on lockdown communications as a way to work towards a more consistent message to parents. The federation also reiterated our recent resolution on school closures, requesting that the department delay the implementation of school closures by one year. The department responded that this was not possible under the current regulations. Parents interested in the one school board resolution, can view the premier’s response posted on the federation’s website.

Also in May, Shirley Jay and Mait MacIssac facilitated a workshop at UPEI on parent engagement for academic administrators. Principals suggested that they work to develop a model to encourage parents to partner with the school and to establish clear expectations for parents on how they can help support their children. The federation will work with school boards to help get this message out to our local home and school associations.
The federation submitted a position paper to the provincial “Standing Committee on Social Development,” on the issue of banning the sale of energy drinks in the province. The federation’s position is that energy drinks represent an unacceptable threat to learning and to the health of Island children, and should be banned. Our complete submission is available on our website. A second round of public consultation on this important issue is now underway with a submission deadline of June 30.

The Comprehensive School Health Research Group at UPEI, in partnership with the PEI Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and the University of Waterloo, has received approval for grade 7 and 9 classes to participate in the School Health Action Planning and Evaluation System /Youth Smoking Survey. The PEI project aims to establish a local comprehensive system to measure school health that provides student and school level health information. The project obtains information on tobacco use, physical activity, healthy eating, and mental fitness. The information provided by students may be used by schools and health officials to plan programs and interventions, and to provide information on effective health policies. The federation is now working with SHAPES to help get the word out to parents. For more information, visit www.upei.ca/cshr/html/shapes_yss-pei.html.

The federation will present two School Board Driver Awards in June, one to a bus driver in the Eastern School District and a second one in the Western School Board. An auction will be held on June 5 at Prince Street’s "Spring Fling." They have on a new online bidding feature this year at: http://princestreetschool.ca/. If your Home and School Association is interested in doing something similar, please contact Peter Rukavina.

As this is the last news column of the school year, the federation wishes everyone a happy and safe summer. Parents are also reminded that the summer period is a great opportunity to continue to support your children’s learning. Check out the family education network’s website for fun summer activities.
http://school.familyeducation.com/summer/family-learning/36089.html

Looking to the fall, I believe it was education researcher, Debbie Pushor, from the University of Saskatchewan who suggested that parents could write a letter to their child’s teacher at the beginning of the year, offering some insight into their child’s likes and dislikes, and what information they feel is important for the teacher to know about their child. Something to think about over the summer.

Parents are encouraged to share their ideas and thoughts about the issues mentioned in this column by calling Shirley Jay at the federation office.

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May 2009

Written by Bill Whelan, President
Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation

The Federation recently held successful leadership sessions in Summerside and Charlottetown for members of local home and school associations. The focus of the sessions was the new $25,000 Parent Engagement Opportunity Fund launched by the federation in February. Grants of up to $350 are available to all schools in the province’s three school boards to help fund events, projects or training in support of parent engagement. For more information on the fund or to download an application kit, please see the federation website.

All Home and School Associations are invited to nominate a member from your Association for two upcoming Federation awards. The Volunteer of the Year Award honors an individual who has demonstrated exceptional service to the well-being of children and youth as a Home and School volunteer and has made a significant contribution to improving the school environment for children. The Life Membership Award is for outstanding service to the Federation. Information on both awards can be found on the Federation’s website and the submission deadline is March 13.

In February, Anne Farrell-Gaudet from Parkside Elementary and Susan Keizer from Tracadie Cross Consolidated received 2009 Extra Mile Awards from the Federation. Letters of support written by their students were read during the school receptions and there wasn’t a dry eye in the gym. Simply put, PEI has great teachers.

