There are two new awards this year: Early Childhood Educator of the Year and Full-Day Kindergarten Team of the Year for a total of eight categories.

Know someone you would like to nominate? Find out more here!

The working group will meet two or three times – by phone or in small regional groups – during the winter and spring of 2012.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Brian Evoy at brianevoyaloapcedirector@gmail.com by January 25, 2012.

If you would like any more information about EQAO and its resources for parents, please visit www.eqao.com,  contact the agency’s information centre at 1-888-327-7377 or email at email@eqao.com.

Here also is the link to Padre Mike’s thank you to the students for the letter program: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFsu98Yfvkk&feature=email.

With thanks,

Aimee

Travelling Through Transition: Day one – Here We Come!

“Behold, children are a gift from the lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward” (Psalm 127:3-5) In the words of my Irish Language: BEIR BUA (May You Succeed!!)

Hurry up or you’ll miss the bus! Where is my backpack? Did you brush your teeth? I wonder who’ll be in my class?

This is what might be heard in Catholic homes across Ontario on Tuesday Sept 6th, day one of the new school year.

Parents will be scurrying madly in preparations for their children’s return. Anxiety levels will be at an all time high following a summer of “routine de-programming”

What awaits your child? Transition…Transition…Transition.

Students will be introduced to some or all of the following transitions: A change in teacher, classroom, grade, school, community, curriculum, and classmates.

Parents are prone to worry all day while they await the supper time analysis from their child. Remember that they have experienced a day filled with a Tsunami of transition. Your response should be reflective, as you listen attentively to their day and tempered with your understanding of the natural first day jitters and uncertainty.

The key to a successful year is based on our Catholic sense of belonging. The Irish phrase: “Cead Mile Failte” – A Hundred Thousand Welcomes endorses the importance of welcomeness.

Your child requires a warm welcome from the moment he/she sets foot in their school. Their uniquely individual needs must be affirmed, be they learning, or intellectual disabilities, personality quirks, interests or challenges. It is essential to remember that, “God created us in his image and likeness” (Genesis 1:27)

Belonging is key to building self-esteem. Students’ levels vary on the self-esteem measurement scale. They require different infusion amounts of T.L.C. (Tender, Loving, Care) in a classroom that welcomes and validates the variety of learners. This process is an ongoing creation that empowers your child to be successful because they feel valued as integral members of a gospel values based class community. A place where God can look down and see his value for each human life perpetuated in the daily life of our school. Transition is defined as change. Change is as we know constant. That first day parents will attempt to navigate the turbulent waters of the school system. Their success will require compassion, understanding, patience, and unconditional love, the same offerings given to us by the Good Lord.

Dr.Ashleigh Molloy
Director Transformation Education Institute
OAPCE Lifetime Member

We support the statements made by the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario on this topic and respect them as the official voice of our Catholic Faith and Church here in Ontario.

We support our partners in Catholic Education, as we work together to ensure our schools are environments of safety, respect and love for not just our students, but all the staff and visitors we welcome into our schools.

We strongly encourage parents to become familiar and knowledgeable about what the Equity and Inclusivity Policy looks like in their particular school board – ask questions, seek clarification if you are not sure.  Please do not accept the “coffee shop talk” as gospel on this topic, get the facts from credible sources actively involved in your school board.

We strongly encourage school board administrations and staff to continue inviting, involving and informing parents of details surrounding initiatives that support this policy in your schools and communities.  Parents are the first teachers of their children and look to the schools for support when a student experiences difficulties – whether with understanding curriculum being taught, homework completion, social situations and interactions, mental or physical health concerns or any number of issues. There cannot be just a sexual orientation centred focus – let us not be side tracked from the most important issue, the wellbeing of the student, period.

We at OAPCE intend to continue the positive collaborative work we do within our catholic education community and outwardly with the Ministry of Education and our community partners as we move ever forward creating the supports needed for our students and sharing this information with parents in an accurate and timely manner.

Volunteer Parent of the Year Award
Kim Armstrong – St. Luke Catholic School
Peterborough Victoria Northumberland & Clarington CDSB

Glorya Nanne Award
Susan Walker
Dufferin-Peel CDSB

Father Mazerolle Award
Michele Sparling – St. Luke Catholic School
Halton CDSB

Honorary Lifetime Membership Award
Brian Evoy
Algonquin & Lakeshore CDSB

Our students, parents and parishes are truly blessed to have such wonderfully supportive, spirit filled partners working to continue the great works happening across the province as we all walk the path Christ laid out for us.

Congratulations to all those who were nominated and our utmost thanks to those who did the nominating, bringing to the forefront these most deserving individuals and assisting us to “celebrate parent partnerships!”

Awards will be presented during our Celebration and Awards dinner at the Holiday Inn Burlington Hotel & Conference Centre on Saturday May 14th.

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/parents/reaching.html

Click here to find out more about the event.

If you are planning on joining us this May, please register here.

2011 AGM and Conference Poster