INTRODUCTION

The Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of School Councils has continued its efforts this year to strengthen the Federation by emphasizing:

• representation at various levels of governance
• a communication network
• provision of resources and requested information

Many issues affecting our students’ education arise in the course of a year.   This year these have included support to special needs children, teacher allocations and air quality in the schools.   There are also ongoing issues related to the operation of school councils which include liability coverage, conflict of interest, the relationship with school boards, areas of council influence, conflict resolution and training.   We are working to strengthen communication between the Department of Education, school boards, our Federation and councils to attempt to resolve and/or clarify issues such as these.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Compared to the 1997-1998 School Year, 1998-1999 seemed calmer, the volatile issues of school reform and air quality seemed to have quieted down in many areas and the Executive felt that this was the time to get back on track and discuss classroom issues.

To this end the Federation asked Elizabeth Oliver to sit on government’s Student Assistance Process Review Committee.   This report has gone to government and we hope that the government will take into account the committee’s concerns and act accordingly.   This is certainly an issue we will follow up on.   According to the Minister, this report was never meant to be public but we do hope that parents will keep us informed as to what is going on in this area.

As you may remember, I spent last year sitting on the Provincial Strategic Planning Committee on Literacy.   This report, “Primary Matters”, was completed after our last AGM and reported in the February Cuffer.   For more information contact Linda Coles, Dep’t of Education, 729-3677.

We have continued our relationship with the NLTA and look forward to working with their new president next year.   We also met with the Executive Director of the NLSBA.   It is our hope that our relationship with the School Board Association will grow and that the two bodies will begin working together on common issues.

I have met with the new Minister of Education, the Honourable Judy Foote, and found her to be very knowledgeable on the issues facing us in education.   The meeting is reported in the March 1999 Cuffer.   One point that was raised was that of mixed messages being delivered by her staff and the financial relationship between boards and councils.   Ms. Foote assured us that the government in no way hinders councils from joining the Federation and that she sees no problem in money being allocated for membership fees within board and school budgets.

In closing, I would like to say that I have enjoyed my time as your President.   The experience has taught me some very valuable lessons and raised my consciousness on many educational issues.   I would like to leave you with one thought:

The Executive you elect this weekend is YOUR Executive.   They will work FOR YOU.   Because of this, they need direction, which can be given by bringing resolutions to the floor at the AGM and by letting the office know what is going on in your area during the year.   If you wish the Executive to act on your concerns, they must know about them and get your support to address them.   We are always looking for people to represent our Federation on committees struck by government and to help in other ways.   Please consider being one of them!

Submitted by Cathy LeBlanc

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

This has been a year of upheaval on more than one front.   Uncertainty about the level of the Federation’s 1998-99 funding, finally resolved in late fall 1998, made planning difficult.   Tracking down rumours of questionable Department of Education and school board directives required a considerable commitment of time and effort.   The appointment of a new Minister of Education and subsequent election disrupted schedules and required the establishment of a new working relationship.

I often represent the Federation at various public events, for example the NLTA Annual General Meeting, April 1999; The Irish Connection (launching of Stellar Schools in Ireland), May 1998; Strategic Social Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador Release, August 1998; Pre release briefing on the Report of the Follow-Up of 1995 and 1996 High School Graduates, October 1998.

The Federation is the sum of its members -- issues can be pursued only on a groundswell of council interest and participation.   If councils wish to enjoy the benefits of representation and support on a provincial level, we need committed and enthusiastic volunteers on the board and on committees both regionally and provincially.

Membership

The Federation has 188 members for 1998-99 (136 of whom have renewed to date) -- about 1/2 of the schools in the province.   At least 135 of those memberships are school councils without associated PTAs or Home & Schools.

Communication

This year to date we have sent members a September, November, February and March newsletter (The Cuffer), an October and January Bulletin, and two resources (Community Representatives on School Councils and Conflict Resolution).   These mailings included various other information related to programs of interest, for example Writers in Electronic Residence, the Red Cross’ People Savers Program etc.   We also sent a package of letters and information to members regarding council rights and responsibilities in the fall of 1998.   We now have a toll-free telephone line for the convenience of members as well as a member listserv to facilitate a quicker information exchange.

