Boys & Girls Club Message

** FREE** 2020 Virtual Summer Programming

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Summerside and Wellington are proud to announce the new FREE Virtual Program starting July 6^th. Registration is open to the public for ages 6-15. Spaces are limited, be sure to register your child today! Group sessions will be held daily with times to be determined based on your needs!!!

This is an exciting summer of firsts… it’s our first time running virtual programming, it’s our first time seeing how we can inject joy into each day for kids who have been affected most by COVID-19, and its our first time doing it all from behind a computer screen.

A few of the activities that will be apart of the program

• Interactive games with other members
• Murder mysteries
• Trivia
• Team building sessions
• Physical activity

AND MUCH MORE!!

If you have any questions or to register a child today, contact Zack at 902 436 9403 or email zculleton@ssidebgclub.com to receive a registration form which can be emailed back or dropped off at our Summerside location.

Survey for Parents

The Department of Education and Lifelong Learning and education authorities are seeking feedback from parents, educational assistants, and youth service workers regarding the delivery of individual programming and respite services offered to students with special educational needs during our recent period of home learning due to COVID-19.

Your participation in the survey is important and very much appreciated. Results will be used only to identify the strengths and challenges of the programming provided.

• The survey takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes to complete.
• Your responses are anonymous and confidential. There is no way to see your name or email address.
• Results go directly to survey coordinators at the Department of Education and Lifelong Learning and are recorded on a secure site.
• The survey will close at 4 PM on Tuesday, June 23.

• The link to the survey is https://forms.gle/QpSah14o9Y8L9GsS8

Erin Johnston

Assistant Director, Public Schools Branch

Important Survey for Parents

The Department of Education and Lifelong Learning and education authorities are seeking feedback from parents, educational assistants, and youth service workers regarding the delivery of individual programming and respite services offered to students with special educational needs during our recent period of home learning due to COVID-19.

Your participation in the survey is important and very much appreciated. Results will be used only to identify the strengths and challenges of the programming provided.• The survey takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes to complete.
• Your responses are anonymous and confidential. There is no way to see your name or email address.
• Results go directly to survey coordinators at the Department of Education and Lifelong Learning and are recorded on a secure site.
• The survey will close at 4 PM on Tuesday, June 23.

• The link to the survey is https://forms.gle/QpSah14o9Y8L9GsS8

Erin Johnston

Assistant Director, Public Schools Branch

 

Message from the Director

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Dear Parents/Guardians, Students, and Staff;

The Public Schools Branch would like to send congratulations and best wishes to our 2020 Graduates. We want to congratulate all our grade 12 graduates on their many accomplishments during their education journey these last 12 years. We hope they enjoy the recognitions and ceremonies that are being planned for them next week to mark this major achievement.

We live in interesting times that we will always remember. Our 2020 graduates will certainly never forget the year they graduated. Even though our graduates are leaving public education during a worldwide pandemic, they have remained focused, pushed forward, and developed skills of resiliency that will carry them well into the future. Their determination and resolve has been inspiring.

This is a time for our graduates, to reflect on and celebrate their accomplishments, efforts, and actions with their parents, family and friends. Our graduates have achieved so many great things to get to this stage of life, and in doing so, they have created endless possibilities for themselves. We wish all graduates the best of success in what life has to offer as they head to university, college, the work force, or other pursuits. We encourage our PSB graduates to continue to fill chapters of the amazing story they are writing. #classof2020

COVID-19 Response to Mental Health Concerns

A Child and Youth Urgent Mental Health Care service is now available for children and youth ages 18 and under with urgent mental health needs or very high emotional distress. Children and youth with urgent mental health needs can call the virtual clinic for support and assistance. Children, youth, and their parents can call toll free at 1-866-833-5443 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily to connect with trained Health PEI mental health clinicians, who will provide a thorough risk assessment, help to stabilize any crisis, and connect to appropriate community supports.

Outside of the Child and Youth Urgent Mental Health Care hours, individuals requiring urgent mental health support can also access the Island Help Line (1-800-218-2885), Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868), their local emergency department, or 911. Community Mental Health Services, Student Well Being Teams, Strongest Families, and other community partners will continue to be available for all non-urgent mental health questions and concerns. For information on these services contact your local Community Mental Health office or Mental Health and Addictions Information Service at 1-833-533-9333.

