OAPCE PRESS RELEASE + NEWS BLOG

FOR Immediate Release

“Ontario’s PRO Grants Were Designed To Support Parent Engagement”

Toronto, ON – The Ontario Association of Parents in Catholic Education (OAPCE) is displeased with cuts made to Ontario's Parent Reaching Out (PRO) Grants designed to support parents in identifying barriers to parent engagement in their own community and to find local solutions to involve more parents in support of student achievement, human rights and equity, and well-being.

Since 2006, these PRO Grants increased parent engagement at the local, regional, and provincial levels. We have seen firsthand the power of engaging families and the school community. These grants allowed councils to bring in speakers on internet safety, mental wellbeing, literacy and math. Parent councils make use of the funds to reflect the needs of the community, encourage parents to get involved and to strengthen community participation in schools. Removing this funding will add stress to the work of parent councils, and another layer of bureaucracy by asking the board for money. OAPCE requests full information on behalf of parents and what plans are in place to allow school communities to come together, learn and share new ideas, and improve our education, while bridging the gap between school and home.

“Many parent councils have used the pro grant money year after year to bring in a series of speakers that provided knowledge, tools and skills to support our kids in the area of mental health and wellness. Topics included, dealing with anxiety, building resiliency, and bullying” as President Annalisa Crudo-Perri states -- Many parent councils hoped to use PRO Grant money this year to educate parents on online safety. So many parents don’t realize how vulnerable our kids are. Kids in grade 4 have phones with unrestricted access to all kinds of things. Where else except through PRO Grants can parent communities get these kinds of support?”

“Our school used PRO Grants for a parent presentation in the evening, offered a day time kids component. This allowed us parents to engage in a meaningful way about the topic with our kids. It was a fantastic way for us as parent to really help support and reinforce the learning with our kids on that topic”, as Executive Secretary Mariana Kutin Morais states. “Furthermore, PRO Grants allowed local school communities and parent councils to identify specific needs to support student achievement. Cutting off PRO Grants will significantly impact the ability for parent engagement in the communities that need it most.”

The Board provides leadership for carrying out OAPCE’s mission to promote publicly funded Catholic education, and is committed to ensure the parent voice is strong across the province, with great collaboration from our partners and valuable parent groups. For more information on how to get involved at the provincial level, please send us an email to oapce@oapce.org

OAPCE News - October 2019

President's Message:

A Welcome to all new and returning OAPCE Representatives from across the province! Your role as the OAPCE representative on your parent councils will ensure that we have two way communication with all parents ACROSS THE PROVINCE! We receive up to date and timely information about the issues of the Catholic education system of Ontario. We then provide our OAPCE Liaison Reps with this information to pass along to their School Councils. We also provide our Liaison Reps with information on the operations and activities of the OAPCE, upcoming education events taking place in different areas across the province, and requests for feedback on items on a variety of issues where we are asked to provide comment on behalf of the parents in our system.

We also hope to receive information in return from our Liaison Representatives regarding their local and regional achievements, celebrations/events, as well as areas of concern requiring clarification and/or recommendations that have been identified.

OAPCE Board of Directors met with the NDP Education Critic Marit Stiles, and former Minister of Education Mitzie Hunter. At our recent Board of Directors meeting we had a fulsome discussion with both representatives from their parties to discuss the issues surrounding Catholic Education, most notably the ongoing education changes and cuts. As advocates for Catholic Education in the province we will continue to ensure that the parent voice is heard and talk to anyone that will listen.

Minister of Edcucation Stephen Lecce was invited but could not attend; he has sent a video message which is able to be viewed on our website. We ask the Minister of Education to once again meet with our Board of Directors at our next meeting on November 30 in Toronto.

Annalisa Crudo-Perri, OAPCE President

OAPCE News from the Regions...

NEWS from OAPCE Halton:

Commissioning ceremony for Halton OAPCE reps was held on October 16^th. OAPCE reps from each Halton school council were welcomed officially as part of the OAPCE organization. Certificate of Appreciation was presented to the HCDSB with the Director of Education Pat Daly accepting, to recognize the partnership with OAPCE and collaboration to strengthen parent engagement across schools.

NEWS from OAPCE Toronto:

The TCDSB has moved to many online opportunities as a way to print less and be eco-friendly. This includes the important information of new CSPC Executives (Catholic School Parent Councils) and OAPCE Representatives. Through this new online format OAPCE is easily able to receive all OAPCE Toronto representatives names in a timely fashion, once again, ensuring that two way communication is achievable with all our parents!

Students, staff, Trustees and Director of Education Rory McGuckin, joined in the celebration of Mass in honour of the canonization of St. John Henry Newman after whom the school is named. TCDSB thanks Cardinal Thomas Collins for celebrating Mass to mark the occasion. Plans are underway to rename the school.

