The Parent Voice

The First Ever Earth – Space Music Monday Concert

Is your family following the exploits of Canada’s Commander Chris Hadfield in the International Space Station? Classrooms and family rooms all across Canada are enthralled by Commander Hadfield’s easy communication style as he explains what it is like to live up on the space station and the purpose of the many experiments being conducted during his stay. He even took time out from the “official business” of the space station to collaborate with Ed Robertson (of Barenaked Ladies fame) in writing a song called “Is Somebody Singing,” the official theme song for 2013′s Music Monday. A very special treat is coming up for us on Monday, May 6, 2013 at 12:00 pm EDT as Commander Hadfield will take part in the nation-wide live webcast of this event together with earth bound participants located at the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto. For more information including the full line up of performers  check out Music Monday’s website at http://www.musicmonday.ca.

This event is especially timely in light of People for Education’s recently released report on The Arts in Ontario Schools which examines the availability of arts education to Ontario’s student population. The final recommendations of this report note that:

“there is strong evidence that arts education provides a key foundation for developing the students’ creativity, engagement and academic achievement. Arts education both supports individual learning and development and builds students’ capacity to communicate and work in teams.”

The full report with all it’s findings and recommendations is available through this link on the People for Education website: http://www.peopleforeducation.ca/pfe-news/students-missing-essential-arts-education-and-enrichment/

PRO Grant Submission Deadline: May 21, 2013

The PRO grants for school councils are intended to support school-based initiatives to reach parents who face barriers that prevent them from becoming involved in their children’s learning at home and at school. School councils may develop proposals individually, with other school councils in the same board, or with other groups in the school or in the community. PRO grants support the ministry’s goals and key priorities such as the Math Strategy and our commitment to helping parents work on math with their children. The grants also support a “whole school” approach to fostering a safe, inclusive and accepting school environment.

Please note that the deadline for the 2013/2014 PRO grant submissions is Tuesday, May 21, 2013. Applications are required to be submitted electronically using the on-line application tool found at: PRO Grant Application

Click here for the ministry guide to completing your application: PRO Grant Information

Please remember to forward a copy of your submission to the Director’s Office.

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Nov. 5 & 6: Come to Our Conference!
Give yourself a day – or even two – to be surrounded by people who share your passion for education, who are struggling with the same issues challenging you, who are experts in your areas of interest and who are a lot of fun to boot! Hope to see you there! Read more…

Involving Parents in the School: Tips for School Councils
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/parents/involvement/gettingstarted.html

An active partnership with parents and communities in the education of children is vital to the success of students in today’s society.
All schools in the Avon Maitland School District have active school councils working to help student learning.
Councils are involved at the school level in such activities as:
- code of conduct,
- dress codes,
- school and system calendar,
- curriculum and program goals and priorities,
- school report cards,
- school budget priorities,
- school to community communication strategies,
- extra-curricular activities,
- school based services related to social, health, recreational and nutrition programs,
- and community use of school facilities.

The mandate of school councils is to promote the best interests of the school community while encouraging a positive and co-operative school environment.
The Ministry of Education provides support and resources for school councils as parents play a vital role in the development and education of their children and in the success of schools.