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Blog Posts

Fun with Phonetics

Posted by Sam on June 9, 2013 at 9:18am 0 Comments

Thinking about the 3 Rs: reading, ‘riting, and ‘rithmatic and how their forced spelling, to meet the three “R” requirement, seems to condone a kind of elected ignorance.

If we put the letters back we get “W”, “A”, and “R”; or we get “R”, “A”, and “W”. RAW WAR. There is the subliminal suggestion that what we have really been having our children learn is raw war. Under all our educative efforts is this idea of competitive obliteration.

There is a…

Continue

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Anyone is welcome to post their views and opinions in the People for Education Online Community. Comments in this community are the opinions of individual members, and may not reflect the views of People for Education.

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Summer's coming!

Thanks to Sheila Stewart for this summery photo! Nice to see a P4E presence in a Thunder Bay backyard (although the black flies made the visit short, evidently!).

Discussions

'Memorable Moments....'

Started by Anelia Coppes in Parent Engagement/Involvement/Communication 4 hours ago. 0 Replies

 With the end of the school year drawing near we find ourselves reflecting over past events. This may not be an item of discussion but more a time to share the positive.After nine years last week I had my last meeting as School Council Chair.  We…Continue

Summer Learning Loss - What do you think?

Started by Jacqui Strachan in Students 10 hours ago. 0 Replies

Ahhhh, summer. As the school year comes to an end, it is that time of year when we start to hear the warnings about summer learning loss or “brain drain”. There are many…Continue

Awards Ceremonies in Schools

Started by Sheila Stewart in Students. Last reply by Sheila Stewart Jun 9. 13 Replies

As a parent, I have had many questions and concerns about awards and award ceremonies over the years as my children moved through the grades.  I often felt I was in the minority with my concerns, and it was often difficult to articulate my concerns…Continue

Applied and academic - are we streaming kids in high school?

Started by Annie Kidder in Education Policy and Government BIlls. Last reply by Robert D on Thursday. 41 Replies

Over the last decade, Ontario has had great success increasing high school graduation rates and sending more graduates on to university, college, or apprenticeships. But some students still do not share equally in that educational success, and many…Continue

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Meet the Moderators!

 Anelia Coppes

Anelia is the co-chair of the Near North District School Board Parent Involvement Committee, school council chair at Parry Sound High School and a school council member at the elementary school.  The mother of four children, Anelia has been actively involved at her Board, attending board and committee meetings, giving parent input on current Education issues. Anelia is a member of the People for Education Network, and you’ll often find her giving a warm welcome to new community members.  Follow her on Twitter at @aneliacoppes.

 Annie Kidder

Annie is the Executive Director of People for Education. The mother of two daughters, Annie has worked for the last 16 years to keep public education in the public eye. She attended 12 schools between kindergarten and grade 12, which may have been how she acquired her passion for public education. Annie is the recipient of numerous awards for her advocacy work. She has spoken at conferences across the country and is regularly quoted in the media as an expert on education issues. Follow her on Twitter at @anniekidder.

 Heather Robinson

Heather has been actively involved in education for many years, serving on her school council, Regional School Council, and the Kawartha Pine Ridge Parent Involvement Committee.  She is the mother of two boys, and knows how to get a good discussion going here in the community.  Heather is a member of the People for Education Network, and when she’s not talking education, she enjoys chocolate, knitting and Criminal Minds.  Follow her on Twitter at @UberParent.

 Sheila Stewart

Our northernmost moderator, Sheila is a member of the Lakehead District School Board Parent Involvement Committee and the People for Education Network.  She is a mother of two daughters and works part-time as a literacy/ESL teacher supporting adult newcomers.  Sheila is committed to connecting and collaborating with all education stakeholders in support of student learning.  Sheila enjoys connecting other parents and educators in conversations, and can regularly be found tweeting education gems from different corners of the world. Follow her on Twitter at @sheilaspeaking.

