Parent Corner
3. PRO/PI Examples and Ideas (co-developed by TAPCE)
TAPCE Delegation JK/SK Boundaries
Legislation
Bill 115 2012 rescinded.
Putting Students First Act Act temporarily altered Collective Bargaining process and eventually imposed Collective agreements based on one negotiated by timelines required by Government.
Bill 14 2012 Currently awaiting 3rd reading referred to Standing Committee on Social Policy since 22May2012
An Act to designate Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week in Schools and to provide for bullying prevention curricula, policies and administrative accountability in schools
The legislation designates a bullying awareness week in november starting on the 3rd Sunday of that Month.
Bill 13 2012 Recieved Royal Assent 19Jun2012
An Act to amend the Education Act with respect to bullying and other matters
This legistlation includes the right of students to form a club to address Bullying including ones named “Gay Straight Alliance”.
Regulation 612/00 as Amended by Regulation 330/10
Please find attached a letter from the Honourable Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Education announcing the release of Parents in Partnership – A Parent Engagement Policy for Ontario Schools, and amendments to regulation 612: School Councils and Parent Involvement Committees. Further information about the policy and the regulation has been posted on the Ministry website http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/parents/involvement/index.html.
Student Achievement and School Board Governance Act, 2009 (formerly Bill 166)– Received Royal Assent 15Dec2009 The purpose of this Bill is to address various matters relating to the governance of school boards, including establishing the responsibilities of boards for student achievement and stewardship of resources. The Bill sets out duties of the chair and other members of a Board. The Bill also includes a new purpose statement that sets out the purposes of education and a public school system. The Bill also deletes a number of “obsolete and inapplicable” provisions of the Education Act. It is asserted that the bill makes boards more responsible and less relevant. You are encouraged to become better informed on this Bill and contact your MPP to express your opinion on it.http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&BillID=2187&BillStagePrintId=4310&btnSubmit=go
Education Amendment Act (keeping our Kids safe at school )(Bill 157)
Receiving Royal assent on 5Jun2009 This act lays out mandatory reporting of serious offences to the Principal and is designed to protect the rights of the victim of such incidents. The Process relies on the understanding that resolution to serious conflicts require the intervention of an adult. TCDSB has detailed information on its safe school Page http://www.tcdsb.org/Safe%20Schools/ . The ministry also issued the below Policy and Procedure memorandum to implement aspects of this regulation
- PPM 120: REPORTING VIOLENT INCIDENTS TO THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
- PPM 128: THE PROVINCIAL CODE OF CONDUCT AND SCHOOL BOARD CODES OF CONDUCT
- PPM 144: BULLYING PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION
- PPM 145: PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE AND PROMOTING POSITIVE STUDENT BEHAVIOUR
Student Achievement and School Board Governance Act, 2009 (Bill 177) – Received Royal Assent 15Dec2009 The purpose of this Bill is to address various matters relating to the governance of school boards, including establishing the responsibilities of boards for student achievement and stewardship of resources. The Bill sets out duties of the chair and other members of a Board. The Bill also includes a new purpose statement that sets out the purposes of education and a public school system. The Bill also dele tes a number of “obsolete and inapplicable” provisions of the Education Act. It is asserted that the bill makes boards more responsible and less relevant. You are encouraged to become better informed on this Bill and contact your MPP to express your opinion on it. http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&BillID=2187&BillStagePrintId=4310&btnSubmit=go
Bill 66 Education Statute Law Amendment Act
Bill Passed First Reading May122010 But appears to have “died on the Order Paper”
An Act to Protect children from Pornography (Electronic Sexual Material)
PRO/PI Grant Examples and Ideas
Ties That Ground
This Presentation was co-developed to leverage the culturally significant icon of the Kite with the important research on brain development and child psychology present in the study of Emotional intelligence where children who are well grounded are more resilient and do better in school.
Media Literacy
This Parent involvement Grant presentation was co-developed to lays the foundation for a guest speaker to present as a subject matter expert perspective on the issue.
Voices of Clay:
This Presentation was co-developed to assist the school address PRO commitments. The first Module voice-of-clay addresses the moulding aspect of the exercise. An addition sessions dealing with glazing offer an opportunity to reinforce lessons learned and build on engagement techniques that can be used at home.
