Input makes a difference
Home and School provides a large table around which everyone involved directly with students sits and collaborates on matters of common concern related to education and well-being of students. Many important matters of public education have been discussed around this table for over six decades in P.E.I. The voice of parents, guardians, teachers, staff, and administrators working together has proven effective and impacted positive changes in P.E.I’s education system to benefit students.
The federation provided formal feedback on the back-to-school plan on Aug. 23. The board’s advice was received and resulted in a new school masking policy being put in place. Ongoing consultations with the Department of Education and Lifelong Learning and Public Schools Branch continue to focus on the next steps regarding the Covid-19 outbreak at West Royalty Elementary and preparations to roll out online learning. The federation continues working with education partners to maintain children’s health and well-being. The Vaccine or Test Policy is now in place in schools and provides needed protection for our vulnerable children under age eleven.
Drivers who speed by school busses when the red flashing lights and stop arms are activated while students enter, and exit are still a concern in P.E.I. The PEIHSF and CUPE Local 1145 hosted a workshop recently to look for ways to protect P.E.I.’s youngest citizens. This meeting was attended by reps from education, transportation, city police services, RCMP, Summerside / Charlottetown mayors, students, and parents, with everyone committed to working together to find safety solutions. The federation will report back to Home and Schools and the public at future meetings and in this column.
The Semi-Annual meeting is Thurs., Oct. 21, 6 – 8 p.m., at Gulf Shore Consolidated School, North Rustico. Home and Schools will have an opportunity to learn how everything is connected in the home, the school, and the community. Key hot topics will include reconciliation, gender identity and how to address people, the PowerSchool communication tool, and online safety/child exploitation. Follow-up information will be provided for attendees to continue these conversations in local parent engagement sessions.
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 dry / canned food, mitts, socks, scarves, etc. to be donated to local charities. Register online at: Semi-Annual Meeting or by calling 1-800-916-0664 / 902-620-3186, e-mail at: peihsf@edu.pe.ca
Parent Leadership grants are now available for up to $1000 per Home and School. Project ideas and application guidelines are online at: https://peihsf.ca/grants/. Presidents and treasurers are asked to submit local contact information and membership fees to the federation office. The federation’s awards program information is online at: https://peihsf.ca/awards/
Save the date for training workshops to be held, Nov 1 in Summerside, and Nov. 4 in Charlottetown (school locations TBA), led by Vicki Bryanton and Stephen Gould. The federation offers guidance on facilitating meetings and bringing people together around common goals and visions to advocate for children. Contact the PEIHSF office at 902-620-3186 or 1-800-916-0664 or peihsf@edu.pe.ca for more information on events listed in this column.
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Heather Mullen, president of P.E.I. Home and School Federation, lives in Lot 38, Canavoy with her husband and two children, who attend Mount Stewart Consolidated School and Colonel Gray High School. Her column appears in The Guardian during the school year on the first Friday of the month. She welcomes comments from readers and information from the column and can be reached at 902-620-3186.