P.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 5:45 to 8 p.m. at Central Queens Elementary School in Hunter River, will feature presentations designed to encourage dialogue, deepen understanding, and highlight the shared responsibility of protecting students and promoting their well-being.
GUEST SPEAKERS
Two guest speakers will lead the discussion. Karyn Kibsey, Senior Manager for Education and Training at the Canadian Centre for Child Protection (CCCP), will present on child sexual abuse prevention, risk reduction, and how to talk to children about personal safety. The Canadian Centre for Child Protection is a national charity dedicated to the personal safety of children. Kibsey helps lead a team that provides child sexual abuse prevention supports to families, schools, and child serving organizations across the country. Through this work, she provides insights on issues such as child sexual abuse and exploitation, prevention education for children, professional misconduct and organizational policies and safeguards, and emerging online risks, helping to inform best practices and drive systemic change in child protection efforts nationwide.
Also presenting is Cpl. Robert Yaschuk, of the RCMP Internet Child Exploitation Unit in Prince Edward Island, will address local child protection issues and community-based strategies to create safer schools and neighbourhoods. Internet child exploitation units across Canada use online tips, new technology and forging partnerships locally to combat online child sexual abuse and imagery.
David Schult, President of the PEI Home and School Federation emphasizes the importance of every member of the school community, from parents, teachers, administrators to caregivers, and their role to play. Schult says. “We must all recognize the warning signs of child abuse, including problematic sexual behaviour, peer-to-peer abuse, and virtual abuse. Together, we can explore effective strategies to support and educate students in developing self-protective skills.”
REGISTER TO ATTEND
The semi-annual meeting is open to Home and School Associations across the Island, as well as parents, teachers, and staff in the Public Schools Branch. Due to the sensitive nature of the presentations, the event is recommended for adults only. Child care will be provided on site by student volunteers, and refreshments will be served.
Registration is $10 per person, with the option to attend as a representative of a local Home and School Association. Those interested can register online at https://forms.gle/Mw6PoEJxhUdat5EWA.
SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS
The Federation also wishes to extend a welcome to all candidates for school board trustee in the upcoming election. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to engage with trustee candidates on issues of importance to Island students. The Federation suggests asking candidates if they will commit to recognizing playgrounds as essential school infrastructure, supporting the inclusion of playgrounds in annual school facilities and capital budgets, and advocating for a dedicated provincial budget line for playgrounds.
Right now, playgrounds depend on how much a school community can fundraise, and that’s not fair. PEI has the chance to fix this by treating playgrounds as core infrastructure — just like classrooms — so every child benefits equally. No child’s right to play should depend on a bake sale. It’s time we made playgrounds a guaranteed part of every new school in PEI.
All adult residents of PEI, not just parents, are strongly encouraged to vote for their school board trustees which begins Friday, October 3, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. and the on-line voting portal closes on Friday, October 17, 2025 at 12 p.m. Visit Elections PEI’s website for all the details.
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David Schult, president of the PEI Home and School Federation, lives in Charlottetown with his wife and two children, who attend UPEI and Colonel Gray Senior High School.