Islanders invited to raise issues through resolution process
At the September Board meeting of the Provincial Home and School Federation, we held a group discussion around the questions “What do we mean by academic achievement?” and “What is it about grade 12 education that is important to parents?”
Our Board Members described a school system that produces well-rounded and engaged citizens who have interpersonal skills and the ability to do whatever they want to do in the future. They envisioned inclusive environments that offer different and interesting learning trajectories for different students- not a “cookie cutter” approach. They believe that success is different for every child and that the education system should “foster their passions.”
The most effective way of raising issues that need to be addressed in P.E.I.’s education system is through our annual Resolution process. Every year at our AGM, delegates discuss issues raised by our membership, determine through a voting process whether they become organization policy, and decide the focus of the work of the Provincial Federation for the next year.
Local home and school associations are encouraged to collaborate within their own school communities, as well as within their family of schools to identify priority issues that may be addressed at a provincial level. Assistance with writing resolutions is available online at https://peihsf.ca/agm/resolutions or from the Federation office at peihsf@edu.pe.ca or by telephone at (902) 620-3186 or, toll-free, 1-800-916-0664. Resolutions should be submitted to the P.E.I. Home and School Federation office by January 31, 2017.
Parent Leadership Grants are available to help local associations bridge school-to-school transitions and provide an opportunity for local home and schools within each family of schools to engage in cooperative projects. During Chef Tony Geraci’s visit to P.E.I. schools, students came up with the idea of holding youth forums to discuss the future of school food within their communities. Parent Leadership Grants could be used to bring youth, parents, teachers, administrators, chefs and food producers together to learn about the great food that is available locally in P.E.I. and how it can be brought into schools. You can find the application kit, an example of a grant application around school food, and more information at https://peihsf.ca/grants . The next deadline for the Parent Leadership Grant is Jan. 27.
The P.E.I. Home and School Federation Extra Mile Awards are your opportunity to recognize those within the school system who go above and beyond the call of duty to support our students. The submission deadline is Jan. 13. More details can be found online at: https://peihsf.ca/extramile
The PEIHSF office staff are available to help local associations in their deliberations about everything from public consultation meetings to writing resolutions. Email office@peihsf.ca or phone 902-620-3186 or 1-800-916-0664.
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Lisa MacDougall, President of the P.E.I. Home and School Federation, lives in North Rustico with her husband and two children. Her column appears in The Guardian during the school year on the first Thursday of the month. She welcomes comments from readers and information for the column. She can be reached at peihsf.ca or 902-620-3186.