The Federation’s Annual General Meeting will be held at the Rodd Charlottetown Hotel on Saturday April 18, from 8:30 am – 2:30 pm. The theme of this 56th annual AGM is Conversations on Education. It will feature a presentation by Tiffany Bastin, Literacy Specialist, on the successful Parent Reading Coach program developed in Oromocto, NB. This program was designed for parents to assist teachers in raising student literacy levels. The parent coaches attend training sessions that address the difference between being able to read the words and understanding what the text means, how to introduce a book and how to use school-wide reading strategies with their children. Following the training, each coach agrees to volunteer at least one hour a month in the school. Valerie Delory, a parent reading coach from Oromocto will also share her experiences.

Also at the AGM, a number of important resolutions brought forth by local associations will be considered. All resolutions will be sent to local associations in the next week and parents are encouraged to discuss the resolutions in advance of the AGM.

The latest results of the Pan-Canadian Assessment Program again reveal a literacy gap between boys and girls. While 88% of Canadian 13-year-olds read at or above the expected level of proficiency, girls continue to outscore boys. The report highlights differences in reading preferences, attitudes and behaviours between girls and boys. In response to the persistent literacy gap, experts are developing innovative ways to encourage boys to read more. For more information on these results and on a recent survey on Canadian attitudes towards learning, parents are encouraged to visit the Canadian Council on Learning at www.ccl-cca.ca.

Finally, local home and school associations and representatives on Provincial Standing Committees are reminded that their annual reports are due to the federation office by March 9. Parents are encouraged to share their ideas and thoughts about the issues mentioned in this column by calling Shirley Jay at the federation office.

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April 2009

Written by Bill Whelan, President
Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation

It is important for parents to know that the federation is neither for nor against school closures. Our mission is to ensure that every child in the province receives the same, high quality education. After listening to presentations at the Eastern School District’s school organization plan meetings, it is clear to the federation that system-wide changes in education are necessary. One observation is that the public consultation model is deficit in its approach, in that parents have played no part in framing the key questions around school closures. The federation would prefer a public engagement model, which gives parents a more active, participatory role. Parents should have confidence that their ideas and values will have an impact on the decision making process. The Federation has requested an opportunity to make a presentation to the board of trustees on April 21. Local associations are encouraged to contact Shirley Jay prior to the 21st to have their input on what the federation’s key messages should be in the presentation to the trustees.

In March, the Department of Education & Early Childhood Development and the federation organized a parent focus group to review the provincial common assessment reports that are sent home to parents. Parents found that the “check box” format for the grade 3 and 6 assessment reports (i.e. Experiencing Success, Approaching Success, Experiencing Difficulty) was not informative. Parents recommended that the report card be revised to include a percentage score (if available) for their child, the provincial average score, information on the format of the test, and guidance on who to speak with if they have concerns about their child’s performance. These recommendations will be implemented by the Department this year.

Every year the federation is invited to provide home and school parent representatives for Department of Education Standing Committees. This is a great opportunity for parents to find out more about PEI’s education system and to have direct input on issues relating to children’s learning and well-being. Keep an eye out for the call for participation. The current Home and School representatives are Sue Pettit (Elementary Schools), Laura Bowness (Elementary Health), Mary Lou Griffin-Jenkins (Intermediate Schools), Anna MacDonald (Senior High Schools), Shirley Jay (Computers For Schools/Libraries), Kelly Gillis (Special Education) and Tim Wartman (Minister’s Advisory Committee on Computer and Information Technology). The yearly committee reports will be posted on the federation’s website on April 20. The federation thanks all members who are volunteering to be the voice of parents on these committees.

The federation is pleased to report that a total of 704 parent engagement surveys were completed representing 1,234 school-aged children. Interestingly, on the question of involvement in school activities, 89 % of parents indicated they had attended activities at the school while only 53 % volunteered to help out with these activities. The complete survey results will be published on the federation’s website in April.

Parent are reminded that submissions to the Parent Engagement Opportunity Fund will be accepted until mid-June 2009, with projects to be completed by August 31. In March, the federation organized two well-attended workshops facilitated by Mait MacIssac and Sandy Rendall from Learning and Reading Partners, in Summerside and Charlottetown to discuss the application process and project ideas. Application kits are available on the federation’s website.