Thank you to those who sent me feedback on the benefit and value of these weekly communications that began back in mid-March. It is my hope that these messages have been helpful. Next Wednesday will be the last letter for the 2019-20 school year. Plans are in the works to make it both a video and written message.

Until then, take care,

Parker Grimmer

Director

TD Summer Reading Program Information

We’re Going Online!
The PEI Public Library Service invites kids and families to join us online to participate in the 2020 TD Summer Reading Club! This annual national program gets kids of all ages excited about reading and helps prevent the summer slide.
How to Register
Go to http://www.tdsummerreadingclub.ca and create an online notebook to register. Registration opens June 15! Kids can register any time during the summer, and online notebooks can be updated until September 7.
How to Participate
The fun begins on June 22! Visit the PEI Public Library Service on Facebook or Instagram to find new programs and activities every weekday until August 28.
Mondays: Family Storytime (English) ─ Ages 0-5
Tuesdays: Family Storytime (Français) ─ Ages 0-5
Wednesdays: Hands-On Fun (English) ─ Ages 6-12
Thursdays: Hands-On Fun (Français) ─ Ages 6-12
Fridays: Highlights from the national TD Summer Reading Club (Bilingual)
Check out our Instagram or Facebook Stories for additional book recommendations or to see photos from other kids and families participating in PEI’s TD Summer Reading Club.
How to Win Prizes
Share your family’s TD Summer Reading Club experiences with us for a chance to win fun prizes! Each photo, video or written message you send will be entered into our weekly draw.
Not Just for Kids!
Teens and adults are invited to participate in Book-opoly, our summer reading program for ages 13 and up. Read your way around our game board and enter our weekly prize draws. Go to library.pe.ca or visit the PEI Public Library Service on Facebook or Instagram for more information.
http://www.library.pe.ca

Message from the Director

Dear Parents/Guardians, Students, and Staff;

A friend recently shared with me a message from the Prince Edward Island Public Service Commission about working from home with kids during the pandemic. The information is very helpful and I have drawn from it to share several important points for your consideration.

Many parents and staff are still working from home as they continue to manage the realities of dealing with COVID-19. We are all beginning to understand that working from home might continue for some time, at least part-time. Many are working alongside their family members, including children and may find this to be a challenge. There are a few positive things that we can all do in these situations.

Approach unpredictable times with flexibility. Being flexible helps us to better adapt to changes happening at home or with our workday. The positive side of being flexible is we are never going to feel stuck doing things “the one right way.” We can learn from our efforts, make revisions, and try something else without judging ourselves harshly. It is important to be kind to ourselves when we struggle and our day doesn’t unfold with our work and family the way we planned it would.

Find relief. Life is tough sometimes, really tough and at times we need to find relief in the simplest of things. Nature, family, music, cooking, art, gardening, exercise, reading, etc. can give us the break we need from our struggles so that we can recharge and refocus. Positive things will happen for our families and ourselves when we find ways to get some relief from life’s challenges.

Seek support to gain solutions. It is important to reach out for emotional support to those you trust.   Professional support can also help us gain new skills and strategies to manage our priorities and struggles. To access advice and find solutions to problems that are affecting work, family or your well-being, contact the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at 1-800-239-3826 or eap@gov.pe.ca. It’s free and confidential.

For more information on how to work from home with kids in a pandemic, click the link: https://www.poynter.org/business-work/2020/how-to-try-to-work-from-home-with-kids-in-a-pandemic/. The article includes practical and helpful suggestions to support working from home while managing students of various ages.

Take care,

Parker Grimmer

Director, Public Schools Branch

Summer Camp Opportunities

There are a number of STEAM PEI and Bricks 4 Kidz camps we will be holding in at Athena School in Summerside this summer. All camps are limited to 10 students at this time, but we do still have several spaces still available in Summerside. If you have any more communication going home to parents or a school Facebook page you could share this information on, it would be appreciated.

June 29 to July 3 (excluding July 1) Bricks 4 Kidz Mash-up

Students will be provided with a range of activities involving LEGO and will be encouraged to follow their interests and expand their skills and knowledge.

