Submitted by: PEIHSF Board of Directors
WHEREAS the Prince Edward Island School Act references the need to “encourage good relations among schools, parents and the community and promote family and community awareness of the importance of education” (section 49(h)), and the importance of providing a “channel of communication between the school and the community, and to build awareness among parents of school programs, activities, and issues” (section 67(b), and,
WHEREAS parent representatives on Department of Education and Early Childhood Development committees have, in past, acted as an important connection between home and school, and
WHEREAS in recent years the number of committees and the frequency of meeting of committees has decreased or been suspended entirely, and
WHEREAS the contribution by parents to committees works best when everyone – parents, bureaucrats, policy makers – clearly understands the role of parents on committees,
BE IT RESOLVED that the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development formalize the communication to the PEI Home and School Federation of which committees are active, which are inactive, and which have been suspended, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that there is provision for PEI Home and School Federation representation on all committees, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the description of the role of parent representatives is formalized so that it is clear to the representatives, to the PEI Home and School Federation, and to other committee members what the parent representative’s role is (are they voting members? do they receive copies of the minutes? may the minutes be circulated to parents for consultation? will provision be made to schedule meetings to accommodate parent schedules?)
Saturday, April 13, 2013
| Destination: | Department of Education and Early Childhood Development |
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, October 11, 2013
The Department recognizes your interest in participating on the committees which directly involves parents. We consider very closely the participation of various groups on the committees involving a variety of issues, some that are more general in nature while others are more operational. We also recognize the importance of parental representation on the committees that do require and benefit from your participation. However, the provision for the PEI Home and School Federation representation on all committees is rather challenging as not all committees require representation from all stakeholders.
The School Act's section 66 does have a provision regarding school councils as parent representation regarding school related matters. As a follow-up to your request regarding your representation on all committees, we will look into the factors surrounding your ask.
At the present time, the only formal committees led by the Department are the School Calendar Committee, the intermediate and Senior High Committees which have yet to be confirmed. We will be pleased to forward to your organization, a complete list of the committees that are active and or suspended or discontinued.
English Language School Board, June 3, 2013
This resolution is one PEIHSF has submitted to the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development for its consideration.