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

There are ongoing issues related to the report of the Ministerial Panel on the Delivery of Education in the Classroom, school fees, and the operation of school councils (which include insurance coverage, conflict of interest, the relationship with school boards and areas of council influence). We continue to work 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.

2000-2001 has been a very busy and productive year for the Federation of School Councils. We have now positioned ourselves as a "player at the table" on the Provincial Level and have thus had some meaningful input as such. Though there are still many issues to be tackled I am hopeful that the profile we have gained will ensure that the grassroots perspective is not forgotten in the big scheme of things.

After the release of the Ministerial Panel's report regarding the Delivery of Education in the Classroom, the NLFSC was asked to participate on the Implementation Committee for this report. I attended two meetings which focused on the considerations regarding each recommendation and the potential impact, both negative and positive, of their implementation. This process is ongoing and to date the Government has acted on some, but not all, of the Panel's recommendations. We continue to lobby Government for a conclusion to the Panel's work. It is only in the implementation of these recommendations that we will see the true benefits of the Williams & Sparkes report. I see holding Government to act on those recommendations which are still pending as one of our major challenges for the next year.

Aside from the Implementation Team, the NLFSC has been represented on the Education Department's Special Needs Advisory Committee, The Canadian Home and School Federation, The Coalition of Nutrition Advisory Committee, and at the Annual General Meeting of the NLSBA. We have also attended by invitation the lock-up of the Budget release. Also, the Federation continues to have input in the development of a standardized Atlantic Curriculum.

This is the end of my two year mandate as your President and because of many other demands on my time I have chosen not to seek reelection. It has indeed been an honour to represent Councils at the Provincial level and I thank you all for affording me that privilege. I also owe my Executive and our Executive Director, Eva Whitmore, a great debt. All of you have given tirelessly of your time and talents and without that my job would have indeed been much more difficult. My heartfelt thanks to all of you and it has been a true pleasure to work with you these last two years.

Though we have come a long way there is still much to be done. I know I leave you in very capable hands. My best wishes to all of you and every success to the incoming President and Executive. I thank you all.

Submitted by Joan Combdon, NLFSC President

The office is run by the executive director and one part-time employee, Maureen Dickson. In addition to ongoing advocacy, newsletters and communication with members, supervision and coordination of the SchoolNet Support Parents Program has continued this year. As well, I represented the Federation at various public events, including: the May 2000 Canadian Living and School Childrens' Food Foundation Nutrition Workshop, the May 2000 Capital Coast Alliance Literacy Workshop, the May 2000 National Children's Alliance Workshop on the National Children's Agenda, the September 2000 conference of the National Association for Community Living; the September 2000 Capital Coast Alliance Building Partnerships Conference, the October 2000 meeting of the Atlantic Alliance for Children and Youth; the October Family Literacy Conference Gathering Voices; the November 2000 Community Services Council National Child Day Panel, the February 2001 Atlantic School Boards Conference and several media events.

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. Don't let location deter you, if you are interested in participating, we will make every effort to find ways to involve you.

Submitted by Eva Whitmore, NLFSC Executive Director

The Federation has 189 members for 2000-2001 (130 of whom have renewed to date), out of 328 schools in the province.

To date this year we have sent members a September, November, and April newsletter (The Cuffer), and January Bulletin. We have a toll-free telephone line for the convenience of members as well as a member listserv to facilitate quicker information exchange.

Two meetings of the Board of Directors were held -- one at last year's AGM on April 30, 2000 and one in St. John's on August 30, 2000. Business was conducted by email, fax and telephone during the rest of the year.

Our President attended the May and June 2000 meetings of the Implementation Team (Report of the Ministerial Panel on the Delivery of Education in the Classroom).

Members of the executive met with the Minister of Education on May 18, 2000 and March 27, 2001, and with the Assistant Deputy Minister Primary, Elementary and Secondary, with the Dean of the Faculty of Education, Memorial University and with the Executive Director of the NLTA on October 12, 2000. Our 1st Vice-President met with the Assistant Deputy Minister, Literacy in August 2000, and represented NLFSC at the pre-budget consultation roundtable in March 2001.

Members of the executive represented the Federation at the May 2000 NLSBA AGM, at meetings of the Advisory Committee on Student Support Services, at meetings of the Coalition for School Nutrition, at the May 2000 CHSF AGM and November 2000 CHSF Mid-Term meetings

The Special Needs Advisory Committee on Student Support Services consults with the division of Student Support Services on any matter related to the establishment and provision of programs and services for students with exceptionalities. Representatives from numerous groups and organizations as well as personnel from the Department of Education, various School boards and Memorial University meet at least three times a year to assess the delivery of programs and services in the area of Special Needs. The main focus of the group is on children and youth with exceptionalities in the primary, elementary and secondary educational system. In particular the committee has the following terms of reference:

• To review issues related to Co-ordination of services.
• To discuss issues related to safe schools.
• To identify current issues to ensure needs of stakeholders and other educational partners are addressed.
• To share appropriate information about divisional activities with respective stakeholder groups.
• To submit an annual report to the Assistant Deputy Minister for primary, elementary and secondary education.