Ages: 5-12

Cost: $180

Facebook Event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/704837946952855/

Registration link: https://ca.bricks4kidznow.com/profile.php?id=97513&ts=1545242599

July 6-10 Bricks 4 Kidz Coding and Robotics

Students will get to explore coding and robotics using a variety of motorized models, integrating sensors, remote controls, and programming languages.

Ages: 5-12

Cost: $225

Facebook Event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/2814285638669950/

Registration link: https://ca.bricks4kidznow.com/profile.php?id=97513&ts=1545242599

July 13-17 STEAM PEI Junior STEAM Camp

Students will spend the week exploring Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math through hands-on activities.

Ages: 5-9

Cost: $225

Facebook Event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/201300854256570/

Registration link: www.steampei.com

July 20-24 STEAM PEI Climate Camp

Students will spend the week exploring Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math through hands-on fun activities with a special focus on climate change prevention and adaptation.

Ages: 5-12

Cost: $225

Facebook Event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/512609332732122/

Registration link: www.steampei.com

July 27-31 Bricks 4 Kidz Olympics

The Tokyo Olympics are postponed, but the Bricks 4 Kidz Olympics must go on. Students will choose different countries to represent and learn about those countries. Students will build a variety of sports related motorized LEGO models and compete in fun challenges.

Ages: 5-12

Cost: $225

Facebook Event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/235969721064470/

Registration link: https://ca.bricks4kidznow.com/profile.php?id=97513&ts=1545242599

August 3-7 Bricks 4 Kidz EV3 Olympics

The Tokyo Olympics are postponed, but the EV3 Olympics must go on. Students will choose different countries to represent and learn about those countries. Students will build a variety of motorized models, integrating sensors, remote controls, and coding while competing in challenges using EV3 LEGO.

Ages: 9-14

Cost: $225

Facebook Event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/2304906196470600/

Registration link: https://ca.bricks4kidznow.com/profile.php?id=97513&ts=1545242599

August 24-28 STEAM PEI Game Design Camp

Students will spend the week developing a variety of digital skills involving coding and game design.

Ages: 10-15

Cost: $225

Facebook Event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/619232728646963/

Registration link: www.steampei.com

Parent Survey ~ Your feedback is important

With the appearance of COVID-19 in PEI, our school system was forced to act quickly to provide online, home-based learning. Many people worked diligently to meet the challenge to deliver education online to an entire K to 12 system.

Now that we have had three months experience in this new world of education, it is appropriate to reflect on what has worked well and what has not, to help us prepare for the future.

Through this survey, we are seeking input from parents, teachers and administrators on key issues such as student access to technology and the internet; student comfort and confidence levels with home learning; communication among teachers, students and parents; and concerns about child care.

Your participation in the survey is important and very much appreciated. Results will be used only to identify the strengths and challenges of the home learning experience.

• The survey takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes to complete.
• Your responses are anonymous and confidential. There is no way to see your name or email address.
• Results go directly to survey coordinators at the Department of Education and Lifelong Learning and are recorded on a secure site.
• The survey will close at 4 PM on Friday, June 12, 2020.   https://forms.gle/Aq7CWZr74nzS8mfXA

Message from PSB

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Dear Parents/Guardians, Students, and Staff;

As we move into June and the last month of school for the 2019-2020 school year, Public Schools Branch (PSB) staff are working diligently on the many year-end tasks and are planning and preparing to ensure success for September 2020. In accordance with the provisions of Phase 3 in Renew PEI, school staffs have more opportunities to support students and families throughout the month of June.

Teachers are available to schedule in-person appointments with students who wish to review their learning, the Respite Program is being offered in all PSB schools, some teachers are connecting with students through Google Meet, and PSB consultants and school counsellors have begun to reach out to families needing specialized supports. Home learning will continue until June 12 for high school students and June 19 for K-9 students.

Schools have been very successful in finding ways to maintain connections and relationships with students and families.  As we continue to navigate our changing landscape and find our way through these unprecedented times, we want to thank students, families and staff for their efforts and for working together.

