Parent Involvement

Resources


Resources for Parents, Educators,  Parent Involvement Committee Members and School Council Members

Resource Centre provides parents, educators, Parent Involvement Committee members and School Council members with a host of helpful information.  In this section, you will find reports and documents, multimedia tools, school programs and presentations as well as website links.

Please Note: Some of these resource documents are in Adobe PDF format.  To view these documents, you will need a copy of Acrobat Reader.  You can download this free program by clicking here.

Visit - abc123

abc123 features simple and valuable ideas on fun, everyday ways to engage children in reading, writing, and mathematics. abc123 provides information as tip lists that are easy to read and print off.

The site also has information that will help parents partner with their child’s teacher, deal with homework, identify the need for extra help, and understand school readiness.

Parents can also find out what the government is doing to reach every student in a section called “How We’re Helping”.

This is just the beginning. abc123 will be refreshed regularly with new and relevant information, including useful links to other government programs and external sites.

The site can be accessed through the Ministry of Education homepage at www.edu.gov.on.ca or directly at  www.ontario.ca/abc123.

Reports and Documents

Learn more about guidelines, regulations and policies and procedures from the Rainbow District School Board and the Ministry of Education:

Ontario Parent Involvement Policy looks at the Ministry of Education’s approach to enhancing the involvement of parents in Ontario’s public schools.

Policy and Operational Procedures Manual outlines policy statements and other information on subjects relevant to the students, parents, staff and school community members in Rainbow Schools.  Topics of interest include:


School Councils: A Guide for Members, Revised 2002 has been developed by the Ministry of Education to help School Council members fulfill their mandate.  This publication outlines the history, regulations, consultation and roles and responsibilities of the council and its members.  Suggestions and tips on how to set goals and priorities, establish bylaws and run effective School Council elections are also provided in this guide.

Multimedia Tools

Explore our interactive multimedia tools and find out how School Councils are making a difference in Ontario’s education system:

Ontario Principals’ Council, 2002, School Councils: Making a Difference Video is available at the Educational Media Centre.  This 32-minute video is divided into eight segments: Role of Parents, What School Councils Can Do, Reaching out to the Community, Factors of Success, The Effective Meeting, Recruiting Council Members, Planning for the Future and The Rewards.

School Councils November 2005 Orientation Session Video is available at the Educational Media Centre.  This informative video highlights the history, purpose, function as well as the role and responsibilities of the Rainbow District School Board’s Parent Involvement Committee (PIC), formerly known as the School Council Coordinating Committee.

Please Note: Talk to your school Principal to access resources from the Educational Media Centre.

School Programs and Presentations

In this section, you will learn more about the many programs and presentations offered by local organizations:
Canadian Red Cross - Sudbury Branch
The Sudbury Branch of the Canadian Red Cross offers a variety of on and off-site First Aid and CPR training courses for both children and adults.  Groups are welcome.  For more information or to sign up for a course, please contact  (705) 674-0737.

• Babysitting – Sponsored by Zellers, this course features age-specific content that teaches babysitters to be prepared, fun and responsive caregivers.  Course topics include basic childcare skills, safety tips, game and entertainment ideas, rights and responsibilities of babysitters and more.

• Child Care – This dynamic eight-hour course teaches parents/guardians how to make their home a safer place and how to handle childhood emergencies with confidence.  The Child Care course includes group discussions, demonstrations, role-playing, short lectures and hands-on exercises.

• CPR/AED – These courses teach candidates how to recognize and respond to cardiovascular and other life-threatening emergencies.  Participants also learn automated external defibrillation (AED) and how to access the Emergency Medical Services system.

• PeopleSavers – This four-level program teaches safety awareness and first aid skills to elementary students by reinforcing the message of: "Prepare! Stay Safe! Survive!"  Participants follow the PeopleSavers character through a variety of everyday situations that could be potentially dangerous and learn how to stay safe, call for help, and care for an injured person. 

• Standard/Emergency First Aid – This course provides candidates with the knowledge and skills to deal with a variety of emergency situations and to provide assistance to persons in distress.  At the end of     the course, participants are prepared to apply their skills in an emergency situation with confidence.

• First Responder – This comprehensive 44-hour course is designed for those individuals most likely to be the first rescuers on the scene of an emergency.  The program reflects the latest advances in first aid and CPR and provides professional rescuers with the information and skills they need to respond to medical emergencies with confidence and care.

• First Aid Instructor – This course provides candidates with the knowledge and skills necessary to teach all Red Cross first aid and CPR courses.  Participants learn how to teach and facilitate through learning and assessment theory; individual and group assignments; practice teaching exercises; and principles of injury prevention, inclusion and progressive learning.

• On Board – This program provides an easy, convenient way for boaters to obtain their Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC).  To prepare for the exam, participants may study at home using a study guide, or in a classroom environment if preferred.  Once prepared, they simply book an appointment to complete the exam.
Greater Sudbury Police Service
The Greater Sudbury Police Service provides a number of safety and crime prevention programs to students, parents, educators and other members of Rainbow School communities.  The following programs are available in both English and French.  To learn more, contact Greater Sudbury Police Service at 705-675-9171 or email presentation@police.sudbury.on.ca

• Anti-Bullying - The goal of the Anti-Bullying program is to teach the art of mind defense and ways to avoid confrontations.  Using common sense as their best defense, children are taught what to do when faced with bullies, peer pressure and teasing.  Decision-making skills are taught through role plays and “what-if” games.