The AGM is Saturday, April 18 from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm April 6th is the deadline to register.

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March 2009

Written by Bill Whelan, President
Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation

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February 2009

Written by Bill Whelan, President
Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation

What does it take to bring an entire community together to talk about education? In 2005 it was the Task Force on Student Achievement. School gymnasiums and cafeterias were filled with parents speaking passionately about their child’s school and teachers. That province-wide conversation led to 48 recommendations for improvements in education, many of which have been acted on. The task force recommended then that government’s policy not to close schools be revoked, and that school boards should study and respond to the changing demographics so that education programs can be enhanced.

In January, the school boards responded with the release of the school organization plans. Once again education is being discussed in communities across PEI. This is a good thing. The Western School Board’s immediate focus is on the challenges of integrating kindergarten into the school system. The Eastern School District completed a detailed analysis this year and presented compelling arguments for closing 11 schools. However, closing these schools will not solve the problem.

Education is not about buildings. It is about people. PEI needs to create sustainable learning environments capable of providing a high quality education for all Island students. Anything less will result in the status quo, a system of have and have not schools. To be successful, these learning environments need to extend beyond the schools into communities and homes, with active parent participation.

Parents are encouraged to discuss the organizational plan for their area with their local home and school association or regional director. See the federation’s website for contact information. This is not a time for emotion, although it is understandable. This is a time for evidence, ideas and long-term strategies. The federation believes that parents are the solution to the education crunch. It is time for parents to get into the driver’s seat.

The federation’s role over the next 90 days is to support local associations by providing guidance and advice in organizing parent meetings and putting together presentations to the school board. Parents can call Shirley Jay for help. The federation also requested that trustees be allowed to attend parent meetings on school closures as observers.

In January, the department of education and early childhood development asked the federation for input in developing new report cards for the provincial common assessment tests. The federation would like to hear from parents of children who have written common assessments. Did you understand the results? What information do you want to receive in the report?

Parent Engagement Opportunity grants of up to $350 are now available to schools in the province’s three school boards to help fund events, projects or training in support of parent engagement. For more information or to get an application form, please contact the federation office.

Parents are reminded that February 8-14 is National Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week. Check out the federation’s website for some great activity ideas to celebrate the contributions teachers and school staff make on the lives of our children. That week, the federation will also be honoring two outstanding individuals with Extra Mile Awards.

Finally, local home and school associations and representatives on Provincial Standing Committees are asked to submit their annual reports to the federation office by March 4. Parents are encouraged to share their ideas and thoughts about the issues mentioned in this column by calling Shirley Jay at the federation office.

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January 2009

Written by Bill Whelan, President
Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation

New Years is a great time for parents to teach their children about how to set personal goals and attain them. For parents, teachers, school boards and our elected officials, it is also an opportunity to consider some key questions about public education in PEI. What do Islanders expect of their schools? How can schools respond to the needs of communities? How can school boards deal with the issue of equity around access to education programming? Islanders will hear more on this from the Eastern School District this week with the release of the proposed school organization plan. The proposed plan for the Western School Board will be presented later in the month.

These plans are blueprints for the future of public education on PEI and may involve changes in school location and utilization, school enrolment, grade levels offered, program delivery and transportation of students. Parents are encouraged to review the plan for their board (linkable from the federation’s website) and discuss with other parents in their family of schools. Also keep an eye out for announcements about public meetings and information sessions that will be organized by the boards.

New Years is also a time to think about resolutions, but of a different kind. The federation works to ensure the highest standards of education for every student in the province and does so by considering resolutions. They are the single most important tool that home and school can use to influence decision makers in government and school boards. Any member of a local home and school association can submit a resolution. Resolutions are discussed at our annual general meeting in April and if passed, they are delivered to the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, and the school boards for action. Parents should remember that these resolutions become part of the federation’s ongoing dialogue with the minister, superintendents, principals and trustees, and they are taken very seriously.