For the past number of years the area of Special Needs/ Student Support Services has been the target of great controversy and growing contention in this province. The committee provides the opportunity for many significant stakeholders to voice their concerns and to seek collaborated solutions to ensuring equal rights in education for all students.

Submitted by Denise Pike, NLFSC 2nd Vice President

The inaugural meeting of the Coalition for School Nutrition took place on 24th May 2000, when an advisory committee was struck consisting of members representing the following organizations: The School Children's Food Foundation, The Newfoundland and Labrador School Milk Foundation, The Department of Education, the Department of Health and Community Services, the Dietitians of Newfoundland and Labrador, Community Health (St. John's and western regions), the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers' Association (NLTA), the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of School Councils (NLFSC) and the Newfoundland and Labrador School Boards' Association (NLSBA).

The Coalition for School Nutrition has two funding partners, The School Children's Food Foundation and the School Milk Foundation in co-operation with the Dietitians of Newfoundland and Labrador. The purpose of the coalition was to survey all 351 schools in the province in relation to school food nutrition, policies and food services provided throughout the school system. It is the intention to develop a province-wide framework for nutritional standards for all food and food services provided within the schools. A market research firm was selected to carry out the work and a project co-ordinator for the coalition was hired.

A questionnaire was developed in close consultation with the advisory committee and was pre-tested prior to it being sent out for completion to all school principals in September 2000.

There was a 72% provincial response in completing the survey which corresponds to 251 schools. The data from this survey is currently being analysed and it is envisaged that a full report and recommendations will be forthcoming in the near future.

Submitted by Jane Haggie, NLFSC 1st Vice-President

Glyn George, Denise Pike and Eva Whitmore represented NLFSC at the AGM. In a panel focussing on school reform, Denise was asked to present a report card on school reform, as were a trustee, an administrator and a student. For focussing the province's attention on education, Denise gave school reform a grade of B+. However, school reform has yet to have a positive impact on improving literacy levels. For its effects on literacy so far, school reform gets a grade of F: failing to meet any of the objectives. For a more complete report see www.stemnet.nf.ca/nlssc/briefs.htm/nlsba00.htm.

NLFSC is a member of the Canadian Home and School Federation, the umbrella group for the provincial Home and School/School Councils organizations across Canada.

In total eighteen delegates attended the conference from all across Canada and all but one province was represented. A large proportion of the business meeting was taken up by the approval of the draft of standing rules of the organization together with the approval of the financial report and budget approval for the next fiscal year 2000-2001. The trust fund and provincial membership fees were also discussed.

Provincial sharing proved to be very interesting. Each province made a presentation to the rest of the delegates. From Newfoundland I did a presentation on School/Net Support Parents (SSP). Sharing from Newfoundland also included the Ministerial Panel's report on the Delivery of Education in the Classroom. It was highlighted that the Federation had input in the information gathering part of the report and the President of the NLFSC had been invited to join the Implementation Committee for this report. Sharing from other provinces included: effective policy making, violence within our schools and a community kitchen project.

The Ontario Federation of Home and School Associations Inc. submitted a resolution on workplace safety and the legal rights training for secondary students who are offered co-op work programmes. It was discovered that workplace safety courses are offered only in Newfoundland, in fact this course was introduced at my local school in central Newfoundland last year. The course was pioneered by Albert Dalton in St John's, whose name and email address were passed on to all the executive members of the CHSF to enable them to contact him directly.

Commissioner for Canada's Children: There are children's advocates in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. The question arose if there was in fact a need for one specifically for Canada and did the CHSF support this proposition? It was thought that this subject needed further discussion and was therefore tabled to the next AGM when a presentation will be given on it.

The next AGM in 2001 will take place in Saskatchewan, in early June. This AGM conference will come to St John's, Newfoundland in 2006.

Submitted by Jane Haggie NLFSC 1^st Vice President

CHSF meeting goals were:

• to establish projects and policy for CHSF for 2000-2001
• to share ideas, programs and projects from across the country.
• to share and discuss common issues from the three areas of Canada
• to put an action plan into place in order to raise the profile of CHSF

There were a number of resolution workshops:

• The corporate sponsorship issue
• Safety on the Internet
• The weapons in schools policy
• Daily Physical Education Program
• Protection of children with Anaphylaxis
• Commissioner for Canada's children
• Policy statement review

For the workshops we were divided into groups so we were unable to attend them all. I had input on Daily Physical Education program as well as Commissioner for Canada's children.