Take care,

Parker Grimmer

Director, Public Schools Branch

Message from PEI Home & School

Home and School News – June 2020

Volunteers are part of School Communities

Be part of the Team! June is an excellent time to invite new volunteers to be part of a local Home and School community. Parents and teachers will team up to plan for the 2020-2021 school year. Contact your Home & School president or school principal to find out how you can get involved in your child’s school life. If you need guidance, contact the Federation office: peihsf@edu.pe.ca

Annual Meeting 2020

PEIHSF’s 67^th Annual General Meeting will be held in the fall; date and details to follow. The 2020 Book of Reports is posted on the website. Local Home and School Presidents are encouraged to add COVID-19 stories to their annual reports. The Book of Reports will be updated accordingly. Submit revised reports to: peihsf@edu.pe.ca

 Public Schools Branch

As restrictions are being lifted, PSB staff members are excited there are greater opportunities to connect with students to support academic and well-being needs. Teachers will be reaching out to their students with options they can participate in.

Respite Programming will begin operating at all 56 PSB schools.
Please contact respite@edu.pe.ca or (902) 368-4997 for more information.

Graduations: Schools are excitedly working on plans for High School Graduations and year end closing activities, within the public health guidelines outlined by the Chief Public Health Office. While activities will not look the same as in previous years, schools are committed to offering a unique experience to mark the end of the school year and wish their students well.

Access Your Student Well-Being Team

• Bluefield Family of Schools
• Charlottetown Rural Family of Schools
• Colonel Gray Family of Schools
• Kensington-Kinkora Family of Schools
• Montague Family of Schools
• Morell and Souris Families of Schools
• Three Oaks Family of Schools
• Westisle Family of School

PEI School Food Project

This program has provided over 30,000 meals to children across the island experiencing food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. THANK YOU to all of the hard working chefs in our 6 hubs who have prepared and continue to prepare these delicious and nutritious meals! Check out the PEI School Food Project Facebook page to see the amazing food being provided to students during the pandemic.

Do you know of families who need food supports? Let them know they can contact the Support for Families information line at (902) 368-5155 or supportforfamilies@edu.pe.ca.

Awards

As regular activities and deadlines are changing on a daily basis, the new deadline to submit School Bus Driver and Crossing Guard Awards nominations is June 15^th. Presentation arrangements will be coordinated with schools. Send your nominations to peihsf@edu.pe.ca  Find more details here: https://peihsf.ca/awards

Parent Leadership Program

Home and School’s Parent Leadership Projects have been given approval to move their projects to the fall when school resumes. If you have questions, contact: 902-620-3186 / 1-800-916-0664 / 902-218-8916(cell) / peihsf@edu.pe.ca

Busy Bee Webinar with Toronto Beekeepers Collective
Life Cycle of the Bee June 3^rd webinar, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. (EST) for students, parents, teachers

Explore the 3 types of bees found in a honey bee colony and the various stages over the course of their lives and look at the different kinds of Bee Stings in the insect world and a deeper exploration of bee stings – risks and management. Sign up for Zoom Webinar at:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScxI3LkKztCG7zFdQSLbUN461MMGv_NOmt26jRKrNxUzmG2Ew/viewform

Dawson City family eats only local food for a year in documentary ‘First We Eat’

The film’s world premiere is Thursday as part of Hot Docs 2020. The 104-minute Documentary, distributed in Canada

by Blue Ice Docs, runs online at hotdocs.ca until June 6.

The Young Millionaires Program

 The Young Millionaires Program is designed to assist youth between the ages of 9 to 16 years old discover more about business and help them start up a

 business of their own.  Participants will develop basic business mindset and business skills; including record keeping, marketing, customer service and

 public speaking skills.

What does it do?  The program provides help and guidance, through a series of self-directed learning workshops, to participants starting up their own business.  All successful applicants will receive up to $150 for a sole proprietorship (single business owner) and up to $200 for a partnership.
This is a non-repayable grant that is given with the intention that the participant will use it to start up their business.  The program facilitator will conduct check-ins with each participant as well as keep regular communication open with participants throughout the summer.

How do youth apply? You can apply at the Young Millionaires website www.youngmillionairesprogram.ca/   by June 8^th.
There is NO COST to sign up!  If any students or parents have any questions, they can contact Rose Leger at ymp@centralpei.ca  or by phone 1-902-887-3400 (office) / 1-902-388-8577 (cell).

Resource links:

Reading Rockets

Education and Lifelong Learning:

Public Library Service: Download Libby

Home Learning Resources:

COVID-19 Resources for Families