SchoolNet Support Parents Program (SSP)

We are in the process of a pilot, in partnership with Industry Canada, StemNet and District #9, of the SchoolNet Support Parents Program.   The goal of SSP is to train parents in basic Internet skills.   Parents can then assist teachers in finding resource materials or supervising students, as required by each school.   A “train the trainer” model and manual are in the process of development.   A pilot workshop was held at Ascension Collegiate in Bay Roberts on March 27, 1999.   For more information, contact the office.

Create IT! Committee

I represent the Federation on StemNet’s Hook, Line and Net ’99 (Create IT!) Planning Committee.   Plans for this year’s conference in Stephenville in July are well underway.

Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week

For the twelfth year, School Councils and Home and School Associations across Canada celebrated National Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week from February 14-20, 1999.   The provincial Federation, through the Canadian Home and School Federation, had materials available for purchase by those groups who organized activities to recognize the contributions made by teachers and school staff to the education of our children.

Professional Development Survey

A survey on professional development of teachers was circulated to members in the fall of 1998.   To see the report on the results, check the web page or call the office for a copy.

Distance Education Forum

I represented the Federation at a forum on Distance Education in October sponsored by the Department of Education.   Participants from school districts and other organizations were updated on developments in distance education and offered an opportunity to voice their thoughts and concerns.   It was clear that distance education will become an increasingly important tool in our province but that it is not without its faults and challenges.   The Federation wrote to government suggesting that a committee to undertake long-term planning of distance education be established.

Statistics Canada Consultation

I represented the Federation at the Consultation on Conditions of Education Initiative organized by Statistics Canada to get input on a proposed initiative to gather statistical information on education across Canada.   A copy of the Federation’s submission is available on the web or by requesting a copy from the office.

Canadian Ministers of Education Conference, St. John’s

Our President and I represented the Federation at this national event in May, 1998.   Discussions and speakers were interesting but we question the long-term impact of such exercises.

Canada Conference ’99

I represented the Federation at the Canada Conference March 29-31.   It was interesting to hear the varied speakers.   One theme that was reiterated was the importance of education in creating productive and fulfilled citizens.

Submitted by Eva Whitmore

The twentieth Annual General Meeting of the Newfoundland and Labrador Home and School Federation was held in Stephenville on April 24-26, 1998.   The theme for the 1998 AGM was School Councils - Let’s Make Them Work!   Delegates attended several informative presentations on topics such as the council role in assessment and school improvement.

This was a landmark Annual General Meeting for the Federation.   A resolution was passed to change the name from the Newfoundland and Labrador Home and School Federation to the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of School Councils.   A resolution to strike a Constitution committee to prepare a draft Constitution for presentation at the 1999 AGM was also passed.

The Avalon East Area Association offered to host the 1999 AGM in St. John’s from April 23-25.

REPRESENTATION

The Board of Directors

The Board of Directors consists of the elected officers of the Federation, the Past President, representatives of the Area Associations and Standing Committee chairpersons.   Three meetings of the Board of Directors were held -- one at last year’s AGM on April 26, 1998 and two by teleconference on June 13, 1998 and October 31, 1998.   During these meetings, members are informed of current activities, reports are presented, and plans for future direction are made.   The Area Associations also report to the Executive on activities in their local area.   Business was conducted by email during the rest of the year.

The Executive

Members of the Executive met with the Minister of Education, the Honourable Roger Grimes, on May 19 and October 5, 1998 and with the new Minister of Education, the Honourable Judy Foote, on March 5, 1999.   Members of the Executive also met with Brendan Doyle, President of the NLTA on September 8, 1998 and with Myrle Vokey, Executive Director of NLSBA on March 16, 1999.

Constitution Committee

At the 1998 AGM of the Home & School Federation, the decision was made to change the name of the organization to the Newfoundland & Labrador School Council Federation.   At that time, it was also decided to strike a Constitution Committee to review the existing Constitution of the Federation in the light of the name change and make recommendations for constitutional change to the 1999 AGM.

