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. Twenty Rainbow Schools will share a total of $18,000 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, as the first teachers in the home, are important partners in the learning process," said Jean Hanson, 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 Hanson. “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.”

Alexander Public School – Let’s Hear It for French!

French speaking university students from the Faculty of Education will read French storybooks from the school’s library and book bag program to produce audio CDs that students can take home along with the book. This will enable parents to enjoy rich French literature along with their children enrolled in the French Immersion program at Alexander Public School.  This audio resource will be a tremendous support for Anglophone parents who will have the opportunity to hear correct French pronunciation and fluency of the language as their children read along with the text.

Carl A. Nesbitt Public School – Parental Resource Centre

An area in the school’s library will be allocated as the “Parental Resource Centre”. Parents/guardians will have access to resources on a wide variety of topics including literacy, French Immersion, parenting, pre-teen and teen issues. The Ontario curriculum and textbooks will also be available. This will foster co-operation and collaboration between parents and teachers, which will have a positive impact on student achievement.

                       

Chelmsford Public School – Family Night

During Family Night, parents and children will be invited to participate in a variety of activities to promote reading, writing, math, computer skills and healthy living. Parents will learn skills they can use at home to further enhance what’s taught in school. This will have a positive impact on student success.

Churchill Public School – Understanding Exceptionalities

Churchill Public School will present a series of presentations for parents/guardians. Community professionals will be invited to address issues that affect students with exceptionalities, including behavioural challenges, autism, learning disabilities and physical challenges. Through the presentations, which will appeal to all parents, Churchill will build stronger bridges between learning at school and learning at home.

                                       

Cyril Varney Public School – Parent Numeracy Night

Why does the math that my child brings home look different from the math I remember?  Yesterday’s math focused on memorization. Today’s math focuses on understanding.  Cyril Varney’s Parent Numeracy Night will support parents in their understanding of why math instruction has changed and how they can support their children. The evening will introduce parents to the problem solving approach to teaching mathematical concepts and strategies to support numeracy instruction in the home.

Gatchell School – Comprehensive Parent Information Sessions

Gatchell School for students with special needs will host a series of four workshops for parents/guardians. The first workshop focused on the Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills (ABLLS) and the alternative curriculum. Other topics include a resource make and take session for parents, an agency fair and a barbecue and Open House being presented by the School Council.    

                           

Lansdowne Public School – School Community Family Nights

The Lansdowne Public School School Council will host three Family Nights – Family Literacy, Healthy Bodies/Healthy Minds and Celebrating our Cultures. Each evening will begin with a social time. Parents and children will then choose an interactive family learning activity, workshop or presentation related to the theme. School staff and community partners will present the activities.

Larchwood Public School – Life and Learning at Larchwood

Larchwood Public School will produce a video to introduce parents to the many activities enjoyed by all students, including nutrition breaks, Homework Club, sports events, resources, etc. There will be a focus on parent participation and assistance. Parents will gain a better understanding of their school and how they may contribute through a variety of volunteer opportunities.

               

Little Current Public School – Operation Parental Involvement

Parents/guardians of Little Current Public School will be engaged in the school through ongoing communication between school, home and the community at large. They will receive the support needed to make a difference, in a warm and welcoming environment.

MacLeod Public School – Technology Tools for Learning

At MacLeod Public School, parents will see how technology is being used in the classroom to deliver the curriculum in a fun and engaging way. Parents will be introduced to the tools being used to support student learning including interactive whiteboards, individual student response systems, document cameras, video and audio podcasts, classroom computers, computer labs and software applications.

Monetville Public School – Family Nights

Fostering community partnerships will be the focus of Family Nights at Monetville Public School. Parents and children will be invited to take part in activities in the gym and classrooms. Community agencies will also be invited to participate. Family Nights will strengthen the partnership between home, the school and the community, with students first and foremost.

Northeastern Elementary School – Family Forum

Parents will be invited to participate, along with their children, in a Family Forum. Community partners will be invited to present workshops. Workshops will focus on safety, student activities and local resources available to students and their families before, during and after school.    

Pinecrest Public School – Parent Resource Centre

Pinecrest Public School will create a resource centre where parents can access material on a broad range of topics that affect the academic, physical, emotional, social and mental development of adolescents. Parents will be given an opportunity to provide input on resources of interest. Appropriate videos, books and pamphlets will be made available. Resources will be updated regularly.       

Wembley Public School – Wembley Learning Olympics

Parents will develop an awareness of educational strategies that will support their child’s learning at home by participating in the Wembley Learning Olympics.  Parents and children will enjoy a variety of curriculum-based activities in many subject areas, including math, literacy, music, drama and physical education. They will set goals and complete tasks individually and on teams. Presented by the School Council, the evening will focus on strategies for student and parent engagement both at home and at school.   

           

Westmount Avenue Public School – French for Parents

Parents of French Immersion students at Westmount Avenue Public School will have an opportunity to learn the basics of the language. One-hour French classes will be offered weekly for 12 weeks. Two separate classes will be held to accommodate different schedules. By gaining a comfort level with the language, parents will be able to interact with their children when assisting them with homework assignments and model the benefits of knowing another language.

                       

R.L. Beattie Public School – Homework Help for Parents of French Immersion Students

R.L. Beattie Public School will provide parents with information on how to help their children with homework. Tips and suggestions will be outlined in a brochure. A workshop will offer specific strategies to complement the brochure and address any concerns parents may have. The information may include a mini-vocabulary of common words and a pronunciation guide. This will further engage parents in their child’s learning in French Immersion.

                       

Espanola High School – Reaching Out To First Nations Communities

Transportation will be provided to and from Espanola High School’s two First Nations communities for parent-teacher conferences in March. Teachers will also participate in professional learning on one of the First Nation reserves. This will further engage parents in their child’s learning and give teachers and parents more opportunities to build positive relationships focused on student success.

       

Lively District Secondary School – Parent Workshop/Retreat   

Lively District Secondary School, in partnership with the Whitefish Lake First Nations Band Council, will host a workshop for parents, grandparents and caregivers to establish support mechanisms at home for school. Dave Jones of Turtle Concepts will facilitate the workshop to identify and break down barriers and build bridges to support student achievement. Advocacy strategies will be developed for the parent advisory group.

           

Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School – Use and abuse of the Internet

Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School will host an evening information session for parents/guardians on the powers and pitfalls of the Internet. The session will give parents tools to help their teenage children maximize the potential of this powerful academic tool. The session will focus on the proper use of the Internet, preventing Internet addiction and cyber-bullying.

Sudbury Secondary School – Character Counts

Sudbury Secondary School will host an evening presentation focused on anti-bullying and character development. The session will empower parents to discuss anti-bullying strategies with their children. Parents will also be encouraged to work in partnership with the school to build an understanding of bullying behaviour and the effects of bullying on student success.

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Media Contact:

Jean Hanson, Director of Education,

Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171, ext. 7215.