Posts Tagged ‘Guardian Column’
Serious Topics Need Engaged Parents
June 2025 PEI Home and School Federation news column David Schult The P.E.I. School Board of Trustees elections on Oct 17 present an important opportunity for concerned parents and community members to engage with candidates on critical issues. Not just parents of school children can vote, but any Canadian citizen over 18 who has lived…
Read MoreTOUGH SUBJECTS TACKLED AT P.E.I. HOME AND SCHOOL AGM
April’s annual general meeting of the P.E.I. Home and School Federation saw attendance soar thanks to strong interest in expert-led workshop topics and keynote speaker Carl Burke. Members heard about the horrors of sextortion, the pros and cons of AI in the classroom, gaming and gambling addictions by youth, and positive behaviour enforcement strategies programs…
Read MoreEach generation looks at the next with suspicion
Lazy, rude, demanding, self-obsessed, disrespectful. Each generation looks at the next with suspicion, convinced something has gone wrong. But are today’s youth worse than those who came before, or is this just the latest round of an age-old complaint? Consider this scathing critique: “I see no hope for the future of our people if they…
Read MoreP.E.I. Home and School presents on online harm
Tackling the Digital Influence on Youth is the focus for P.E.I.’s Home and School Federation’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday, April 12 at the Rodd Charlottetown Hotel. Keynote speaker, Carl H. Burke R.N., who dedicated his career to Health PEI for 32 years, lost his 17-year-old son Harry to sextortion in April 2023. Mr.…
Read MoreModel healthy screen habits at home
After a hasty but positive implementation of restrictions on cell phone usage in schools this September, the Department of Education and Early Years this January released new guidelines for promoting healthy screen time habits for children. These guidelines offer useful recommendations for limiting sedentary activities such as watching TV or playing video games while encouraging…
Read MoreCommunication needed to protect school children
Schools have a duty of care to protect children and prevent harm, acting swiftly when a child is at risk. Parents should advocate for transparency and strong child protection policies in their children’s schools. Awareness and communication regarding these protocols are crucial for ensuring that schools prioritize student safety above all else. Here are four…
Read MoreSchool bus safety a driving issue
Are the wheels on the bus broken? Maybe not the wheels but school bus safety remains a driving issue with accidents in 2021 and 2015 highlighting the Home and School Federation’s longstanding concerns and the need for action. We are fortunate that these are the only major incidents thus far as Prince Edward Island has…
Read MoreExtra credit a disingenuous practice. Ask more questions about grading at Nov. 22 parent-teacher interviews
Author John Brunner found two kinds of fools. One says, ‘This is old, and therefore good.’ The traditional grading system involves teachers collecting assignments, tests, and projects, calculating averages, and converting percentages into letter grades. This old method fails to provide a comprehensive picture of a student’s understanding and skills. The other fool says, ‘This…
Read MoreFocusing on education’s impact: Essential factors that drive student achievement
As parents and educators, we’re always looking for ways to help students succeed. But with so many factors at play, it can be hard to know where to focus our efforts. Fortunately, decades of research by education expert John Hattie offer some clear guidance on what makes the biggest difference in student achievement. Hattie’s groundbreaking…
Read MoreParental involvement requested
CHARLOTTETOWN – The Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation (PEIHSF) is urging more parental involvement and collaboration with educators as the new school year begins. Local home and school associations play a vital role in connecting parents, guardians, school staff, and students. Participation extends beyond attending meetings or volunteering at events. We encourage everyone…
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