As directed, the Committee was established and consisted of: Bill Brake [St. Michael’s Council, Happy Valley-Goose Bay], Glyn George [Booth Council, St. John’s], Elaine Gilbert [Elwood Council, Deer Lake], Susan Oates & Peter Sutherland [St. Stephen’s Council, Stephenville] and Bill Shallow [O’Donel Council, Mount Pearl].   Bill Shallow became the Convener of the Committee.   The initial meeting of the Committee was held, via telephone, on 30 June 1998 and a number of further meetings were held throughout the Fall.

The existing Constitution was reviewed and the Committee decided to recommend extensive change, virtually a new Constitution.   An early draft was sent to Federation members for reaction and a final draft was prepared based on input received.   That document will be considered at the 1999 AGM on Saturday, 25 April.

Special thanks are due to all the members of the Committee and to Eva Whitmore, who provided support.   However, most of the credit must go to Glyn George who actually drafted the new Constitution and did 90% of the work.   The Committee takes great pleasure in recommending to the Membership that the new Constitution be approved.

Submitted by Bill Shallow

Student Assistant Review Committee

This Committee was convened by the Department of Education in the Fall of 1998 to work on the issue of timely allocation of student assistants.   I am taking the liberty of providing an unusually long report because I feel there are some rather important issues which we, as parents of all students, need to address.

Background

Last September, many special needs students returned to school to find that they had not been assigned the student assistants they required.   Although in most cases, the assistance was restored, it was not until after several weeks of chaos, during which valuable school was lost.   At the most extreme, there were students who were forced, either by parental concerns or school suspensions, to remain at home.

In response to this crisis, the Education Minister promised parents that they would be informed of each year’s student assistance allocations by the end of the previous school year.   The Department would convene a committee to report on this issue by end of December, 1999.

I served on that Committee, along with three other committee members representing either students requiring assistance or their parents, and several education professionals.

We were immediately told that the mandate of the Committee was restricted to developing a timetable which would ensure that the commitment to inform students and parents June be met.

The four “user groups” responded that the timetable issue was only one part of a fundamentally flawed system, and that, if the system was to be made acceptable to students and parents, the Committee would also need to look at some of the other issues.   These included criteria for access and for amount and type of time provided, full and timely notification of allotments, selection and training of assistants, and parental input into all decisions made.

The Department was most reluctant to expand the mandate of the Committee to include these issues.   It did finally agree to allow us to discuss them, and to present recommendations regarding them, as long as the Committee understood the Department made no commitment to act upon the recommendations.

After four very intense day-long meetings, a report was finally produced, based on the Committee’s discussions.   It is important to note that this was written by staff in the Department of Education.   Over the Christmas holidays, it was circulated to the various Committee members for final approval.   Some of us had objections, but, with the exception of a few minor items, these were not then incorporated in the Report.   I did not sign off on the Report (in truth, I could not, because despite my making arrangements for the Department to send it to my holiday address, they did not).   But I would have had difficulty signing off for several reasons.

Major Recommendations

One: A timetable was produced, and forms part of the Committee’s first recommendation.   This timetable indicates that parents will be informed by the beginning of June whether their student has been allocated support.

It was not specified how much or what information the parents would receive.   The consensus of the Committee was that parents would only be told whether or not their child would receive support but not the level or the nature of that support.   My feeling (which I believe is shared by the other “user” Committee members) is that this is all that is possible, unless fundamental changes are made to the whole system.

In any event, this giving of limited information was reluctantly accepted.   However, this does not appear in the final report.   What does appear is a statement that the Department of Student Support Services will develop guidelines for principals on “what information needs to be communicated to the parents after the allocation is given to the schools.”

Despite that, the 1999 Budget Speech reads “Special needs children will be fully aware, before they leave school in June, of the level of service available for them in September.”

Two: Also included in the first recommendation was the notion that parents should be kept fully informed about the process of allocation, beginning with consultations between the school and parents (and student if appropriate).   These consultations were seen as part of the Individual Support Services Planning process.   Parents would also be requested to sign off, sometime before the end of February, on the profile (application for assistance) for their child.

This seems very straight-forward, and was one recommendation I felt I could enthusiastically endorse.   The recommendation was accepted, and principals were apparently so informed, but the consultation and signing off has not always occurred.

