Plenty to celebrate in the spring season….60th AGM April 13th
March was a busy and exciting month as the P.E.I. Home and School Federation celebrated its 60th anniversary with a Celebration Concert at the Confederation Centre of the Arts. Past and present students performed for a sold-out crowd in Homburg Theatre, showcasing the amazing talent that there is on P.E.I.
Preparation for the federation's 60th annual general meeting, to be held on April 13 at the Rodd Charlottetown Hotel, has been ongoing and is almost complete. Registrations are still being accepted and it is hoped that every school will send delegates.
This year's meeting promises to be special for several reasons. As always, the federation looks forward to this meeting as an opportunity for parent volunteers, from across the province to meet, get acquainted, and share experiences and ideas.
It also looks forward to reporting its progress and accounting to members for the work over the year, as well as, recognizing volunteers, welcoming new members to the provincial board and connecting with other partners in education.
To recognize the 60th anniversary, the federation has invited past presidents to the luncheon, and happily, many are able to take part.
There is much to be learned from these leaders from years gone past and to promote this, they will be seated throughout the room. The federation’s patron, P.E.I. Lt.-Gov. Frank Lewis, will also attend the luncheon, as well as other guests.
The morning agenda is a full one. The theme of this year's meeting is Parents as Partners in Education, and this theme is reflected in both the resolutions and the speaker.
The federation takes seriously its responsibility to be the voice in education for over 10,000 Island families, and the resolutions are vital to guide everyone in that role.
The federation is dedicated to providing current educational information, including creative and innovative learning ideas and help for parents and teachers who are interested in finding out more about the inside story on learning. Therefore, it is featuring three concurrent workshops, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.: An Introduction to “TeacherNet” facilitated by Peter Rukavina; On-Line Lunch Ordering System, Ricardo Angel, and “Puppies go to School” Project, Eileen Higginbothan, Teacher Prince Street school.
Parent involvement in their children's learning is founded on good communication with the school.
Alan McIsaac, minister of education and early childhood development, will provide a more detailed education update during the morning session on the measures that are underway to determine how our children are doing and to better communicate that information to parents. The minister will also take questions from delegates following his presentation.
Looking ahead, the federation’s Parents As Partners in Education survey results will be released this month.
Public responses cover such survey topics as engagement with the school, barriers, bullying, harassment, school board elections, and more. The federation will take direction on indicated priority areas.
The coming year will see action on areas of importance as indicated in the survey and information drawn from provincial meetings such as the semi-annual and annual and brainstorming sessions.
This continued and increased investment in education works to enhance quality, improve equity, and better meet the needs of children.
It is vital that parents' voices be heard with the message that education is the most important investment that Prince Edward Island can make to ensure a better future for all its citizens.
For more information,contact executive director Shirley Jay at 620-3186 / 1-800-916-0664, as well as at peihsf@edu.pe.ca
Written by Pam Montgomery, President
PEI Home and School Federation