 Jacqui Strachan

Jacqui is the Director of Outreach and Parent Support at People for Education and school council chair at her high school. The mother of two boys, Jacqui loves to connect with parents. At P4E, she helps to develop parent tip sheets, coordinates the People for Education Network, provides parent support, and runs workshops to help engage parents in their children’s education.  When she’s not doing that, she’s either tatting or trying to keep up with Sheila on Twitter.  Follow her on Twitter at @jacquistrachan.

 
 
 

Members

Latest Activity

A discussion started by Anelia Coppes was featured

'Memorable Moments....'

 With the end of the school year drawing near we find ourselves reflecting over past events. This may not be an item of discussion but more a time to share the positive.After nine years last week I had my last meeting as School Council Chair.  We had a dinner meeting prepared by students at the school and a surprise to me.... a fabulous steak dinner was served with creme brulee for dessert. I will add it has been an ongoing joke with Administration on different occasions when asked,'how can we…See More
4 hours ago
A discussion started by Jacqui Strachan was featured

Summer Learning Loss - What do you think?

Ahhhh, summer. As the school year comes to an end, it is that time of year when we start to hear the warnings about summer learning loss or “brain drain”. There are many articles and suggestions for parents to help offset 'learning loss' over the summer months. Advertisements for resources and activities to support summer learning are also in full force.Along with the…See More
5 hours ago
Jacqui Strachan posted a status
"Nominate your fave community health leader for Health Nexus' 3M Health Leadership Award. http://ning.it/16AcbWY"
8 hours ago
Jacqui Strachan replied to Gay Stephenson's discussion 'Idea exchange to promote healthy eating and increased activity for our children!'
"Do you know a community leader who is working to improve the health and well-being of their community? You can nominate them for the 3M Health Leadership Award, presented by Health Nexus... Many leaders go unrecognized but their efforts are felt…"
8 hours ago
Jacqui Strachan posted a discussion

Summer Learning Loss - What do you think?

Ahhhh, summer. As the school year comes to an end, it is that time of year when we start to hear the warnings about summer learning loss or “brain drain”. There are many articles and suggestions for parents to help offset 'learning loss' over the summer months. Advertisements for resources and activities to support summer learning are also in full force.Along with the…See More
10 hours ago
Janet McCarrol replied to Annie Kidder's discussion 'Bill 115, teachers, parents, students and the province'
"I get what you're saying about space / environment and class size Robert.  My experience at the elementary level however has been that groups over 30 can be difficult to manage, not only because of number but because of varying levels of…"
Saturday
Robert D replied to Annie Kidder's discussion 'Bill 115, teachers, parents, students and the province'
"A lecture hall is NOT the same thing as an appropriately sized classroom and that is NOT what I am suggesting. A class of 20 in a room that can comfortably accommodate 10 in groups of three is MORE likely to lead to lecture than a classroom built…"
Saturday
Ken Tone replied to Annie Kidder's discussion 'Bill 115, teachers, parents, students and the province'
"Here's my "research".  I didn't like the huge lecture halls in university but it was obvious that some profs just loved to lecture on and on with their theories and opinions and without input from students.  They never…"
Saturday
Robert D replied to Summer's discussion 'Preservice Teachers'
"Ken Tone has made a few observations regarding parent involvement that I think need addressing: 1. What is the motivation for the parent to be involved? Is the motivation adversarial--is the person there to evaluate the teacher? Is it to be…"
Saturday
Robert D replied to Annie Kidder's discussion 'Bill 115, teachers, parents, students and the province'
"There's a lot of hype about small classroom sizes but, IIRC, the research shows you're better off with well trained and skilled teachers than with small classes. That said, also IIRC, the younger grades do benefit from smaller class…"
Saturday
Janet McCarrol replied to Annie Kidder's discussion 'Bill 115, teachers, parents, students and the province'
"Robert,  I am curious.  How is it you think that a class size of 35 is suitable?  How does one differentiate and provide effective and meaningful feedback for such  a large group.  I just completed an AQ course in Drama at…"
Saturday
Robert D replied to Annie Kidder's discussion 'Bill 115, teachers, parents, students and the province'
"Another consideration is that "tuition" in public schools is $10 000/pupil whereas in independent schools in Ontario tuition is at least double that if not more. Try finding an independent/private school that charges $10 000/pupil. Plus,…"
Friday

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