Time to reflect on past year
As the 2022-2023 school year draws to a close, take time to reflect on all their accomplishments this year.
June is an excellent time to hold home and school association elections of officers to allow new executive members time to prepare for the beginning of the school year in September. Stepping up to volunteer is a great way to give to a school community and help make changes and improvements that will benefit students and staff in schools. Those who have completed their terms can ask another parent or teacher rep to fill in their place. Parents having children in the early grades may be keen to volunteer in the school. For guidance, contact the Federation office at 902-620-3186.
This year saw the return of the provincial Heritage and Science Fairs after a three-year hiatus. The Prince Edward Island Home and School Federation sponsors specialty prizes in science and heritage fairs. Hundreds of student finalists showcased projects in the Public Schools Branch and CSLF schools. Specialty science fair winners were Isaac Ramsay, Bloomfield Elementary – Will Pop Really Rot My Teeth? and Amelia Haywood, Cardigan Consolidated – Should You Really Trust the 5-second Rule?. Specialty heritage fair winners were Haven McCormack, Grade 9, Belfast Consolidated – The McCormack Roots and Henry Mitchell, Grade 6, L.M. Montgomery Elementary – Doucette House Descendant.
Home and School Associations awarded Parent Engagement Grants are to submit final reports highlighting their project events by May 31. If you require more information, contact the Federation office at 902-620-3186.
The Public Schools Branch Board of Trustees will hold a public meeting on June 5, 7:30 p.m., at Queen Charlotte Intermediate School. This is a time to come out and get to know your elected school board trustee. Find the agenda and minutes on the PSB website at: https://psb.edu.pe.ca/board-meetings-and-minutes.
Refer to the Department of Education and Early Years 2023-2024 school calendar to mark home calendars for the student’s first instructional day (Sept. 7), professional development days, Christmas, and March breaks. The calendar can be viewed at: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/education-and-early-years/2023-2024-school-calendar.
New data has been released from the 2020-21 Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drugs Survey, which can be found at https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/canadian-student-tobacco-alcohol-drugs-survey/2021-2022-summary.html.
At schools, students find the summer is an excellent time for reading. Plan a visit to the local library to sign up young children for a library card. Your library card provides you and your child with many resources at P.E.I. libraries. Go to: www.library.pe.ca. More at: www.readingrockets.org
Congratulations to all graduates across the island from elementary to high school and all the best on new ventures. Remember your education, the friendships you’ve made and the journeys you have yet to explore.
Have a great summer, be safe and we look forward to seeing you for the 2023-2024 school year in September.
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Dionne Tuplin, president of the P.E.I. Home and School Federation, lives in Tyne Valley area, with her husband and four children, who attend Ellerslie Elementary School, Hernewood Intermediate and Westisle Composite High School. A Home and School column appears in The Guardian during the school year on the first Friday of the month. For questions about this column or to find out more about the work of the P.E.I. Home and School Federation, contact peihsf@gov.pe.ca or 902-620-3186/1-800-916-0664.