Posted on May 3rd, 2013 by TAPCE Past President
TAPCE would like to thank all those from Toronto that have “Embraced Parent Engagement” by deciding to attend this year’s OAPCE Conference in Peterborough. The networking reception on the
evening of Friday May 24th will provide parents with a chance to meet parents from across the province, to exchange ideas and share successes in preparation for the workshops the following day. Those Workshops are filling up fast but there is still an opportunity to register for some excellent courses. The key note address from Micheal Reist on “Why Schools Need Parents” is sure to help us get mare parents involved and keep them involved. The Gala Dinner on the evening of Sunday May 25th will recognize the contributions of Parents and Parent Partners in Ontario and give everyone an opportunity to share what was learned and how it can be applied. Together we will continue to build a sustainable , engaging and inclusive Parent community for publicly Funded Catholic Schools.
Community is so important to help make sense of horrible things that happen in our world . TAPCE also wishes to express our deepest condolences to those suffering the loss of loved ones recently. From the Terror events in Boston to the teen suicides in BC and Nova Scotia we must do what we can to keep the faith and plant the seeds of hope. On 15th of May Consider what you can do to recognize the International Day of the Family and this year’s theme “Advancing Social Integration and Intergenerational Solidarity”. In addition, May is Sexual Assault Prevention Month. Learn how to address this subject with your children to help prevent more tragedies.
In closing, TAPCE would also like to wish all Mothers a peaceful, safe and wondrous Mother’s Day. May your children bring you Joy. May their laughter lift your heart. May their Spirit inspire you to love more deeply.
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Posted on March 30th, 2013 by TAPCE Past President
TAPCE wishes Pope Francis a Happy Easter and a papacy 
to strengthen faith and renew hope. The Catholic Church has an opportunity in this new pope to enhance its mission and vision to help the poor and protect the environment.
The first week of April celebrates National Wildlife Week in Canada. Later, on the 22nd of April, Earth Day offers yet another opportunity for parents to share in the wonders of Gods creation. Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of animals, was an environmentalist. As Canadians, we can all appreciate the wilderness which God has blessed us with and the beauty of spring after along winter. Love can preserve this legacy for our children and future generations if we take care to share our gifts.
Francis Xavier, the founder of the Jesuits had a different mission. One that is reflected in the catholic graduate expectations. Part of his mission may also be seen in Ontario Public High School students volunteer requirements to graduate. April 26-28th is
Global Youth Services Day. Parents might take this opportunity to become familiar with volunteer
organizations closed to home that might be a good fit for their child.
It is hoped you enjoyed the beautiful weather on Good Friday. May this Easter bring you closer to your children and help you appreciate God’s blessings in this season of rebirth.
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Posted on March 12th, 2013 by TAPCE Past President
This month TAPCE would like to wish the Cardinals in Conclave and the Pope Emeritus best wishes in this time of transition. With March break well underway parents are also encouraged to take a few moments from the busy schedule to ponder the changes the church is going through.
Retirement is a very personal decision. Ones children can sometimes make career choices without considering long term factors such as retirement. It is a hard lesson to learn for the young that there are limits and that time is precious. Yet Parents can help lay the foundation for such wisdom to take root. To expand one’s capabilities one must know one’s own limits and how to mitigate their effect when possible.
The selection of a new leader and the following transition period can often be disruptive. Yet as the Cardinals are now showing us, when processes are observed mindfully and spiritually there is a greater chance of success. School Councils that have functioning succession plans and developmental opportunities can also benefit from a well thought out process for promoting and choosing leaders.
It is hoped that this March break will be filled with wonderful family moments. May our prayers for the leaders of the Catholic Church enhance the likelihood of success. May this Break better prepare our children for what is to come in the present school year and their future endeavors.
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Posted on February 10th, 2013 by TAPCE Past President
This month TAPCE would like to wish everyone an auspicious year of the Snake, a reverent Family Day and an inspiring Lent. The lessons present in celebrations and special days speak to the values of community and society. Such opportunities provide parents a means to demonstrate Catholic truths revealed by faith encouraged by hope and opened by love
The 10th marks the beginning of the year of the Water Snake. Christianity has certain biases toward the snake. Yet one can appreciate the virtue of cleverness celebrated this year. These are indeed challenging time and we need to be careful to choose the best way forward
The 13th marks the beginning of Lent. Meaningful and inspiring resources can help families make the most of this time in preparations for Easter. It is hoped you will take advantage of the material available to reflect on the true meaning of lent and become inspired to more fully realize your potential.