All resolutions must be received in the Federation office by January 30, 2009. Resolution guidelines are available on our website. So please discuss this with local association members and consider submitting a resolution this year. There are many important issues that parents have raised this year that could be turned into resolutions, such as identifying parents’ roles in the school, improving communication about lockdowns, improving school trustee elections, parental involvement in school development planning, rural public transit, banning of new tobacco products aimed at teenagers, understanding common assessments, equal access to physical activity programs in schools, and more informative report cards. The federation needs to hear from you.

January is also the time for local associations to consider nominating a teacher or staff member for the federation’s Extra Mile Award. This award recognizes individuals who go the extra mile, over and about the call of duty to have a positive impact on the education of our youth. Two awards are presented annually, one in the Eastern School District and a second in the Western School Board. Nomination information is available on the federation’s website and the deadline is January 16,
2009.

Local associations will also be calling on parents to help out with organizing activities for national teacher/staff appreciation week, February 9-14. It is a time to recognize the contributions that teachers and school staff make on the lives of our children. A great time to simply say thank you.

The Media Awareness Network (www.media-awareness.ca) has tips for parents and children on how to recognize on-line marketing ploys that ask for personal information on websites aimed at children. Check out the Three CyberPigs!

Finally, this month the federation will launch the Parent Engagement Opportunity Fund. Grants of up to $350 will be available to schools in the province’s three school boards to help fund events, projects or training in support of parent engagement. Submissions will be accepted from school-based parent groups including home and school associations and school councils. More details will be available soon on the federation’s website.

Parents are encouraged to share their ideas and thoughts about the issues mentioned in this column by calling Shirley Jay at the Federation office.

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December 2008

Written by Bill Whelan, President
Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation

How can it be the start of the holiday season, the pumpkins are still on the veranda! They say time flies when you are having fun. Well the fun continues this month for parents, children and teachers across the province as they come together for school concerts, craft fairs, food drives and more, all in celebration of the holiday season. Talk about parent engagement.

Also on this topic, in November the Federation was invited to speak with principals and school trustees from the Western School Board on ways to improve parent involvement in their children’s learning. Principals identified how parents are currently involved in their schools and
suggested ways parents can get more involved this year. It was clear that principals welcome more parent participation. Parents through their local Home and School association are encouraged to continue this conversation with your principal to see what will work in your school.

In late November, the government released the Student Achievement Action Plan, an update on initiatives in schools to improve student achievement. Parents can link to the report from the Federation’s website. Highlights include a new kindergarten curriculum, new literacy coaches and literacy intervention programs, new student and teacher resources, course updates and common assessments, Students Achieve and Tell Them From Me communications tools, career planning programs for students, new EAL/FAL investments, and family and community engagement programs. Check out what is happening at your school.

In response to concerns raised by parents about lockdowns, the Federation asked school boards about how parents are informed and what information they receive. All schools send information home about lockdowns, but the type of communication may vary from school to school, such as through newsletters, notices, school website and parent information sessions. Now that many schools have had their first lockdown drill, the Federation would like to hear from parents about
communications. Is it enough? What additional information do parents need to support their children?

Over 600 parents have completed the Federation’s parent engagement survey. Minister Greenan commended parents and the Federation last Friday for this initiative, saying that the survey “ may well produce the largest amount of rich data we have ever had on parent involvement in learning.” Interim results show that 92% of parents surveyed say they have attended all their children’s parent teacher interviews, yet only 60% say they left the meetings very satisfied. The survey deadline is December 5. Complete results will be available early in 2009. Congratulations to Eileen McQuaid-Costello, Virginia Wickstrom, Kathy Watts and Rose Cormier, winners of the weekly $50 gift certificates.

This holiday season remember that the greatest gift you can give your child is yourself. To steal a line from the government’s Take 30 for the Family campaign, it costs nothing but is worth everything. Check out the Take 30 website www.take30.pe.ca for fun family activities over the
school holiday.