Third: Other recommendations stressed the need for communication to parents and students general information about the range of supports and other issues.   Some of this was to happen in January.   As far as I know, none of it did.

Fourth: The Committee members representing parent and student groups were concerned with both the language and the content of the profiles.   We did succeed in putting forth a recommendation that some of the more demeaning phrasing be changed, and certain ambiguities be eliminated.

A greater concern was with the categories of students who are not included.   There are many students who truly do need some assistance, but whose conditions cannot even be considered under the present form.   I am told by Department staff that this reflects the Government’s willingness to provide assistance in these cases.

Fifth: Two other recommendations were that all students receiving support services be assigned to a non-categorical special education teacher, and that all special education teachers and other student support services be used for the purpose for which they were assigned!   Too often, they are not.

Finally: Other recommendations included allocation of extra student assistants to Boards to cover new or appealing students and to provide substitutes, in-service for school staff (with parents and community groups invited), selection of a staff member in each school to coordinate student support services, and quick and full implementation of the Individual Support Services Planning process.

Where do we go from here?

Clearly, this Committee only scratched at the surface enough to make the underlying issues a tiny bit more visible.   The parents and student Committee members have agreed we want to pursue these issues further, and have decided to request a meeting with the new Education Minister to determine what recommendations were accepted, how and when they will be implemented, and to insist that on-going consultations with parents, students, and related groups be held.

Finally, I would like to say that I am very grateful for the support of the Federation of School Councils.   None of our children will get the best possible education if we do not do what must be done for our special needs students.

Thank you.

Submitted April 15, 1999 by Elizabeth Oliver

Comprehensive School Health Evaluation:

The evaluation of the effectiveness of the Comprehensive School Health Program, St. John’s Region, is now completed and the advisory committee is dissolved.   To obtain a copy, please call the Federation office for more information.

Submitted by Cathy LeBlanc

Educational Alliance for Poverty

I have continued to sit on the Educational Alliance against Poverty, a group composed of representatives from our Federation, the NLTA, the NLSBA and other organizations.   The members of the committee have decided that a conference on poverty and its effect on education is the next step.   It is hoped that this conference will take place in the fall.

Submitted by Cathy LeBlanc

Policy Governance Workshop

On 6 October 1998, Bill Shallow [O’Donel School Council, Mount Pearl] represented the Federation of School Councils at a Workshop on “Policy Governance: Adding Value as a Governing Board”, held at the Airport Plaza Hotel in St. John’s.   The Workshop was sponsored by the Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and the Newfoundland Cancer Treatment & Research Foundation and was attended by approximately 30 participants from 14 local and provincial organizations.   The Workshop leader was Jan Moore, BScN, MHSA, CHE, from Edmonton, Alberta.

The Workshop focused on the Policy Governance Model outlined by John Carver in his book: “Boards That Make A Difference”.   It was a valuable learning experience.   The Carver Model is widely followed, at least in part, by many complex organizations which have a CEO and large numbers of staff.   It has less application but can be the source of many valuable lessons for less complex organizations like the Federation of School Councils, or for School Councils themselves.

Submitted by Bill Shallow

Canadian Home and School Federation

I attended the CHSF Annual General Meeting in Moncton, NB, June 1998 and the

Midterm Meeting in Ottawa, ON, November 1998.   CHSF has the same problems maintaining funding and a volunteer base on a national level as we do on a provincial level.   However there are benefits such as information and communication to us by belonging to a national organization, just as there are benefits to belonging to a provincial organization.   The Federation is committed to supporting our national organization as best we can with the resources available to us.

Submitted by Cathy LeBlanc

FUNDING

In addition to our $15,000 sustaining grant, the Federation was pleased to receive a grant of $25,000 for the 1998-1999 fiscal year.   However, this extra funding was a one time commitment.   It is difficult for the Federation to maintain an office on a sustaining grant of $15,000/year.   The Executive feels it would be difficult to increase membership fees since school councils themselves have no source of income.   A proposal for an increased sustaining grant was presented to the Minister in February.   We are awaiting a response.

