Posts by Shirley Smedley-Jay
Bullying in schools is a community failure
All over the world, the care and comfort of strangers is not an afterthought but an expectation. In ancient Greece and even to this day, the practice of ‘xenia’ means if a stranger knocked at your door, your duty was to offer food, shelter, and protection before you even asked their name. Turning them away…
Read More🍎 AGM & Conference 2026 Registration is OPEN
PEI Home and School Federation Newsletter, March 2026 🍎 AGM & Conference 2006 Registration is OPEN PEI Home and School Federation 73rd AGM Theme: “Stop Bullying. Start Belonging.” Saturday, April 18, 2026, Rodd Charlottetown Hotel, 75 Kent St., Charlottetown Keynote: Alain Pelletier, “5 Faces of Bullying” Workshops: RCMP Child Exploitation Unit, Cst. Robert Yaschuk…
Read MoreHome and School Federation’s democratic moment
In Island schools this spring, change is arriving on our lunch trays as well as in our classrooms. At the Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation, March and April are about nourishing students’ bodies, minds, and sense of belonging—with healthy food, safer school cultures, and celebrations of the people who make that possible. PEI’s…
Read MoreCELEBRATE LOVE GROUNDED IN DIGNITY AND NON-VIOLENCE
February is the month we devote to love. We hang “Be Kind” posters in school hallways, remind teenagers about consent and healthy relationships, and get ready for Pink Shirt Day with its message about standing up to bullying. Yet, with all this talk about love and respect, Canada’s Criminal Code still allows adults to hit…
Read MoreHelp make resolutions reality: P.E.I. Home and School Federation helps create safe spaces for learning
Every New Year, we make resolutions we hope will change our lives. On Prince Edward Island, there is a quieter kind of resolution that changes children’s lives – resolutions debated and passed each spring at the Home and School Federation’s annual general meeting. These ten resolutions, drafted around kitchen tables and school gyms, have shaped…
Read MoreBullying needs to end on P.E.I. Let’s pledge to build safe, welcoming environments where every child feels valued
No more excuses, no more bystanders! It’s time for Prince Edward Island to stop the bull and confront a hard truth: bullying remains a serious problem in our homes, neighbourhoods, and schools. The latest COMPASS survey shows that 30% of PEI students report being bullied each year. This figure hasn’t budged over the last three…
Read MoreBetter Elections equals stronger communities
Congratulations to all new school board trustees. Your role is vital in maintaining a strong voice for all islanders in shaping education policy, providing accountability, and representing your community. When Islanders last voted for school trustees in 2022, only two percent of eligible voters took part. Early reports from this fall’s vote suggest turnout was…
Read MoreP.E.I. schools and families need open dialogue
Conversations about child protection, abuse, and violence are never easy, but they are necessary. These issues affect every school and community, and the Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation is calling on parents, educators, and community members to come together for open, honest discussions. The Federation’s semi-annual meeting, held Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, from…
Read MoreChild Protection Information Session
Child Protection Information Session REGISTER for Child Protection Speakers Event details What: PEI Home and School Federation Semi-Annual Meeting Date: Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Time: 5:45 – 8:00 PM Where: Central Queens Elementary School, 19821 Rte. 2, Hunter River Speakers: Karen Kibsey, expert/senior Manager from the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, Winnipeg, MB will present…
Read MoreResponsibilites of School Board Trustees
Responsibilities of School Board Trustees in PEI Elected trustees for the Public Schools Branch (PSB) and the Commission scolaire de langue française (CSLF) are responsible for governance and oversight, not daily operations. Their key areas include: Governance & Oversight Approving budgets and financial plans: Trustees review and approve how funds are allocated within the board’s…
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