Parents can share their ideas and thoughts about these issues by calling Shirley Jay at the Federation office. For more information on the Federation’s activities and initiatives, check out our website www.edu.pe.ca/peihsf.

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November 2008

Written by Bill Whelan, President
Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation

Think about what could happen if a parent’s knowledge and a teacher’s knowledge about a child’s development and learning could be exchanged throughout the school year and not just at parent-teacher interviews. It comes down to three words, communication, communication, communication. Effective two-way communication between parents and teachers is the key to improving parent engagement.

For this to happen there needs to be an increase in the quantity and quality of parent involvement in the education system. Schools need to identify a diversity of roles for parents as learning partners at home and in the school. In some schools, parents are already helping teachers and their children by being aides, tutors, reading coaches, guest lecturers and chaperones. Parents are encouraged to think about ways to be more involved in the school and discuss this with other parents and with your child’s teacher.

In early October, the federation was invited to meet with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development to discuss the results of the provincial common assessments. What do standardized tests measure? Do the tests improve a student’s motivation or academic performance? Do parents understand the results? How are the results used to improve the education system? Whether you are for or against common assessments, parents are encouraged to ask these questions.

Compared to last year, Grade 3 reading scores are up, Grade 3 writing scores are down and Grade 9 math scores are about the same. One can’t read too much into the numbers from only 2 years of assessment results. It will take a few years to be able to draw firm conclusions? However, the results do indicate that about 30 % of students are not experiencing success. Parents are encouraged to talk with their children about how school is going and with the teacher about how to support their children’s learning at home.

The federation’s Semi Annual on October 15 was well-attended and included a lively 90 minute discussion with parents questioning Minister Greenan and Deputy Minister Sullivan-Curly on school based kindergarten, declining enrolments, school lockdowns, certification standards for school coaches and the allocation of classroom textbooks and learning materials. It was a great example of the strong partnership between Home and School and the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.

During National Bus Safety week, the federation presented Mike Gaudet (Athena Consolidated) and Clifford Affleck (Mount Stewart Consolidated) with School Bus Driver of the Year Awards. At both ceremonies students read their nomination letters. It was obvious that these two men care deeply for the children they are entrusted to care for at the start and at the end of every school day. Press releases are posted on the federation’s website.

On October 25, the Presidents of the Nova Scotia and New Brunswick Federations of Home and School Associations and the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of School Councils were in Charlottetown for the 2008 Atlantic Caucus, hosted by the PEI Home and School Federation.

Highlights of the discussion included the banning of energy drinks, workplace safety for high school students in the community, ways to improve voter turnout for school trustee elections, tax breaks for parent volunteers in the school, opportunities to partner with universities on education research, strategies for parent engagement and improving communications between the school and parents on lockdowns procedures.

As of November 1, over 400 parents have completed our Parent survey. This is a wonderful start, but we still need to hear from more parents. The survey, available on the federation’s website, asks questions about communications, parent-teacher interviews, volunteering, special needs, and instructional time and homework. Congratulations to Monty Hennessey, Paul Chaulk and Cathy Rogers, winners of the weekly $50 gift certificates.

Finally, for some helpful hints on how to spark your children’s interest in reading and improve their literacy skills, parents can check out Reading Rockets (www.readingrockets.org). There are also a number of webcasts available for download featuring one hour discussions on improving reading comprehension, parents as teaching partners and summer reading programs.

For more information on the federation’s activities and initiatives, check out our website at www.edu.pe.ca/peihsf.

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October 2008

Written by Bill Whelan, President
Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the words Home and School? In the 1950’s and 60’s, you would have pictured a parents group advocating for high quality education, pressing school boards for improvements in the curriculum and lobbying the government for increased funding in education. Is this what you were thinking? Likely not, because somewhere along the way the perception of Home and School has changed.

