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| Ontario School Council Network |
| Interesting Information |
| Parents In Action |
| This page was created on January 4, 2004. |
| This page was updated on January 4, 2004. |
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| "Hi Brenda, I was just going through all the papers I have accumulated lately and came a cross the flyer for the network you've developed that I probably picked up at the People for Education Conference in November. After having looked at the website, I am very impressed; it seems like a fabulous idea that is needed. I have recently started working with three schools in the Jane Finch area (Toronto) helping immigrant parents become more actively involved in their children's schools. I will be facilitating leadership skills development training, providing information sessions about working in the Canadian school system, and developing a booklet describing the school system translated into multiple languages. I am also the community representative on the three school councils where this project is being piloted. I will most certainly pass the information about this network on to the parents at each of the school councils, as well as to the principals and I would love to be on your mailing list. I have attached a description of my project (description is below); feel free to add it to your website if you deem it appropriate." Happy Holidays, Rebecca _________________________________ Rebecca Rabinovitch Community Development Worker Delta Family Resource Centre 2721 Jane Street, Unit 14 Toronto, ON M3L 1S3 (416) 747-1172 ext. 79 [email protected] |
| Parents in Action Overview Background Based on community consultations and stakeholder interviews with local elementary schools it came to our attention that there was insufficient representation on School Councils among visible minorities and newcomer parents. Moreover, based on interactions with the community thus far, it is evident that the lack of school involvement stems in part from a lack of understanding regarding how parents can actively engage in their children�s education. Parents in Action is a new pilot project funded by Canadian Heritage, which will run for 2 years (October 2003 - September 2005) and will work in collaboration with three local elementary schools: Firgrove, Sheppard and Yorkwoods Public Schools. Objectives 1) to help parents increase their comfort in dealing with the schools so they may advocate on their children�s behalves 2) to help parents make the School Council a more effective voice for their children�s education Method 1) Leadership skills training and information sessions on such topics as: - understanding the Canadian school system - the role of the School Council - organizing in your community around issues of importance - learning how to effectively work with principals and teachers 2) A train-the-trainer model will be incorporated into the leadership skills training: those parents who have been trained in developing leadership skills will then be able to teach such skills to members of their respective communities. 3) The development of education kits to be distributed throughout the Toronto District School Board. These booklets will simplify the school system, describe the pivotal role of School Councils and it will be translated into multiple languages. Impact on the Community Through leadership skills development training parents will be better equipped with capacity, knowledge and confidence to advocate on their children�s behalves, become more participatory in the decision-making process of the schools, and mobilize their communities to develop and provide necessary services and programs. For more information please contact the Project Coordinator, Rebecca Rabinovitch, at Delta Family Resource Centre: 416-747-1172, ext. 79 or [email protected] |