Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation: Press Releases 2008

Press Releases 2008

MOUNT STEWART CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL BUS DRIVER
RECEIVES HOME AND SCHOOL FEDERATION AWARD FOR
EASTERN SCHOOL DISTRICT

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE, --October 22, 2008-------------On October 21, 2008, the Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation presented a School Bus Driver Award to Clifford Affleck, bus driver for Mt. Stewart Consolidated School. Clifford was selected as the Eastern School District recipient for outstanding service in keeping children safe as they travel to and from school each day – driving capably and professionally, teaching students about safety, managing behaviour, and caring for the well-being of every child, every day of the school year.

“I think Clifford is the best because he is a wise guy getting us to school and from school safely.” says one student from Mt. Stewart Consolidated. “He always makes the trips fun. Clifford is one of the reasons I like going to school.”

Juanita Hughes, parent commented, “I was in grade one the very first year that Clifford drove the bus and my son boarded Clifford’s bus for kindergarten in September of this year. The safety of each and every child is his top priority. He ensures each child knows the rules and the children, in turn, are very respectful of those rules and Clifford!”

“Bus drivers are the first school employees our children see each day, and the last at the end of the day. Many children spend hours every week on the bus, and the quality of that experience makes a big difference to their lives,” says Bill Whelan, President, Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation. “We are delighted to recognize Clifford Affleck as our Eastern School District School Bus Driver of the Year.”

MIKE GAUDET OF ATHENA CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL RECEIVES HOME AND SCHOOL FEDERATION BUS DRIVER AWARD

SUMMERSIDE, PE. --- October 20, 2008 -------------On October 20, 2008, the Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation presented a Bus Driver Award to Mike Gaudet, bus driver for Athena Consolidated School. The 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 each day - driving capably and professionally, teaching students about safety, managing behaviour, and caring for the well-being of every child, every day.

Students comment on why they wanted to nominate Mike.... “ I nominate Mike G. for School Bus Driver. He should get the year around (award) because he always comes with a smile on his face.” “He keeps everyone safe when they are on the bus.....the bus he drives is pretty much always clean. ....because he is funny and he is a safe bus driver in the winter, fall, spring, and summer and he gets us to school on time. Mike is a good bus driver because he takes care of us and he doesn’t yell at us, and at the start of the year he tells us all the safety rules. He also said if the bus caught on fire you could go out the window or go out the door at the back of the bus.”

“Bus drivers are the first school employees our children see each day, and the last at the end of the day. Many children spend hours every week on the bus, and the quality of that experience makes a big difference to their lives,” says Bill Whelan, President, PEI Home and School Federation. “We are delighted to recognize Mike Gaudet as our School Bus Driver of the Year in the Western School Board.”

HOME AND SCHOOL FEDERATION LAUNCHES INITIATIVES TO INCREASE PARENT INVOLVEMENT IN THEIR CHLDREN'S LEARNING

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE, -- October 16, 2008 -----------Parents, students and educators gathered at Sherwood Elementary School today to launch several new Home and School initiatives that will help parents to become more active partners in their children’s learning.

Bill Whelan, president of the P.E.I. Home and School Federation, provided a progress update on the Federation’s three-part strategy to identify parent needs, increase access to parent information, and develop school-based initiatives that help parents become more involved in schools and learning.

“Research tells us that when it comes to education, parents matter,” says Whelan. “Children whose parents are actively involved in their learning perform better in school and they have higher education and career goals. Schools that encourage parents to be partners in their children’s learning are able to offer healthier school environments.”

The Federation encourages parents to visit the new Home and School web site at www.edu.pe.ca/peihsf. The site contains helpful information such as homework tips, how to prepare for parent-teacher interviews and how to support the development of literacy and numeracy skills. There is a section on education initiatives and events in local school communities. The site also includes information on advocacy efforts such as Home and School resolutions and position papers.

All parents of school-aged children are encouraged to visit the site and complete the Federation’s new online parent survey which includes questions on communications, parent-teacher meetings, volunteering, special needs, use of instructional time and homework. The survey results will identify how parents are involved in learning and what barriers they face at home and in the school. Print copies of the survey are also available in schools.

Mr. Whelan outlined steps taken recently by the Federation and school principals to increase parent involvement in six key areas. These included training parents to become effective school volunteers, introducing newcomer parents to schools, helping parents to understand curricula, increasing father engagement in reading development, engaging parents in family math activities, and providing professional development opportunities for parents to support learning.

Projects were developed in the six areas. Pilot projects are now underway at 12 schools to test their effectiveness. The results of the projects will be shared with all schools and new projects will be supported as part of the second phase of the strategy.

Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Gerard Greenan commended the members of the Federation and thanked them for their excellent work. “Parents know their children best and they have more influence on their learning than anyone else. The extent to which learning is valued and supported at home has a huge influence on a student’s success throughout the school years,” he said. “We are pleased to offer Home and School our continued support because they are very knowledgeable and committed parents who know what works best to increase parent involvement in their own schools.”

For more information on parent involvement initiatives or the PEI Home and School Federation, visit www.edu.pe,ca/peihsf or contact Shirley Jay at 902 368 6186.

SYLVIA HENDERSON OF STONEPARK INTERMEDIATE
SCHOOL RECEIVES EXTRA MILE AWARD

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE, -- February 15, 2008 -------------On February 15, 2008 the Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation presented an "Extra Mile Award" to Sylvia Henderson, teacher, Stonepark Intermediate School, Charlottetown. The award honours a teacher or staff person in the school system who exemplifies going the "extra mile" for students to achieve both academically and socially in their young lives.

Extra Mile Award The presentation was made by Wendy MacDonald, President PEI Home and School Federation at Stonepark Intermediate School, Charlottetown. Teachers and staff of Stonepark were joined by BJ Willis of the Eastern School District in this special recognition event for Ms. Henderson.

One of Sylvia’s greatest attributes is her ability to establish and nurture relationships with those with whom she works. Not only does she create special connections with her students, but her warmth, concern, compassion, and sense of genuine caring are also extended to teachers and EA’s, parents, administration, and Eastern School District (ESD) Staff. Because of Sylvia’s work in developing these relationships, those who have come to know her trust her implicitly, recognize her wisdom, and have come to rely on her suggestions and recommendations when it comes to educational matters. She truly understands the big picture when it comes to the impact of various issues on our school, and for education in general.

"We are pleased to recognize Ms. Henderson with our 2008 Extra Mile Award," says Wendy MacDonald, President, PEI Home and School Federation. "Mrs. Henderson is highly regarded by students, parents and staff members at Stonepark Intermediate. She has gone above and beyond the call of duty having a huge positive impact on students in this school.".

BONNIE ROGERSON OF KINKORA HIGH
SCHOOL RECEIVES EXTRA MILE AWARD

KINKORA, PE, -- February 14, 2008 -------------The Price Edward Island Home and School Federation’s Extra Mile Award was presented to Bonnie Rogerson, teacher, at Kinkora High School. February 14, 2008. The award honours a teacher or staff person in the school system who exemplifies going the 'extra mile' for students to achieve both academically and socially in their young lives.

The presentation was made by Wendy MacDonald, President of the PEI Home and School Federation, at Kinkora High School. Brenda Millar of the Western School District, and former principal of Kinkora High School, participated in this special recognition event along with teachers and staff of the school.

One of Bonnie’s students said, "Her classes are full of up-to-date agricultural issues. She provides us with information that makes us aware of not just our region, but the entire world and how it affects us. Ms Rogerson has been one of the best teachers I have ever had. She has provided me with the knowledge to go to the next level."

"Teachers and staff have a huge impact on our children’s lives, and deserve our appreciation and recognition," says Wendy MacDonald. "We are delighted to recognize Ms Rogerson for our 2008 Extra Mile Award in the Western School Board."

HOME AND SCHOOL CELEBRATES 21^st NATIONAL
TEACHER AND STAFF/APPRECIATION WEEK

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE, -- February 2008 -----------The theme of the 21st National Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week, February 10-16, 2008, is Teach/Learn - referring to the partnerships in learning, knowledge and understanding between teachers, staff, parents, students, and community. The theme exemplifies the relationship between partners at the grassroots level of the school and its community and showcases how they can all teach and learn from each other.

For the past twenty years, the Canadian Home and School Federation has sponsored Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week to encourage parents and communities throughout Canada to recognize the important personal and professional contributions of teachers and school staff to children's lives and education.

Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week offers community members the opportunity to participate in nationwide demonstrations of support for Canadian schools, their teachers and their staff. This week acknowledges the essential role of support staff including school secretaries, nurses, teacher assistants, guidance counsellors, cooks, custodians and bus drivers in creating positive learning environments and excellence in education across Canada.

Wendy MacDonald, President of the Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation, is pleased to announce that the Federation’s Extra Mile Awards will be presented during Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week. "This is our way of recognizing teachers and staff members who have gone the extra mile in providing a positive learning environment for our children and youth in Island schools," says Ms MacDonald. Two Extra Mile Awards will be presented during Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week in the Western and Eastern School Boards.

For more information on Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week, go to the website www.teacherstaffappreciation.com, or contact the PEI Home and School Federation office 620-3186 or 1-800-916-0664.