School board elections underway

School Board Elections are fast approaching. The federation applauds the government for the return of School Board Elections following a 14-year pause and related work to reintroduce these to the voting public. All eligible voters on P.E.I. – this includes YOU – are encouraged to find out who’s running and how to vote.

The federation is helping to promote where possible and urges members of the public to become informed and lend its support to the candidates, to P.E.I.’s education system. There are seven school zones with thirty-one candidates running for office in the Public Schools Branch. One candidate in Zone 1 (Westisle area) is acclaimed.

Here are tips and links to help you make an informed decision:

Please continue to check out this site for more details on the timeline for mail-in ballots, as well as the date the announcements of election results as these have both been impacted by post-tropical storm Fiona.

School communities, Municipalities and the voting public can work together to support elections in an equal and fair process for all candidates. Support candidates in your school zone by posting the link: School Board Elections Candidates https://peihsf.ca/ in your school, Home and School, community town office, PSAs, newsletters and on social media, websites, and blogs. People can contact candidates and arrange with them to hold a Meet the Candidate session – one hour in length. A draft plan would include and introduction (2 minutes); candidates’ presentations: 2-4 minutes per person (20 minutes); Q&A (15 minutes); wrap-up (2 minutes).

Parent Leadership Grants are available for up to $1000 per Home and School Association to organize a parent-focused initiative in school communities. For more information, contact the federation office at: 902-620-3186 / 1-800-916-0664 / peihsf@gov.pe.ca

Healthy lunches are available our students from P.E.I. School Food Program Inc. Options for your child/youth, include nut-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian options. Sign up on the P.E.I. School Food Program Inc. website at peischoolfood.ca

In light of the aftermath of post tropical storm Fiona, the P.E.I. Home and School Federation has cancelled its Oct. 18 Semi-Annual Meeting.

Volunteer leadership training workshops are available at no cost to the P.E.I. school community members. Vicki Bryanton and Stephen Gould are back to facilitate these training workshops. On Nov. 1, Westisle Composite High School will host a session for West Prince, and on Nov. 8, Parkdale Elementary will host for Queens County. Both start at 6 pm. A third session date will be announced when confirmed for Kings County. More details will be circulated to Local Home and Schools/Parent Councils.

As everyone continues to clean up, wait for power restoration, and move forward from the aftermath of Fiona, the Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation recognizes and understands that while emotions are still high, we are all in this together.

Happy October. Happy fall. Happy Thanksgiving.