Parent Engagement/Resources/Block budget/TCDSB Orientation.
This presentation was tailored for Our Lady of Grace to satisfy its PRO grant provisions. The presentation includes a reference to the Provincial Parenting Board which was subsequently disbanded. Board Pics are anticipated to replace the role of this body through an annual conference/meeting or Parent Involvement Committee Chairs… our-lady-of-grace
Parent Literacy Presentation
Many parents look for resources to help them once there is already a problem. Parent literacy can act as an ounce of prevention. The following report is provided for your consideration, as an example of a schools efforts parent-literacy-presentation-report . In addition the following resources are offered for your consideration, care of St. Henry School Council, TCDSB Early Years Lead and CBC Parent Columnist Karen Horsman. parent-litteracy-handouts
PRO Grant Presenters and Presentation Ideas : The following list is compiled from CSACs in Toronto that have found the presenters highly effective.
-Ugo Rossi -Stand up to bullying TCDSB Vice-principal of Msgr Percy Johnson, Mr Rossi, gives workshops across Ontario, and in the U.S., on how to recognize and overcome bullying , and empower students…
-Ron Moorish-Discipline Presentation addresses some of the current myths around punishment and reward systems of behaviour modification.
-Paul Gillespie Net Smarts Former Toronto Police Officer speaks on Cyber Safety. Presentation can be tailored for a parents only audience. Addresses some of the risks and benefits inherent on the internet with helpful suggestions on approached
- Rory Sheehan “How Our Children Learn”. His presentation deals with research on brain motor relationships. In addition he speak to anti labelling strategies and busting some of the myth around disorders like dyslexia. www.positivestrategies.com
Media Issues
June2012 Activity Fees Guidelines from the ministry are being implemented slowly. However, the visibility of the issue at the parent level remains unclear to many. TAPCE continues to pursue matter onBoard Committee appointed to address imlementation issues.
Mar 2012 Summer Ombudsman Issue initiaitive indicates support for the concept but not necessarily for the cost. The avenues to address parent concerns appear to be increasing with CPIC, Trustee and Staff visibility enhanced. However, inability to consistently access the right resources persists too often. A straightforward resolution to matter continues to be pursued.
Jan2011 Full Day Kindergarden
With the phased in implementation of full day Kindergarden concerns from the loss of “Nap-time” to the impact on Daycare spaces have been raised. Most parents support the initiative as a means of exposing their children to a more structured learning environment. Educators are also encouraged by results in other jurisdications which suggest the move will enhance student achievement.
Oct2010 Trustee Elections
CPIC coordination of Trustee debates allowed for a ballenced less advacarial approach to issues. As this was the first use of CPIC in this capacity several lessons were learned. It is anticpated that CPIC may hold similar all candidated meetings in future elections to allow Ward candidates to get to know the Candidates.
Early 2010 World Down Syndrome Day
Dr. Ash celebrating World Down Syndrome Day, with Frank Proctor 4.75 Meg MP3 file available upon request.
Sep2010 EQAO results
It is indicate reading in Grade 3 has not improved as desired. Parents are encouraged to be more involved in the school community consultation on improving EQAO results.
Aug2010Full Day Kindergarten Implementation
Based on Parent Feedback this issue primarily impacts school communities which already have daycare. Implications of how these day cares can continue under the new program is of concern to some parents. The change is welcomed by most parent however it is unclear how napping will be accommodated. In addition kindergarten curriculum may need to be reviewed to take better advantage of the full day learning opportunity. An opportunity to more effectively address ESL and French as a recognized language of Canada could be pursued.
2009 Why EQAO Scores in Catholic Schools may be higher in GTA
This issue relates to eqao-findings-in-favour-of-catholic-boards-in-gta1
2009 Equitable Education –
A questions on The Cost of Extracurricular in Ontario’s Schools was responded to by TAPCE. catholic-register-statement
2008 Why Semester systems give mixed results for High School Success.
TAPCE INvestigation into Issue identified percieved cost savings as a primary motivator for semester system. It was believed that for reading writing and arithmetic full year courses would be better. TAPCE research for other courses was inconclusive on this matter. However it was believed that a full day system was better for students having difficulty in courses where the material tends to a cumulative development.
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