The PEI Home and School Federation Offers Funding For Parents To Participate In Their Children’s Learning
The following is distributed by Island Information Service at the request of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and the PEI Home and School Federation. Home and School Federation Offers Funding for Parents to Participate in their Children’s Learning
New funding is now available to support parents who want to become more involved in their children’s learning, says Bill Whelan, president of the PEI Home and School Federation.
“The PEI Home and School Federation is providing grants of up to $350 to school-based parent groups to support events, projects or training in support of parent involvement,” said Whelan. “Parent involvement is the key piece in the education puzzle because it enhances everything the education system has to offer. By funding these parent-led, school-partnered projects, we are showing parents that they have an important role to play, that they are valued as education partners and that their opinions matter. This is what home and school is all about.”
School-based parent groups, including home and school associations and school councils in the three school boards can apply for grants to support a new project or to continue an existing one.
“With 80 per cent of Island schools participating, there was an overwhelming response to the Parent Engagement Opportunity Fund when it was first introduced last year,” said Whelan. “We hope to build on that success with this second round of funding in the amount of $25,000.”
Last year, the fund supported such activities as art expos, back-to-school barbeques, family math nights, homework help for parents, and information nights on new programs and curriculum.
Among the 56 projects funded last year was a Graduation Guide for Parents which was compiled for parents of students at Kinkora Regional High School. The guide, website and information sessions provided parents with information relating to graduation, as well as scholarships, bursaries, student loan information and deadlines.
Eliot River Elementary School received a grant to host a Write Night at the school where grade 6 students made a presentation on what is involved in writing to a large turnout of parents, students and teachers. By learning more about the six traits of writing, parents were able to understand more about what their children were learning and how they could help at home. The students were very motivated by the interest and support that parents showed in their writing as a result of the project.
Parkside Elementary parents hosted a Family Fun Night to encourage parents to become more involved in the school. The evening was a new and enjoyable experience for parents to interact with their child’s teachers and discuss subjects other than academic progress or behavioural issues. Students enjoyed the opportunity to show their parents around their school.
“The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is very pleased to support the PEI Home and School Federation and its parent engagement strategy,” said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Gerard Greenan. “Parents have more influence on their children’s learning than anyone else and we are encouraged by the grassroots momentum that has been initiated by parents across the Island to improve student success.”
Grant proposals will be received from October 28, 2009 until June 16, 2010. Projects should be completed by August 31, 2010.
Project ideas are outlined in a proposal kit and stories on the Home and School Federation website. For more information, contact us.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
School-based parent groups may now access grants of up to $350 from the provincial Home and School Federation to support events, projects or training in support of parent involvement, says Bill Whelan, president of the Federation.
“By funding these parent-led, school-partnered projects, we are showing parents that they have an important role to play, that they are valued as education partners and that their opinions matter. This is what home and school is all about.”
Project ideas are outlined in stories and a proposal kit on the Home and School Federation website.
Media Contacts:
Jean Doherty
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
902 368 6449
jmdoherty@gov.pe.ca
Bill Whelan
President, PEI Home and School Federation
902 566 0419
wwhelan@upei.ca