The 18th celebrates Family Day. In this year of faith we are asked to reflect on the promise we are all capable of fulfilling. To put our trust in a larger purpose and fulfill our potential. Families nurture and support us providing a foundation to grow and develop. May we truly appreciate the gifts of our families and what they have to offer.
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Posted on January 22nd, 2013 by TAPCE Past President
With a New Year upon us, new beginnings open up and new opportunities flow forth like a baptism of faith. In this Year of Faith, we are given opportunities to build up ourselves and others. What kind of year will we let this become? Will we be a public light for others to see and follow? Will we fulfill the promise that lays before us?
The secular world cries out for help. It is divided along the lines of rich and poor, powerful and weak, and these divisions grow wider and deeper. There is a sectarian spectrum of disagreement and argument. Devisive politics fracture reasonable discourse. Resolutions are made and broken and defeatist patterns are turned into ”good” news. Distractions and confusion turn back progress in the name of the lowest common denominator. Yet there are those who are not seduced by the myth of secularism. Those that have faith in a future of promise despite the nay sayers. The Church is not going away. It has a vision of the future that is being realized. Our Faith will help make the path ahead clear.
One such Path of Faith is that of a TAPCE Parent Association Representative. As a Parent, one has a genetic stake in the future. As a supporter of faith-based education, one has a rich legacy to draw from. On January’s 28th at TAPCE’s Annual General Membership Meeting, three Officers of the Organization will be elected. Make sure your voice is heard in this election. Help to continue the positive 74 year old tradition of the Ontario Association of Parents in Catholic Education and its Regional Council in Toronto , TAPCE. Together with all stakeholders we will continue to enhance student achievement and increase confidence in the Publicly Funded Catholic Education System.
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Posted on December 25th, 2012 by TAPCE Past President
Dear Parents,
Thank-you for supporting Catholic Education. We are fast approaching one of the most important and joyous times of 
the year. A time to reunite with friends, family and loved ones. A time to celebrate, eat and be merry. Most important of all, it is a time to rejoice the birth of our Saviour.
For those who have passed, especially the young children in the recent tragedy, please say a special prayer and keep them in our hearts.
Let us all be grateful for everything that we have and remember to spread peace and joy to whoever we meet.
May you all have a Very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Antonio Bertani
OAPCE Toronto Director
TAPCE President
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Posted on November 20th, 2012 by TAPCE Past President
TAPCE invites parents engaged in their child’s TCDSB education and those in partnership with parents to its annual Commissioning Ceremony. We acknowledge with gratitude the contributions of parents and guardians who volunteer their time as TAPCE representatives to support and encourage the success of students in the Publicly Funded English Catholic Education system in Toronto. The evening includes a short prayer service, introduction to TAPCE and recognition of some of those that help parents. We hope you will join us.
Commissioning the 2012-2013 TAPCE Representatives formally recognizes them as their CSAC’s Parent Association Representative for the year. As a grass roots organization of parent we help parents improve and enrich the Catholic education of their children with practical resources that are responsive and adaptive to the changing dynamics of a school community. Together with our stakeholders we provide a provincial, national and even international context that parents can apply to their situations and those of their neighbours.
We will also be announcing the winner of the 2011-2012 TAPCE Principal of Excellence Award and honouring all the wonderful principals who were nominated by their parent communities. Principals able to effectively utilize parent resources and engage the full school community enhance student achievement and increase confidence in the sustainability and distinctiveness of our education system.
The event begins at 7:00 p.m. at the Catholic Education Centre, 80 Sheppard Avenue East, 2nd floor Atrium. Free parking is available underground at the CEC, however, space is limited.
R.S.V.P. – Please confirm your attendance as soon as possible by sending us an email to: contactus@tapce.ca
The final deadline for registration is November 28th, 2012. Please provide the following information in your reply:
-name of your school
-name of your TAPCE Representative
-number of guests attending from your school
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Posted on October 30th, 2012 by TAPCE Past President
TAPCE wishes everyone a Happy 
Halloween and wonderous celebration of the feasts of All Saints and All Souls. This November 1st will also mark the first time that we will be able to celebrate the life of a First Nations Saint. With the recent canonization of Kateri Tekakwitha it is indeed a time to celebrate the life of those that have come before.