A special thank you was presented to Annalisa Crudo-Perri, President of OAPCE Toronto on behalf of the TCDSB and Board of Trustees at their last board meeting for her many years of service in Toronto. Annalisa will be transitioning into her Past President role in OAPCE Toronto, as the new President of Toronto, Dave Bennett will commence his term in January. Annalisa Crudo-Perri will remain the President of OAPCE Provincial.

NEWS from OAPCE Waterloo:

WCDSB - Build a Dream

On behalf of Build a Dream and Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB), we invite you to our FREE Build a Dream Young Woman and Parent/Guardian Career Discovery Expo for grades 7-12.

We are thrilled to welcome #DreamMakers from around the community to speak about their career journey’s and successes in a high-powered 30-minute workshop.

* EMPLOYER CAREER FAIR! Meet 50 employers and explore careers in Skilled Trades, STEM,Emergency Response, and Entrepreneurship.
* Conestoga College’s DREAMZONE! This interactive space is the perfect opportunity to get your hands dirty, build something and have fun!
* FEMALE MENTORS who will chat one-on-one with you and answer your questions.
* DRESS UP and SMILE at the PHOTOBOOTH!
* Prizes, Swag, Scholarships, a light evening meal, and MORE!

We will be highlighting opportunities in a number of careers to better assist you in making career informed career choices. As a community, we recognize the critical role parents/guardians play in the development and education of their child, which is why we are providing this opportunity for you to come with your daughter and learn more about careers in these growing sectors!

REGISTER HERE: https://buildadreamkw2019.eventbrite.ca

For additional information, please contact: info@webuildadream.com

NEWS from OAPCE York:

The York Board has taken a very active role in OAPCE over the last few years. They have taken the initiative to update the OAPCE liaison list by contacting all principals, asking them to update their OAPCE liaisons - The Board will be hosting another OAPCE Liaison meeting in the coming months. As an ongoing orientation for all new OAPCE representatives it will provide another opportunity for reps to understand their role and ensure there is two way communication between OAPCE and York Parents. With the ongoing support of the Director of Education, Ab Falconi, OAPCE York’s regional council is moving efficiently and successfully - We appreciate the ongoing support of Director Falconi.

From our Educational Partners...

Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA):
http://www.catholicteachers.ca/

Please check their website for up to date information. It has announced it will conduct a province-wide strike vote.

The OECTA Provincial Bargaining Team has met 17 times with representatives of the government and the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association. “We have reached a critical juncture in the bargaining process,” says Liz Stuart, President of OECTA.

Catholic teachers strongly oppose the Ford Conservative government’s regressive education agenda. The Minister has publicly said the government is prepared to make investments in the classroom, but at the bargaining table they appear determined to pursue their reckless cuts,” adds Stuart.

Catholic Principals Council of Ontario (CPCO):
https://cpco.on.ca/index.php/public/

CPCO is the professional association for Principals and Vice-Principals in Ontario's publicly-funded Catholic school system. CPCO also offers services to individuals from other organizations, provinces and countries around the world. CPCO meets regularly with its business and education partners as well as the Ontario Ministry of Education and the Ontario Institute for Education Leadership.

We leave you with a prayer for all parents who are true leaders in their schools, thank you for all that you do and we acknowledge your hard work and dedication.

A Leader's Prayer

Leadership is hard to define.
Lord, let us be the ones to define it with justice.
Leadership is like a handful of water.
Lord, let us be the people to share it with those who thirst.
Leadership is not about watching and correcting.
Lord, let us remember it is about listening and connecting.
Leadership is not about telling people what to do.
Lord, let us find out what people want.
Leadership is less about the love of power,
and more about the power of love.

Lord, as we continue to undertake the role of leader let us be
affirmed by the servant leadership we witness in your son Jesus.
Let us walk in the path He has set and let those who will, follow.

Let our greatest passion be compassion.
Our greatest strength love.
Our greatest victory the reward of peace.

In leading let us never fail to follow.
In loving let us never fail.

About OAPCE

As Ontario’s parent voice association, the Ontario Association of Parents in Catholic Education (OAPCE) is the authoritative voice of Ontario parents and guardians in Catholic education. We are the provincial voice that is authorized through the Education Act and Regulation 612, to represent families with children enrolled in the English Catholic education system. OAPCE is a vital connection between the Ministry of Education, Catholic District School Boards in Ontario, the Institute of Catholic Education, Ontario Catholic Trustees, Parish, Regional Parent’s Associations, School Councils and other valuable parent groups, and prominent advocate for Catholic education excellence and student success. OAPCE elevates the profile of a publicly funded Catholic system of education by providing opportunities for ongoing information sharing, resources, learning, networking and community building.

For media requests, please contact oapce@oapce.org