What to Expect as Chair A cooperative relationship with the principal and school staff for the betterment of the school as a whole. Sometimes hard but very rewarding work! Making a difference in your community. Becoming a member of a large network of people who are dedicated to making education the best it can be.

A Guide for School Councils https://www.edu.gov.on.ca

What is a PIC? PIC = Parent Involvement Committee Created by the Ministry of Education in 2009 Education Act requires a PIC at every board Support School Councils Gives parent input on Board work and policies GECPIC meets monthly during the school year

What we do? Advise Board from a parent perspective Champion parental engagement Contribute at meeting of PIC Raise common parental issues with Board Support parents navigating the school system Give feedback on policy, programs and strategies Communicate with school councils Help parents support learning at home and school Work on topics that affect more than one school

What GECPIC can do for you? Provide guidance on procedural issues Provide direction to find answers to questions Assist in conflict resolution Help you navigate the Board structures Share best practices for engaging parents Advocate on behalf of parents Direct link to Board senior staff and Trustees A sounding board for your ideas and concerns

Activities

Meetings with speakers and presentations Health and Wellness Student Success Team Individual Pathway Plans Career Cruising Specialist High Skills Major OYAP CO-OP Education Re-Engagement Initiative SWAC (School Within a College) JK Registration Parent and Family Literacy Centres Essex Region Conservation Authority Learning Disabilities Association

WORKSHOPS

Provide funding for the Mental Health Series Are part of the Mental Health Planning Team

Videos of the Mental Health Seminars can be viewed on By typing publicboardPD in the search bar.

Representation at the Ministry of Education and People for Education

How PICs help Education Systems? The benefits of parent-school partnerships are: Improved student achievement Reduced absenteeism Better behavior More parent confidence in child’s schooling

GECPIC Membership We are a parent-led committee. The chair/co-chairs are parents and the majority of members are also parents. For parents to qualify for election or appointment, they must have a child enrolled in a school of the board. All parents are welcome however, there is only one vote per school. The PIC appoints up to three community members. Each Parent Involvement Committee decides, based on its local needs, who else to include, such as a principal, teacher and support staff. The committee meets at least four times a year.

What can you do for us? Talk to us. Tell us what works, what doesn’t and what you need help with. Spread the word about GECPIC! Link the PIC page on the board website to your school’s website & newsletter Use news items on our GECPIC site in the school’s monthly newsletter Visit us. Anyone can observe a PIC meeting. Check the board website for details.

Greater Essex County Parent Involvement Committee Where to find us? Greater Essex County Parent Involvement Committee @GECPIC http://gecpic.wix.com/gecpic Publicboard.ca Parents Tab Parent Involvement Tab

Helpful Resources

www.publicboard.ca The school board website is the first place to look for information on the Greater Essex County District School Board. Includes links to individual school sites and parent involvement information.

www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/ Information on all education in the province of Ontario Includes information regarding the curriculum and major programs and initiatives

What parents can do to help their children succeed in school A guide for parents and schools

Guides for helping your child in Reading/Writing, Tip Sheets on Reading, Mathematics and Homework in many other languages Guides for helping your child in Reading/Writing, Mathematics and French Immersion

Other tip sheets and booklets in many languages. www.ontario.ca/EDUparents Other tip sheets and booklets in many languages.

AERO Alternative Education Resources Ontario is a web-based digital repository operated by the Ministry of Education in partnership with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. They provide alternate format text to students with perceptual disabilities who attend publicly funded educational institutions in Ontario. AERO enables students with perceptual disabilities to access educational materials in a format they require in a timely manner.

Free or low cost publications shipped directly to you www.ontario.ca/publications Free or low cost publications shipped directly to you Many can be ordered in bulk

www.Ontario.ca/HomeworkHelp FREE online help in math for students in Grades 7-10 with certified teachers.

www.peopleforeducation.ca People for Education is your strong voice for public education. They conduct vital research, answer parents’ questions, make policy recommendations and ensure there is broad coverage of education issues in the media.

www.tvoparents.tvo.org TVO Parents includes videos and information on a variety of topics including school & learning, health & development, as well as social & emotional issues. Links to Homework Zone and TVO Kids

www.werkidsmentalhealth.ca/home A collaborative project designed to provide resources about children and youth mental health and addiction issues for educators, service providers, community partners, parents and students in Windsor-Essex. Links to community supports and services, organized in the following age categories: 0-6 years, 6-12 years, 12 -18 years and over can be accessed easily by clicking on the logo of each service provider.

We R Mental Health Community Links

www.ldawe.ca/index.php Assist children, youth, and adults with learning disabilities, and those who support them, through information sharing, support, and relevant programs. Help further the educational, social, recreational, legal, medical, vocational, and employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities.

www.dyslexia.eriemasons.org Receive one-to-one tutoring in one hour sessions, twice weekly, for approximately 8 months (34 weeks) during the school year.  Use the Orton-Gillingham approach which is based on a technique of studying and teaching language, understanding the nature of human language, the mechanisms involved in learning, and the language-learning processes in individuals. The child experiences success in every lesson, gaining confidence as well as skill. Self esteem improves, sometimes dramatically, and success in school follows.

GREAT BOOKS