The federation’s challenge today is to show Islanders that Home and School has relevance and our focus is on education. This is our top priority for the coming year. As parents we need to return to our original roots as education partners in the school and in the community. Research shows that when it comes to education, parents matter. Children whose parents are involved in the school perform better and have higher career and education goals.

By being involved in Home and School, you can learn more about what is happening in your child’s school. You can raise issues that are important to you with other parents and the principal. Many of these issues become resolutions that are discussed at our annual general meeting and if passed, they are delivered to the Minister of Education and the School Boards, and are acted upon. We need to hear from you.

Working with Vicki Bryanton of Organizational Planning and Special Projects Management, the federation launched an on-line survey for parents this week on our website. Paper copies are also available at all schools in the Eastern and Western School Boards. The survey is designed to identify how parents are involved in their children’s learning and what barriers parents may face at home and in the school. Please take time to complete the survey because your opinion matters to Home and School. The survey results will be released to the public and presented to the school boards.

The government announced the School Action for Emergencies (SAFE) Program, a national emergency response program developed by the RCMP. The SAFE plan will allow police and emergency services to respond quickly to a threat or violent incident in or near the school. With SAFE, the school boards will be running school lockdown drills in the coming months. Local associations are encouraged to work with teachers and the school to ensure that parents are informed about lockdown procedures and that children, especially young children, are supported before and after drills. As a parent you need to know what to do and what not to do should a lockdown occur.

Finally, a reminder of the federation’s semi-annual meeting on October 15 at Central Queens Elementary which includes a discussion with Minister Greenan and Deputy Minister Curley. For more information on the SAFE Program, our parents survey, our semi-annual meeting or how to write a resolution, please contact the federation office or visit our website.

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September 2008

Written by Bill Whelan, President
Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation

The excitement that comes with the start of a new school year never seems to go away, even for those who are no longer in school. It all starts tomorrow and like any new year, it is a good time to think about a set of resolutions. As a father of two daughters, keeping up with what is happening at school, both in and out of the classroom, will be a priority. Remembering friend’s names, dates for school activities and homework assignments are challenging, but it is important to remember that school is central to a child’s life. Parents start off with the best of intentions, but this initial enthusiasm can diminish as the stresses of life and work get in the way. This year, let’s not let this happen. Be an active participant, an “in the know” parent. The federation and local Home and School associations across the province are gearing up for another year of activities and initiatives in support of children and schools on Prince Edward Island. Parents who are interested in being more involved are encouraged to check out your local Home and School Association. Information may be available on the school website. Remember, there are many ways to participate in Home and School other than attending a meeting. If there is no association in your school, think about starting one up.

Things get rolling in mid September with the launch of the new federation website. Our web expert Randy Ostridge from Digital Wanderer Media has put together an engaging and informative design. It will be a go to resource site for parents, including details of Home and School initiatives, tips on homework, preparing for parent teacher interviews and other topics to help parents support their children’s learning. September is also the time when Home and School members have a chance to say thank you to our dedicated school bus drivers by nominating them for the federation’s annual Bus Driver Award. School bus drivers have the responsibility of caring for the well being of our children each day. This award honours a bus driver in the Prince Edward Island school system for outstanding service in keeping children safe as they travel to and from school. Nominations are due on September 19, and the award will be presented during National School Bus Safety Week, October 19-25.

Home and School members will also have an opportunity to talk with the Minister and Deputy Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development at our Semi-Annual provincial meeting scheduled for Wednesday, October 15 at Central Queen’s Elementary School, Hunter River, 6 - 9 p.m. Resolutions passed at the April 2008 Annual Meeting will be discussed and members are encouraged to raise any other issues of concern. Following an online survey and consultations including with the federation, the government announced in July details of its plan to phase in the change to the age of entry for kindergarten and grade one over a two-year period, starting in September 2009. By September 2010, the cutoff date for both kindergarten and grade one entry will be December 31. The federation supported the two-year phase in over the three-year option.

