Details announced for Oct. 8 event: Presentations focus on variety of topics, including e-cigarettes
The P.E.I. Home and School Federation continues to do its’ work of bringing people together around the common vision of an excellent education system, with the education and well-being of each island child at the centre. At the local level, we work to strengthen local home and school associations and support their work in their schools and communities. The federation provides leadership training and helps bring people together around common goals and visions.
The Semi-Annual meeting coming up on Tuesday, October 8, 6 to 8 p.m. at Gulf Shore Elementary School in North Rustico will provide an opportunity to discuss best meetings, current issues, opportunities, share resources, ideas and build connections within the home and school community on P.E.I.
Current vaping information will be presented by Sterling Carruthers, Education’s Health Schools Specialist and Melissa Munro-Bernard, Health and Wellness. Vaping products have now surpassed tobacco as the most commonly used nicotine-containing product by Canadian and PEI youth. As the rates of e-cigarette use by youth on PEI continues to rise, it is important for adults (e.g. parents, teachers, school staff, family members etc.) to educate themselves about what e-cigarettes are, heath harms associated with using them, what is being done to address youth use, and where to access more information.
Other workshop topics will focus on: Sharing ideas through ‘Live Story”, Conducting a Meeting, How to Impact Change in the Education System and Celebrating Everyone. Bring business cards for networking with volunteers and partners in education during the session. Refreshments will be catered locally by Green Isle Catering.
The semi-annual meeting is open to all home and school community members, parents, students, administrators and other school staff members. There is no cost. Bring a food bank donation. Register online at: https://peihsf.ca/2019-semi-annual or 1-800-916-0664 / 902-620-3186 or peihsf@edu.pe.ca
Parent Leadership grants are now available to for amounts up to $1000 per home and school. Associations are invited to organize a parent engagement initiative in your school community. Application guidelines are online at: https://peihsf.ca/grants Robotics Kits are available for loan from the P.E.I. Home and School Federation office. Contact the office to book and arrange for pick up.
Home and school’s September start-up package has been mailed to presidents. Presidents and treasurers are to fill out the contact sheet and membership fee forms and submit to the federation office. Review the awards information and consider nominating worthy individuals in your region.
A healthy school food program for P.E.I. continues to be a priority for the Federation. We will continue to work with the province in the hope that a universal school food program becomes a reality. In terms of federal support for a universal school food program, here’s a time-related chance for individuals to support a petition advocating for a school food question in the federal leader’s debate. Share that a school food program needs to be healthy, universal, cost-shared, flexible, built on what already exists, and guided by national principles; learn about these qualities at: https://www.healthyschoolfood.ca/faq
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Cory Thomas, president of P.E.I. Home and School Federation, lives in Summerside with his wife and two children, who both attend Elm Street Elementary School. His column appears in The Guardian during the school year on the first on the Thursday of the month. He welcomes comments from readers and information from the column. He can be reached at 902-620-3186.