Newsletter, June 2026: COMPASS Results 2025-2026, Heritage Fair Winners, Tips for new executives, School Calendar 2026-27…

Newsletter, June 2026

🍎 COMPASS Results 2025-26
NEW COMPASS survey shows improvements in the health and well-being of Island youth.  https://www.livewellpei.ca/sites/test.livewellpei.ca/files/2026-04/2025-26_Provincial%20Report_ENG_0.pdf

🍎 Heritage Fair Winners
Congratulations to PEI Home and School Federation’s Heritage Fair Specialty Prize Winners.
1.  Liz Lykow, “The History of the Tuplins”, Queen Elizabeth Elementary School
2. Nicky Hansen, “Ledwell Legacy”, Morell Consolidated School
More at: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/news/provincial-heritage-fair-celebrates-student-achievement

🍎 Home & School Executive/Board changes
Do you have executive members who will be transitioning to the next school level with their children? If so, consider establishing a nomination committee and working with your principal to identify and recruit new volunteers for your local Home and School board.
Tip #1:  Executive roles can be structured as co-chair positions to encourage shared leadership, strengthen collaboration, and support continuity.
Tip #2:  Make a point of inviting new families to get involved. Early engagement helps them feel welcomed and fosters a sense of belonging within the school community.

🍎 Home and School Column
Federation president Tom Deelstra writes a monthly column for The Guardian. It is published on the first Saturday of the month during the school year and is available online.  Read the next column on June 6.  News – PEI Home and School Federation (peihsf.ca)

🍎 School Calendar 2026-2027
The first day of school for students for 2026-2027 will be Tuesday, September 8, 2026. 
https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/sites/default/files/84f6/School%20Calendar%202026-27%20%28MD%202026%2001%29%202026%20ENG.pdf

🍎 Post-Annual General Meeting 2026
The post-AGM 2026 summaries are available online at: https://peihsf.ca/agm/ 

🍎 The Walled Garden Education – A Conversation with The Dais at TMU
On best practices, community outreach, and the effects of removing phones from the school day
This discussion was moderated by Dr. Travis Saunders, professor of applied human sciences at the University of PEI and advocate for reducing screen use in classroom settings. Panelists: Matthew Shapiro, Vice Principal at Westmount High School. Montréal, Québec, and Tim Mushumanksi, Principal of Trafalgar Middle School, Nelson, British Columbia. Both Matthew and Tim have been instrumental in advancing successful bell-to-bell phone restrictions in their schools. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXlKVV7439E

🍎 Encouraging summer reading
Keep children and youth of all ages mentally active during the summer by regularly visiting your local library. There are 25 public library locations across Prince Edward Island.
Locations/Hours:  https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/education-and-early-years/public-libraries-locations-and-hours  
Kids: https://peipls.overdrive.com/library/kids
Teens: https://peipls.overdrive.com/library/teens

🍎 PSB Trustees’ Updates:
Westisle Family of Schools (Zone 1):  As the Zone 1 trustee, I want to take this time to congratulate all students who will take part in the Graduation and Closing Ceremonies in June. Take the time to attend one or more of the ceremonies in your communities.
Andrew Avery (andrewavery@edu.pe.ca)
Graduation and Closing Ceremony Dates 2026:
June 22 – Tignish Elementary, 6:00 pm / Hernewood Intermediate, 7:00 pm
June 23 – Alberton Elementary, 4:00 pm / Westisle Composite High, 7:00 pm
June 24 – Ellerslie Elementary, 4:00 pm  / St. Louis Elementary, 4:30 pm /
O’Leary Elementary, 4:30 pm / M.E. Callaghan Intermediate, 7:00 pm
June 25 – Bloomfield Elementary, 6:00 pm

Bluefield Family of Schools, Zone 4:  As the school year end draws near, I want to congratulate students on all their hard work this year. I also want to thank teachers, staff, and volunteers for their dedication and care as they support our students every day. I hope everyone enjoys a well-deserved break this summer. Take care, Karen (kclare@edu.pe.ca)

Charlottetown Family of Schools (Zone 5): As the 2025–2026 school year ends, students, staff, parents, and caregivers across Prince Edward Island celebrate achievements, year-end activities, and milestones. Home and School’s June events and planning are underway. In May, we attended Spring Park and Prince Street meetings and were inspired by the volunteer spirit. We will attend the Prince Street Spring Fling Fundraiser on June 5, where Andrew will be in the dunk tank. Please reach out if we can support fall planning. We recognize the conclusion of the PBIS pilot and its valuable insights. Congratulations on a successful year. Happy summer, everyone! Andrew (amacfarlane@edu.pe.ca) & Gaylene (gcarragher@edu.pe.ca)