With leaves turning a rainbow of colours, much of nature is in disguise. It is also a time to contemplate the ephemeral and the cycles of life. Those that passed in grace should be an inspiration to us. At this time of year do not miss the cues that nature provides us to touch on the meaning of death and face the fear some have in life’s challenges and realization of one’s gifts.
Currently popular entertainment seems transfixed with the macabre. Vampires, Zombies and witchcraft abound on TV and the theaters. Many of the trick or treaters that will visit your home will be dressed as ghouls and goblins. Yet is this not also in line with the Catholic celebration of All Souls?
The traditions of Halloween now celebrate the famous, the infamous, heroes and villains. Those that have sacrificed their lives in the cause of freedom are celebrated on 11th of November, Remembrance Day. Yet even those who led lives of infamy have lessons to teach us. So too do those who chose death over life taking a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Recent suicides of teens have again placed a spotlight on the social cancer of bullying. This November join with us to intervene in the cycle of Bullying and give hope to those who are targets of Bullying. The 3rd week of November marks Bullying Awareness Week. Find an initiative that fits with your family’s traditions.
The board’s Values state “Bullying runs counter to the Catholic values of respect, inclusion and social responsibility. We believe that schools and families working together can make a difference. By encouraging collective responsibility, our schools can become safe, welcoming communities where students feel secure, valued and free to develop to their full potential.” Its Policy SS11 requires bully prevention training for the whole School Community. Intervention Strategies and a school-wide bullying prevention and intervention plans are to be included in the School Improvement Plan. Also, communication and outreach strategies are to be in a bully prevention and awareness plan. In addition, the policy requires a monitoring and review program including performance indicators. Help your child’s school achieve its goals. Look for information specific to your school on this issue and ask appropriate questions to help integrate the school’s plan in your home.
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Posted on October 4th, 2012 by TAPCE Past President
TAPCE would like to wish all a bountiful Thanksgiving. As we enter this season of plenty let not sharing be far from your thoughts. We share time 
with our family and friends, dreams with our kindred spirits and a faith in a better future for our children.
So too there is thankfulness for Staff and Teachers. Especially those who help our children achieve. With their volunteer time educators demonstrate what sacrifice and commitment can be achieved. This Friday is International Teacher Day. Add your thanks to a teacher and add your voice to TAPCE’s the Twitter feed @TAPCE4YOU #thankateacher or e-mailing Contactus@Tapce.ca.
Finally there are the parents who volunteer their time, intelect and resources to make the school community stronger. TAPCE will be pursuing a recognition program through the Board for these parents. If you would like to recognize an outstanding parent volunteer at this years Commissioning on the 26th of November please submit your recommendations for such an initiative.
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Posted on September 11th, 2012 by TAPCE Past President
TAPCE would like to welcome all parents and guardians back to a new school year. Last year the Association increased its participation at Commissioning and looks forward to another eventful start to the year. The Principal of Excellence program is well underway with submissions being received and processed to the designated Committee. As Toronto’s Regional Council for OAPCE we coordinated initiatives with other regions around Fundraising and common concerns. In addition we were able to speak for parents that could not through Delegations to the Board on sensitive issues such as the Ombudsman Motion. The Council will continue to incorporate learning opportunities for parents as outlined on the event page and work to further enhance the confidence in the Publicly Funded Catholic Education System in Toronto.
The 14 Day Notice for the CSAC Parent Member Elections should have been sent out to parents through your Principal. The First Meeting of your New Council should occur shortly if it has not already. Outgoing CSACs are finalizing arrangements for transition to the Incoming Members and Executive. Parent Association representatives for CSACs, TAPCE Reps, should have been appointed at your First Meeting, and have continued to identify themselves to TAPCE so they can attend our upcoming meetings in order to take advantage of our resources and experience. New TAPCE Reps will be welcomed on 26Nov2012 at our Commisioning Ceremony. In the meantime, TAPCE continues to welcome new members and veteran members back for another successful School Year.
TAPCE will continue to advocate for Parent Concerns that impact each and every one of us. Through respect and consideration we will achieve the cooperation necessary to mitigate barriers to parent engagement and resolve issues impacting school communities. Together with other stakeholders we will better be able to enhance student achievement through a grass roots approach. We hope you will join us in this challenging and rewarding undertaking.
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