Ready to welcome the 2023 Canada Winter Games
February also the month to recognize contributions of school staff
Happy February and Black History Month from the P.E.I. Home and School Federation.
As the shortest month of the year gets underway, P.E.I. is in final preparations to host the 2023 Canada Winter Games.
Students' mid-term school break is combined with the Games for the two weeks, Feb. 20 to March 4. The federation sends best wishes to the Canada Games team of dedicated volunteers and staff who will welcome Canada's best athletes and the nation to P.E.I. in 2023.
Together, it’s time to celebrate this province’s athletes and share P.E.I.'S welcoming community spirit with the rest of Canada.
Presidents of local Home and School associations have until Feb. 28 to submit annual reports for inclusion in the 70th annual Book of Reports. Refer to last year's report at https://peihsf.ca/agm/ and ask executive members for help, if needed. Include Home and School highlights during the 2022-2023 school year. Remember that, together, people are writing the history of the P.E.I. Home and School Federation.
School staff members works to create safe, welcoming school environments for all students. A positive studentteacher/administrator/admin support/custodian/bus driver relationship speaks of mutual trust and respect. Getting to know students helps them feel valued and can encourage them to become stronger learners. Research has shown that children who feel liked and supported by educators do better in school. In addition, positive relationships have been shown to reduce disruptive behaviour, improve the student's ability to respond to stress and increase engagement in the school.
In recognition of this vital role school, Home and School associations are encouraged to find ways to thank administrators, teachers and other school staff members for their contributions. Celebrate school staff during Teacher/ Staff Appreciation Week, Feb 13-17. P.E.I. teachers and school staff members are the backbone of children's education and growth into their futures. Thank you for all you do.
Home and School's Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes one volunteer's significant contributions to helping people in their school communities. The Life Member Award acknowledges service to the provincial federation. Associations can nominate individuals for these awards. Submit by the deadline: March 3. Criteria and the form are at https://peihsf.ca/awards/.
The P.E.I. Home and School Federation's 70th annual general meeting and convention will be April 15 at the Rodd Charlottetown Hotel. The board has planned an interactive conference and is looking forward to hosting voting delegates and guests. The federation office will circulate the annual meeting conference registration materials to presidents in February and post them at https://peihsf.ca/agm/. Parents and educators are asked to review the meeting information and come to the AGM prepared to vote.
The PEIHSF office staff is available to assist local associations with everything from report writing and award nominations to how to run a local meeting. Email info@peihsf.ca or call 902-620-3186 or 1-800-916-0664.
Dionne Tuplin, president of the P.E.I. Home and School Federation, lives in the 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 902-6203186/1-800-916-0664.