Workshops to help school volunteers

Thirty-five members of home and school associations from across P.E.I. including parents, guardians, educators and guests from education sector unions, the University of Prince Edward Island, and the Chief Public Health Office, attended the Semi-Annual Meeting on Monday, Oct 23 at Central Queens Elementary in Hunter River.

The focus of the meeting was a 90-minute panel discussion titled “Help My Child.”

Speakers presented three topics: Home and School’s advocacy role to address gaps and effect change for students in the education system through its resolution process; the new COMPASS student health survey 2022-23 study results for PEI students in grades 7-12 tell the story of cannabis use, obesity, mental health, physical activity, alcohol use, smoking, and sedentary behaviour; use of screens in schools, how to manage related mitigating factors and international recommendations for school-related sedentary behaviours.

Discussion focused on “how we impacting change.” Collaboration steps were taken to advocate for better ways to improve the health and well-being of P.E.I. students; a true reflection of parents and educators working together.

Speaker’s presentations are posted at: https://peihsf.ca/semi-annual/.

This month, two leadership training workshops will help new and returning school volunteers better understand their roles at the school level and the federation’s role in school communities.

Miscouche Consolidated School will host a workshop on Nov. 6, and West Royalty Elementary School will host one on Nov. 7. Both workshops run 6:30-8 p.m.

Workshops facilitators are consultants Vicki Bryanton and Stephen Gould. Call 902-620-3186 or email peihsf@gov.pe.ca to register by Nov 4.

Find out more about the education system, how to make positive changes for students, plan a productive home and school meeting, add educational topics to the agenda, ask the principal for a school report, involve everyone around the meeting table, and practice basic parliamentary procedures.

Home and school associations 2023-24 membership are due, Nov. 15. Payment can be made by e-transfer to peihsf@gov.pe.ca or mail a cheque to the federation office.

Awards recognize deserving educators, school administration support staff, school bus drivers, crossing guards and parent volunteers in school communities.

The federation’s 2024 awards program begins with the School Crossing Guard Award with nominations due Nov 24. Find more information online at https://peihsf.ca/awards/.

Parent Leadership Grants are available for up to $500 per local home and school to organize a parent-focused and led initiative in your school community. For more information, contact the federation office. Submission deadline is Nov 30.

Be sure to add these dates to calendar: Nov 11: Remembrance Day; Nov 20: National Child Day; Nov 21-27: Canada History Week.

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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.