Last week the government released the long awaited School Enrolment Study (available online at www.gov.pe.ca/educ/). Over three-quarters of the schools on PEI reported a decline in enrolment in the past 5 years, and this trend is predicted to continue. It is clear from the report that change is inevitable. The report offers nine guiding principles by which school boards will plan for this change. Parents are encouraged to contact your school trustee and make sure your opinion is heard. The federation would also like to hear from local associations on this.

If you have any comments about the Enrolment Study, or if you would like more information on how to nominate a bus driver or contact a Home and School association in your community, please contact the federation office.

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June 2008

Written by Bill Whelan, President
Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation

May was another busy month for Home and School with the school trustee campaign and elections. Local associations across the province organized “meet the candidates nights” in the zones where elections were held and helped the candidates get their message out. Thank you to the candidates for running and to the Islanders who took the time to show their support for education by voting. The federation heard during the election that many Islanders are still unclear about the roles and responsibilities of school board trustees. Here is an opportunity for the new school boards to improve communication between trustees and parents, which will go a long way to strengthening the connection between home and school.

The importance of this connection was echoed by Dr. Linda Phillips, Director of the Canadian Centre for Research Literacy at the University of Alberta in her presentation to the PEI Literacy Alliance on May 16. Dr. Phillips reported that 75% of surveyed parents in Alberta didn’t know how the school was teaching their children how to read and write. Her research indicates children in schools that include parents in early literacy programs have greater success.

The Department of Education is currently reviewing the Instructional Staffing Model for the elementary and intermediate school levels. Parents, through the local home and school associations, were invited to provide input. Responses focused on the need to reduce class size, especially in grades 1-3, to provide additional teacher resources for English as an Additional Language (EAL) students and to provide adequate guidance counseling services. The federation forwarded comments to the department and look forward to hearing back on the outcome of the review.

In response to one of the Task Force on Student Achievement recommendations, the Department of Education established a Senior High School Model Committee. This committee has tabled a number of proposals including the use of flexible scheduling, enhanced student/teacher mentoring opportunities and community-based learning activities. Home and School Associations are invited to provide input on the model by Friday, June 13. For more details contact Shirley Jay.

Once again the government is looking to move the age of school entry. Children would now have to be six by December 31 to start grade 1. Are children better off if they start school at an earlier or later age? This question has been the subject of extensive research for decades, and there appears to be no clear consensus. The important issue here is that parents are consulted and informed of any changes in a timely manner so that they can make appropriate decisions for their children.

Also in May, Belfast Consolidated and Prince Street Elementary received the good news that their schools were awarded grants from the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation to purchase new library resources. Program information is available at www.loveofreading.org.

On average, a child spends more than 120 hours a week at home and less than 40 hours at school. Now as the summer season is here parents will be spending more time with their children. Your home is a learning environment that complements the classroom and summer is a great time to continue that learning. Research shows that reading just six books during the summer may keep a struggling reader from regressing. The following website provides information about summer reading plus you'll discover great activities to encourage kids to learn, read, and have fun in the summer sun. www.readingrockets.org/calendar/summer

This theme of parental engagement is also central to the provincial government’s new Take 30 for the Family campaign. This initiative provides parents with easy tips on how to turn everyday fun family activities into learning and teaching opportunities. Going to the grocery store with your kids will never be the same. Check out their website at www.take30.pe.ca.

If you have any comments about the recent school trustee elections, or if you would like a copy of Dr. Phillip’s presentation, please contact the Federation office. Have a great summer!

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May 2008

Written by Bill Whelan, President
Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation

TITLE: AGM features panel discussion, resolutions, new board members and a new president Bill Whelan begins a two-year term as president of the P.E.I. Home and School Federation

April is always an exciting month for the Federation as Home and School parents from across the province, along with special guests gather together for our Annual General Meeting (AGM), this year held on April 12.