• Child Safety Awareness Programs - The Crime Prevention Branch has a number of Child Safety Programs including the Magic Circle, a street proofing program  that teach children how to protect themselves when a parent or guardian is unable to do it for them.

• Drinking and Driving - This program explores the dangers of alcohol misuse and driving while under the influence of alcohol.  Consequences of drinking and driving as well as their effects on family and community  are also discussed.

• Drug Abuse Awareness (for Children, Parents and Teachers) – The Drug Abuse Awareness Program is designed to increase awareness of the hazards of narcotics and dangerous drug use.  This program also explains how to recognize the symptoms of drug abuse.

• Empowered Student Partnerships (ESP)  - Introduced by the Greater Sudbury Police Service, the Empowered Student Partnerships (ESP) program enables students in Rainbow Schools to identify concerns in their school and initiate projects to address those concerns.  By taking action, students work in partnership with the community to promote a safe school environment all year long.

• Gateway Program – This Grade 6 initiative teaches the destructive consequences of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana and other drugs.  This program also creates an understanding of why young people use drugs and emphasizes the benefits of drug-free living.  In addition, the Gateway Program offers viable suggestions on how students can develop a lasting drug-free living plan.

• Law Awareness Topics - Topics such as vandalism, shoplifting, assault, sexual assault, harassment and threatening are presented to students and adults upon request.  During these presentations, The Criminal Code is explained along with the consequences of committing offences.


• Police Mkwa Opportunity Education Circle - Through this program, the first of its kind in Canada, local     aboriginal students receive a hands-on look at opportunities in the field of policing and the criminal justice system. The Police Mkwa Opportunity Education Circle is a joint effort of the Greater Sudbury Police Service and Rainbow District School Board.


• Streetproofing - This child awareness program supports and reinforces the training that parents, teachers and other educators give about safety awareness topics.  Streetproofing also shows how to give children the ability to recognize a danger or potential danger and to take appropriate action to avoid it.  This includes protection not only against criminal activity but also against personal injury and abuse.

• V.I.P. (Values, Influences and Peers) - Designed for Grade 6 students, this program involves twelve separate components.  The program explores various topics including peer pressure, vandalism, shoplifting, decision-making and respect for the law.  The program covers a three-month period and includes visits to medical facilities, the courthouse and the police station.

Other school programs include: Bullying and Children; Bullying Mediation Program;  Cru-School Based Community Policing; Cyberproofed; Cyberproofing your Children; Streetproofing your Children; Youth and the Law and Youth Referral Program.
St John Ambulance – Sudbury Branch
The Sudbury Branch of St John Ambulance provides a variety of school programs on topics related to health and safety training.  To find out more, please contact St John Ambulance – Sudbury Branch at 705-524-7223 or e-mail sudbury@on.sja.ca

• CPR Level A - This program includes content on Emergency Scene Management (ESM), risk factors, prudent heart living anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system, recognition of cardiovascular disease and stroke, one-rescuer CPR and more.The minimum age for this and other CPR courses     offered is 10 years of age.  A certificate is awarded upon successful completion of the course.

• The Lifesaver - The Lifesaver course is an introductory first aid course on basic lifesaving skills.  Course     topics include Emergency Scene Management (ESM), artificial respiration, wounds and bleeding and poisoning.  This three-hour course is open to persons 10 years and over.  The Lifesaver Pocket card is awarded upon completion of the course.

• We Can Help - This three-hour first aid and safety awareness program is designed for children between the ages of 7 and 10 years.  The course has a maximum flexibility for integration into the regular curriculum of junior school grades.  A certificate and award button are presented to the student upon completion of the course.
Sudbury and District Health Unit
The Sudbury and District Health Unit presents health and safety education and awareness programs to students and educators in Rainbow Schools.  Their interactive programs provide participants with the knowledge, skills and tools necessary to make positive lifestyle choices. 

For a list of available classroom presentations, displays/workshops and resources, please contact the Sudbury and District Health Unit’s School Health Promotion Information Line at 705-522-9200, ext. 393.

Website Links

Browse through Website Links for a directory of programs and organizations:

Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Canada is the leading child and youth serving organization, providing mentoring programs to youth across the country.  Visit their website for more information, including how you can get involved.

Better Beginnings Better Futures is a community-based organization that represents the interests of low-income families with children.  Parents will
find a list of available programs and activities on their website.

Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating is designed to help Canadians make wise food choices. Learn more by visiting their website.

Canadian Institute of Child Health works to promote and protect the health of Canadian children through monitoring, education and advocacy.  On this website, parents will learn about the organization’s many projects and activities, upcoming events and general child health-related information.

Child and Family Canada is a not-for-profit organization
that provides resources on children and families. 