With the increase for 1998-99 we were able to update our computer equipment, revitalize our web page, institute a toll-free telephone line and increase staff hours (see Statement of Income and Expenditures p. 10).   The provision of printing by the NLTA and office space by the Avalon East School Board were again a welcome help.

PARTNERSHIPS

The Federation is pleased by the collaboration and support of the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Federation.   As well as being open to discussions of educational issues, the NLTA provided financial support through complimentary printing of our newsletter and other resources, as well as a donation to our AGM and a complimentary airline ticket for our President to attend the CHSF national AGM in Moncton, New Brunswick last June.

We thank the Avalon East School Board for providing us with an office free of charge.   This contribution is greatly appreciated.

We are excited about our new partnership with Industry Canada, StemNet and District #9 to offer the SchoolNet Support Parent Program (SSP) in our province (see page 3).

We are actively seeking other community and business partnerships.   If any of you are involved in a community organization or business that you feel would consider partnership with NLFSC, please let us know!   In return for their support, either financial or in-kind, an organization or business would receive a favourable profile with school councils across the province.

Avalon East Area Association

The Avalon East Area Association reaches out to all the School Councils and school based Parent Groups within the jurisdiction of the Avalon East School Board.   We function more as a network than an association with strict membership.   While we meet regularly and we do follow a plan of activity, participation in the association tends to be based on issues.

Since the 1998 AGM of the Federation, the Avalon East Area Association has met regularly, on a monthly basis, and has concentrated on encouraging Councils and other groups to cooperate on issues of common concern.   Notice of meetings and subsequent Minutes have gone to all Councils, whether they participate or not.

Our relationship with the Avalon East School Board has been generally a positive one.   The Board has given us access to their school mailing system for the distribution of our communications and has provided us with meeting space without charge.   The Board has included a slot in the agenda of Council training sessions for the promotion of the Association.   From time to time, we have had joint meetings between representatives of the Association and the Board around general as well as specific concerns.

After an active year in 1997-98, the Association reactivated in September 1998, and a new Executive Committee was established: Bill Shallow [O’Donel Council] as Chair, Maureen Dickson [Bishops College Council] as Vice Chair, Glyn George [Booth Council] as Secretary and Chris Morrissey [St. Paul’s Council] as Treasurer.   Our early emphasis in the year was on Special Education and concerns about Pathways.   However, we became quickly absorbed in the on-going debate over District Reorganization, which has dominated our activities ever since.   In fact, it is safe to say that District Reorganization has made this a one topic year.   However, it has had the positive effect of drawing into our activities Councils which had not been previously involved.

Although District Reorganization has dominated our discussions throughout this school year, we also have a major concern about efforts, from certain quarters, to limit the role of Councils.   There are mixed messages coming from the Department in this regard and we believe that clarifying this issue should be a priority for the Federation over the next year.

With the closing of many schools and the reconfiguration of many more in Avalon East, the mosaic of School Councils will change considerably next year.   It will be a challenge for Councils but we are confident that this situation will also be a time of opportunity for the Avalon East Area Association.

Submitted by Bill Shallow, Chair

Exploits Region Area Association

The Exploits Valley Area Association has held three meetings this year - November 1998 (17 participants), January 1999 (16 participants) and April 1999 (6 participants).

Various issues were discussed at the November meeting including: 1) concerns regarding air quality, many of which have been addressed but a few of which remain; 2) suggestions to remedy behaviour problems at Exploits Valley High and Bursey Collegiate; 3) the need for more parental involvement in Department of Education committees and decisions and 4) the apparent limitations on school councils.

A presentation on the school council role in school improvement was made to representatives at the January meeting.   Other matters discussed included: 1) resolution of most of air quality concerns; 2) school reports; 3) approval of school budgets by councils; 4) council training (only for new councils except on request) and 5) the student assessment draft policy.

At the April meeting, it was clear that all schools are concerned with teacher allocations.   The reductions will impact on programming and student services.

Though Councils continue to find occasional area association meetings a helpful forum to share information and discuss issues of common concern, a new chair will be needed in order for the association to continue.

Submitted by Dave Morrow, Area Chair

Financial Statement 1998 - 1999

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