The theme of the AGM was “Putting our Children First” which featured a panel discussion on health, learning and safety in our schools with presentations by Jo-Anne Wallace (Coordinator, Provincial Coaching Western Region), Sandy MacDonald (Superintendent, Eastern School Board) and Anna MacDonald (Board Member, PEIHSF).

The topics ranged from coaching standards to provincial assessments to Internet safety, stimulating a wide-range of questions and a thoughtful discussion. All delegates received an excellent resource CD on Internet safety called Parenting the Net Generation.

The AGM saw a number of important resolutions brought forth and discussed. Delegates emphasized the need to develop mandatory standards for the training and certification of volunteer and teacher coaches in our schools to ensure the safe and healthy development of children. The safety and emotional well being of our children was also central to a resolution to work with police and school boards to help develop and implement new school lockdown procedures.

Delegates emphasized the need to develop criteria for changing enrolments on PEI that places top priority on learning. Strong support was also given to a resolution calling on the Department of Education to invest additional bridging resources in teaching to meet the needs arising from the change in age of school entry. Resolutions will be presented to the Hon. Gerard Greenan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development this month. Now is a great time to start thinking about resolutions for next year.

At the AGM we also celebrated the 55th anniversary of the Federation by honoring our Past-Presidents. It was an opportunity to look back on our history and reflect on how parents through Home and School Associations have worked to bring about improvements in the public education system on PEI. The Past-Presidents reminded us that the Home and School Federation has a strong history of leadership in education, supporting Island children, parents and teachers.

It all started in 1893 when a group of Acadian parents and teachers in Egmont Bay formed the first home and school type organization in Canada. There is a history lesson here in that as parents we need to get back to our original roots as learning and teaching partners in our children’s education. Remember that you can make a difference!

Parents also need to remember that we live in province where the federation has a strong working relationship with the minister of education and early childhood development, which is unique in Canada. Both Greenan and deputy minister Shauna Sullivan-Curley attended the AGM luncheon.

The Federation also welcomed new board members: Nicolle Morrissey and Kelly Gillis (Region 1), and Neila Auld (Region 3). Thanks were extended to the Board members completing their terms, Lisa MacDougall (Region 1), Scott Lundrigan (Region 2), Ruth Morrison (Region 3), Stephen Cousins (Regions 4) and Past President Martha Ellis.

Hesta MacDonald, a PEIHSF president (1965 -67) was awarded a life membership in the federation for her years of service and for compiling a book of the history of the PEIHSF covering 1953-1973. Rhoda Speare received the Volunteer of the Year Award, acknowledging her contributions over the years to West Kent Home and School Association.

The recent throne speech informed us that kindergarten will be brought into the provincial public school system and will now be under the jurisdiction of the new Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. The federation has supported full-day public school-based kindergarten for over 20 years and this support was reaffirmed in a resolution at the AGM. Everyone now looks forward to working with the provincial government over the next several months to ensure that the voice of parents is well represented in the development of the new kindergarten structure and curriculum.

Anyone who is interested in helping to strengthen the voice of parents in education should consider running for election as a school trustee. The deadline for nominations is fast approaching (Friday, May 9) and the election will be held on May 26. The Federation will be working with the local associations to organize meet the candidates events. So look for these events in Island communities and be sure to get out to vote.

As this is my first column as the new President of the federation, I have to say a big thank you to past-president Wendy MacDonald. Her leadership and vision has strengthened the federation and has opened the door to exciting new partnerships with government and community groups including the Parental Engagement Initiative currently underway in Island schools.

I look forward to working with her, as well as with executive director Shirley Jay, the board and local associations in support of children and schools. Please feel free to contact the provincial office to find out more about activities and projects currently underway in Island community or if interested in getting a copy of Parenting the Net Generation.

Bill Whelan was installed as president of the Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation for two-year term on April 12. He welcomes comments from Islanders about his column, which appears in The Guardian the first Wednesday of the month during the school year. For more information, contact 620-3186, 1-800-916-0664 or peihsf@edu.pe.ca.