Rainbow Schools receive grants to enhance parent involvement

Innovative parent involvement projects are being implemented in Rainbow Schools thanks to funding provided by the Ministry of Education’s Parent Engagement Office. Thirteen Rainbow Schools will share a total of $11,200 in Parents Reaching Out Grants to support School Council and Parent Involvement Committee initiatives to further engage parents/guardians in their child’s learning.

"Parents are important partners in the learning process," said Norm Blaseg, Director of Education for Rainbow District School Board. “Research has shown that the involvement of parents and guardians in their child’s education has a positive impact on student achievement and overall school performance.” 

While each project varies from school to school, the initiatives have one thing in common – they are intended to enhance communications between the school and the home and help to create a welcoming environment for parents/guardians. “We commend School Councils for hosting activities to further engage parents/guardians in Rainbow Schools,” added Director Blaseg. “With their efforts and the support of the Ministry of Education, we have a number of exciting projects taking place in our schools once again this year.”

Algonquin Road Public School

Family Numeracy Night

Mathematics instruction has changed. The focus is on problem solving, reasoning and communication, not memorization. The Family Numeracy Night at Algonquin Road Public School will introduce parents/guardians to the teaching and learning of mathematics through problem solving.  Parents/guardians will be co-learners in their child’s mathematics classroom and will gain a greater understanding of the rationale for differentiating mathematics instruction.

Assiginack Public School

Parent/Family Resource Library

A Family Resource Centre will be established at Assiginack Public School. Parents/guardians will have access to a variety of resources on important topics including literacy, numeracy, parenting, positive discipline, character development, assisting children with special needs and bullying, among others.  An official opening ceremony will take place in the spring of 2011.  All community members will be invited to attend.


Central Manitoulin Public School

Candid Carousels


Central Manitoulin Public School will host a carousel evening in April that will feature several workshops for parents.  Some of the topics include healthy eating, cyber bullying, school councils, boys’ literacy, numeracy, literacy, assessment and evaluation, tips on how to help your child succeed at school, character education, assistive technology, learning styles and learning disabilities.  Parents will gain a broader knowledge of Ministry and school initiatives in order to help their children achieve in school.

Chelmsford Public School

Parent Engagement Resource and Workshops

Chelmsford Public School will establish a parent resource centre to provide material on important topics including parenting, positive discipline, aggressive behaviour, special needs, bullying and others. To enhance family communication and build a strong school community, a Family Math Night will also be presented.  Families will have the opportunity to participate in a learning activity, workshop and presentation.  All members of the community will be welcome to participate.

Gatchell School for Students with Special Needs   

BRIDGE (Building Efficacious Individuals Decreasing Gaps in Education) program

Gatchell School will invite parents/guardians to a series of sessions designed to support them in their role. These sessions will be parent-driven and may focus on topics such as developing social skills, setting behavioural goals, parenting practices, child development and advocacy. While parents are engaged in discussion, their children will be involved in social activities such as games, sports, cooking, and arts and crafts. At the end of each session, families will join together for social time.


Walden Public School

Family Math

It’s Back to School Night for the parents/guardians of Walden Public School!  Parents will learn how they can best support math learning at home by engaging in fun problem-solving activities with their children.  A variety of math games will be presented that reinforce mathematical thinking and support the school’s focus on math this year.  Who knew math homework could be so much fun!

Lansdowne Public School   

Lansdowne School Community Family Nights

The Lansdowne Public School School Council will host two family nights to enhance communication and build a strong school community.  Each evening will begin with a meal.  Families will then have the option of participating in an interactive family learning activity, workshop, or presentation related to a theme. All members of the Lansdowne Public School community are welcome to attend. Childcare will be provided for younger children. Transportation will also be provided, as required.

Larchwood Public School   

Larchwood’s Very Important Partners In Literacy

The Parents Reaching Out grant at Larchwood Public School will focus on developing positive relationships with families and improving student achievement. Families will be given resources to support their children at home, working with the school in achieving its reading goal for 2010-2011. Families will have access to books and resources to encourage children to read. Parents/guardians will be invited to a literacy evening where they will learn strategies to help their children become better readers.


Markstay Public School   

Inclusion Means Everyone

Markstay Public School will nurture parental involvement and create a more inclusive school environment by facilitating participation and engaging parents/guardians in a number of school events. Transportation will be provided to events as required, scheduled at times most convenient for parents/guardians to attend. These targeted evening sessions will improve and strengthen ties to the community.

Monetville Public School

Monetville Family Nights 2010-11

Transportation will be provided to Monetville Public School families to encourage parental involvement in school activities, including academic evenings, movie nights and student-led conferences.  There is currently no public transportation system in the French River area. This service, therefore, will give all families an equal opportunity to participate in all aspects of school life.


Princess Anne Public School   

West End Community School

Students, parents, staff and community members will be invited to a special evening to learn more about the new school being built at the Princess Anne Public School site which will become home to students from Princess Anne Public School and Wembley Public School next fall. Both the Wembley and Princess Anne school communities will come together to build a strong coalition to facilitate the transition into one school.  Several activities will be presented to engage everyone in a spirit of fun, friendship and community building.

R.L. Beattie Public School   

Parents of Picky Eaters

The School Council at R.L. Beattie Public School will organize workshops on healthy eating, healthy living called "Parents of Picky Eaters".  With the balanced school day, parents are looking for creative ways of packing healthy lunches. These workshops will give them food for thought.

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 674-3171, ext. 7217.