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. 

Twelve Rainbow Schools will share a total of $10,425 in Parents Reaching Out Grants to support School Council initiatives to further engage parents/guardians in their child’s learning. Rainbow District School Board’s Parent Involvement Committee has also received funding to provide information to parents/guardians, students and staff about children’s mental health. 

"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. “We also commend the Parent Involvement Committee for supporting student well-being.” 

During October, parents/guardians at Algonquin Road Public School were invited to participate in an evening of Math Talk. Parents/guardians had an opportunity to speak with teachers and guest consultants about how best to support their children’s learning at home. Teachers talked about how mathematics in Rainbow Schools is taught in order to help parents/guardians bridge the gap between their own experience and current research on fostering a growth mindset for learning mathematics.

Assiginack Public School will focus on embracing diversity as it continues to build a strong partnership between home and school. Parents/guardians will be invited to attend a variety of presentations promoting a safe, inclusive and accepting school community. Everyone will enjoy a multicultural potluck dinner. 

Students and their families will attend a two-hour workshop hosted by Ruby Lougheed-Yawney, Senior Financial Advisor and Insurance Consultant. Participants will enhance their knowledge of money management, an important life skill. Two sessions will be available – one for students in Grades 3 to 5 and another for students in Grades 6 to 8. Money Management for Kids will support math learning in school.

Singer/songwriter Errol Lee will offer engaging workshops for students and parents/guardians at Central Manitoulin Public School.  The focus will be on character education and how children and adults can be heroes through empathy and respect for others.  Families and the school community will be invited to use common language as they build a positive school environment together.

Support will be provided for transportation, childcare and incidental costs when parents/guardians are invited to Lansdowne Public School. The school will also organize workshops and events. When families can participate in school meetings and activities without having to worry about their younger children or the cost of getting there, they can focus on their child’s education and build a rapport with their child’s teacher and the school.

Students will create a video to support the transition from elementary school to secondary school. The video will enhance Lasalle’s High School 101 presentations at area feeder schools and will be featured on the school website. Students and parents/guardians will learn more about the many options available at Lasalle Secondary School to help choose pathways and programs that match student needs.

Parents/guardians and children of Levack Public School will attend an after-school “Food Spectacular” to learn about the importance of healthy foods and balanced nutrition. They will make a healthy dish from fresh ingredients. Parents/guardians will receive support, encouragement and resources to create tasty, healthy, affordable lunches.

Northeastern Elementary School will promote physical wellbeing while increasing community participation. Parents will enjoy an evening Zumba class with their children. This will get families into the school to see the many activities taking place and how they can get involved. Northeastern will also increase parent involvement in the Grade 8 graduation to support and celebrate students as they make the transition to secondary school.

Queen Elizabeth Public School will host two math sessions. Families will learn easy, fun math games that build math skills. When played regularly, math games improve problem solving, reasoning and computational strategies. Parents/guardians will also learn how to increase student mathematical learning at home by getting children involved with cooking. This session, presented in partnership with the Sudbury and District Health Unit, will also highlight the importance of making healthy meals together.

The School Council and staff at Valley View Public School will host a Spring Planting and Nutrition information night to engage parents/guardians in their children’s learning and wellbeing. Speakers will be invited to present ideas about healthy eating and organic gardening, including harvesting and storing. Families will receive tips and planting materials to encourage them to grow their own gardens. This initiative complements the school’s Go Green efforts.

The School Council at Walden Public School will host an interactive evening of events designed to help parents/guardians support their children at home and partner with the school. Parents/guardians will explore a number of topics. They will gain information about learning styles, assistive technology to support reading and writing, as well as various ways to motivate and encourage their children on their journey of learning.

Parents/guardians will be invited to a series of workshops to introduce them to Teaching for Understanding in Mathematics.  During the first session, they will join their children during a math class to see how problem solving builds understanding and how math games build fact fluency. The second session will be designed in consultation with families to continue to build their understanding of effective practices in the teaching and learning of numeracy.

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,

Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,

Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171, ext. 7217.