Quebec Federation of Home and School Associations
75 Years of Parental Involvement in Education (1944-2019)
MONTREAL, Oct. 31, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ -
A HISTORY OF ACHIEVEMENT
On November 9th, 2019, at Macdonald College Campus (Ceilidh Room) the Quebec Federation of Home and School Associations will celebrate 75 years of parental involvement in education and Home and School, as a social movement, will celebrate 100 years of activism in Quebec. Over the decades, hard-working women and men have seen many changes to the English educational system in Quebec, but have held fast to the main driving force of Home and School, which is to ensure the health and well-being of children and youth by fostering strong connections between the home and the school.
In 1944, the Quebec Provincial Council of Home and Schools merged with the Greater Montreal Federation of Home and School Associations to form the Quebec Federation of Home and School Associations (QFHSA). Forty-Five (45) established Home and School associations, some already 25 years old, came together under the leadership of an outstanding group of volunteers, many of whom were prominent leaders in their communities and were infused with a strong social conscience.
Home and School Creed 1947
That it should learn first-hand all school conditions and all community conditions affecting the child. That it should be a co-operative, non-partisan, non-sectarian, non-commercial effort to produce Canadian citizens who shall be capable of perpetuating the best of our national life. That it brings the men and women of the community into touch with one another, thus helping to break down prejudice and misunderstandings, and develops a common interest in the home, the school and the community.
First issues up on the agenda to address were related to the health and welfare of children, followed by fostering a sense of citizenship in Canadian youth, especially for new immigrants. In 1959, the Federation launched Operation Bootstraps, an ambitious study on the need for education reform in Quebec. When the government of Quebec introduced a Royal Commission of Inquiry on Education, known as the Parent Commission, the Federation was ready to present a 45,000-word brief, com-prising seventeen reports, with 176 recommendations, which was praised for its outstanding coher-ence and insight. Many of the Commission's recommendations echoed the Federation's brief, one of which was to set up a Department of Education. (Bill 60, 1964)
The late 60's saw QFHSA, through its Education Committee, take on an increasing role in responding to the emerging governmental language and education legislation. Countless briefs, position statements, resolutions and actions to both the provincial and federal governments over the years have stressed the rights of parents to choose the language of instruction for their children's education.
At the grassroots level, parents were engaged at their local school, bringing in nutrition, physical activity and cultural programs to enhance education. They championed literacy projects, hot lunch programs and manned school libraries in response to budget cutbacks.
QFHSA Mission Statement 2019
The Quebec Federation of Home and School Associations, Inc. is an independent, incorporated, not for profit volunteer organization dedicated to enhancing the education and general well-being of children and youth.
The Quebec Federation of Home and School Associations Inc. promotes the involvement of parents, students, educators and the community at large in the advancement of learning and acts as a voice for parents.
Today, the Quebec Federation of Home and School Associations is still organized on a local school basis, with a network of 85 associations extending from the Gaspè in the east, Gatineau to the west, La Tuque in the north and North Hatley to the south making up a body of more than 4000 families. These members assist teachers in the classroom and resource centers; they staff libraries, help supervise field trips, organize after-school extracurricular activities and, through various fundraising activities, provide schools with improved libraries, computers, lab equipment, music and art programs and opportunities for the wider community to come together through spaghetti suppers and Family Fun Days. In many and various ways, these parent volunteers not only enrich the educational experience of the children in the school but also contribute to the preservation and vitality of the English community surrounding them.
On November 9, the Quebec Federation of Home and School Associations (QFHSA) will be holding its annual Fall Conference for parents, featuring keynote speaker Geoff Kelley, Chair of the Alliance for the Promotion of English Language Education in Quebec and offering workshops at Macdonald High school in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellvue, QC. Later that evening, at Macdonald College Campus (Ceilidh Room) the QFHSA will be hosting an anniversary banquet featuring guest speakers: Leo La France, Cathrine Le Maistre, Rod MacLeod and Casey Stillwell. Honoured will be Roslyn Elementary, Willingdon Elementary, Royal Vale Elementary and Macdonald High, four of the longest running Home and School Associations in Quebec. Home and School celebrates100 years of volunteer parental involvement in Quebec! A History of Achievement, indeed! Something to celebrate! www.qfhsa.org
Special thanks to the Secretariat Responsible for Relations with English-speaking Quebecers for their financial support for the History of Achievement Anniversary Project and the on-going financial support of the Department of Canadian Heritage and the members of QFHSA.
SOURCE Quebec Federation of Home & School Associations
The Quebec Federation of Home and School Associations, 3285 Cavendish Blvd, Suite 560, Montreal, Quebec, H4B 2L9, 514-481-5619, qfhsa.org
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