Child Care Resources is a centralized
not-for-profit umbrella organization that provides an online parenting support program, an autism program as well as integration and respite services to families in the Sudbury, Manitoulin, Algoma and Thunder Bay districts.

Children First - Les enfants avant tout is a committed group of elected representatives, local experts, businesses and citizens working together to improve the quality of life for children in Greater Sudbury.

Computers for Schools - Ontario is a national program that turns
donated computers into strategic classroom resources.  To make computer donations or to request a computer for your school, please contact, Manager of Computers for Schools - Ontario (Sudbury Refurbishing Centre) at 705-521-6037.

Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) is an
arm’s-length agency of the provincial government that provides parents, teachers and the public with information about student achievement in reading, writing and mathematics.

Family Enrichment Centre provides individual, couple, family and youth counselling for relationships, separation/divorce, co-dependency, addictions, grief and bereavement, depression, stress and trauma.

Greater Sudbury Public Library offers a wide range of bilingual services and collections, which meet the information and leisure needs of all citizens, including parents and children.

Healthy Babies Healthy Children Programs is a prevention/early intervention initiative designed to help families promote healthy child development.~ This free voluntary program is offered to pregnant women and families with young children through local Public Health Units.

Kids Share - Enfants-Partage is a toy lending library, drop-in play centre and source for information for parents and children in Greater Sudbury.  Please visit the website for a list of site locations.

Learning Disabilities Association of Sudbury is a charitable not-for-profit parent organization that supports the interests of students with learning disabilities.  Parents will find a number of practical tips, strategies and resources in the LDAS’ quarterly newsletters. 

• Winter 2006 Newsletter (Attachment: Winter 2006 Newsletter)
• Spring 2006 Newsletter (Attachment: Spring 2006 Newsletter)

Manitoulin - Sudbury Community Care Access Centre is the access point to home health services, school health services and information about/referral to community support services. 

Manitoulin - Sudbury District Social Services Administration Board provides full or partial child care subsidies to support parents in need.

Ministry of Children and Youth Services provides funding for child welfare, family intervention services, youth justice services, children's community support services, children's mental health services and child care. 

Ministry of Education provides students, parents, educators and administrators with information about the elementary and secondary school system in Ontario.  On their website, you will find curriculum descriptions, government documents and teaching resources.

my!sudbury.ca is a community portal providing community contact information to citizens of Greater Sudbury.  Find child care and education resources under their Learning and Working link.

Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies is a membership organization that represents 53 children's aid societies in Ontario.  OACAS’ provides parents, teachers and other child care providers with information and resources on child welfare issues.

Ontario Association of Optometrists provides parents
and teachers with information and tips about the eye health of children.   Visit their website to learn more about common vision problems, signs of vision problems and eye examinations.

Ontario Early Years Centres is a place where parents can find answers to frequently asked questions about Ontario Early Years Centres.  The website also features a library of information about the first six years of a child’s life.

Ontario Federation of Home and School Associations provides parents with training, leadership development, up-to-date education information and ideas to increase parental involvement in education.

Ontario School Council Support Centre supports the effectiveness of Ontario’s School Councils by providing members and school staff with relevant articles and publications, research reports and documents, suggestions, recommendations and more.

OPEN is a service of the Ministry of Education, where parents can sign up to receive information about education.  Through OPEN, parents can provide input on educational developments, policies and events.

Our Children Our Future is a community-based organization with an interest in nurturing healthy children, healthy families and healthy communities.  Their site provides information on current programs and services, events, publications and resources for parents.

Parent Involvement Centre is an informative website that provides principals, teachers, School Councils and other members with strategies, ideas and resources to improve parental involvement in the education system.

People for Education is a registered charity working to preserve the publicly funded education system in Ontario by connecting with government agencies, school boards, parents, community groups and other important partners in education.

School Advocate is an informative newspaper distributed to all School Councils in Ontario.  Articles include School Council Best Practices, School Council News and Healthy and Active Schools. 

Science North - Schools and Educators provides teachers with information about new programs and events, school field trips and curriculum links.

Sudbury and District Health Unit provides information, ideas and suggestions about making healthy choices and living healthy lifestyles.  The site also features information on the SDHU’s community programs for infants, children, adolescents, adults and seniors.

Sudbury Student Services Consortium works in partnership with the four area school boards to transport elementary and secondary students on school buses daily.  Please browse through the SSSC’s website for more information.

The Human League Association is a local, non-profit agency dedicated to the promotion of health, safety and welfare among youth.  In addition, the Human League Association offers student-related programs including The Breakfast Club for Kids and P.L.A.Y. (Positive Leisure Activities for Youth).

Wordplay - Jeux de mots is a community-based mental health clinic that provides preschool speech and language services to those living in the Sudbury/Manitoulin districts.  Call 705-522-6655 to contact the local clinic.  Explore the website to learn more about the program and available products. 

YMCA Sudbury Lincensed Child Care Services offers School Age Child Care and Nursery School programs, which provide daily routines and activities, including crafts, co-operative games and experiments.  For more information, please call 705-674-8315 ext 2137 or visit their website.