The lack of Phys Ed in schools is a huge concern. Many new schools being built across the country do not even include a gymnasium in the floor plans and many schools are sharing gym equipment. Much discussion centered around the poor showing which Canada had at the Olympics and around the impact of regular daily physical activity to the health care system. Canada is among the countries with the highest rate for heart and obesity problems.

In the session on a Commissioner for Canada's children we discussed the expectations of this new Federal position and how it would impact on our own provinces. This position would monitor Canada's progress in ensuring that federal laws conform with the provision of the UN convention on the rights of the child. This position will improve public policy decisions that impact children by assisting Parliament and the federal government to undertake a coordinated approach to children and youth. It will also ensure accountability for federal commitments made to children. Currently the existing provincial Children's Advocates meet twice a year to share information and explore possibilities for effective advocacy on behalf of children. I was surprised to find out that Nfld. was among only a few provinces that do not have a Children's Advocate position already in place [March 2000 note: government has announced that this position will be established]. Therefore when these meetings take place I assume we are not represented. A resolution to support the creation of a Commissioner for Canada's children was passed.

I especially enjoyed the provincial sharing time however time did not allow for much discussion. Along with others, I feel this part of the meeting could offer a lot of information and have a profound impact on the entire conference. The educational concerns are similar all across the country. We are not alone in our plight to increase funding for special needs, etc. and it seems as if large class sizes are a norm. As well, behavioral problems are dominating the classrooms.

Overall we are doing well. In comparison to other provinces Newfoundland has much to celebrate. Other provinces are dealing with issues of teachers working to rule. I didn't encounter another province which supported their teachers to the extent that the NLFSC do.

Several of the provincial parent organizations are operating separately from the school councils and do not have a good working relationship with the councils.

The British Columbia Parents' Advisory Committee gave a presentation on their Advocacy project. This initiative teaches parents how to speak out and address concerns they may encounter in the education system. A presentation on a loyalty card program was also discussed.

Overall it was a good trip and this networking between the Provinces is very beneficial to the entire country.Submitted by Denise Pike, NLFSC 2^nd Vice President

NLFSC is represented on the regional selection committee of the Prime Minister's Awards for Teaching Excellence by Professor Rennie Gaulton, Past-President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Home & School Federation.

SSP is a 'train the trainer' program to teach computer and Internet skills to parents and community members, who can then use those skills to help students and teachers at their school. Parents, teachers and students all benefit.

SSP was initiated by NLFSC in the fall of 1998. Province-wide implementation of the program began in September 1999 with partners and supporters including NLFSC; Avalon West School District; StemNet; Technology Education Centre, Corner Brook; Cable Atlantic; Avalon East School District and VolNet. Human Resources Development, through OnSite, provided a coordinator for 6 months. Industry Canada supplied 4 youth employment positions (average 14 weeks each) to help coordinate and deliver the program.

Industry Canada has supplied a coordinator again for the 2000-2001 school year, with a view to the program sustaining itself in future. To date we have provided computer training to approximately 40 schools and 500 parents throughout the province with the help of our partners and volunteer trainers. For more information, call 1-877-739-4845 or visit http://www.ssp.k12.nf.ca/

We received a total of 51 responses to our survey on volunteer hours. One school's response was not included as they felt unable to estimate the hours, the contribution at their school is so high. In summary, at the 50 schools included, the average number of volunteer hours per month is 480. Based on a 35 hour week and a 4 week month, volunteers, on average, do the equivalent work of almost 2 full time positions per school. If we extrapolate to all schools, 75,000 hours per month, or 750,000 hours per year, are contributed by volunteers to Newfoundland and Labrador schools -- a significant subsidization of the education system!

For the fourteenth year, School Councils and Home and School Associations across Canada celebrated National Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week from February 11-17, 2001. 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.

The twenty-second Annual General Meeting of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of School Councils was held in Gander on April 28-30, 2000. The theme for the 2000 AGM was School Matters. On Saturday, delegates attended the business meeting as well as presentations and discussions on three sub-themes: leadership of school councils; safe schools; and delivery of education in the classroom. On Sunday morning delegates chose two sessions from a variety of topics, including: interpreting school and student assessments, Communities in Schools, involving parents, action planning for school councils. Several resolutions were passed relating to funding for school councils, bus safety, remedial reading, technology and maintenance.

The Federation is pleased to report that the sustaining grant provided to the Federation by the Department of Education has been increased from $15,000 to $30,000 per year. With careful management, this allows the Federation to cover necessary expenses such as telephone, supplies and executive travel costs, as well as maintain a part-time Executive Director and another part-time staff person.

The provision of printing by the NLTA and office space by the Avalon East School Board were again a welcome help.

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 and sitting on the SSP Advisory Committee, the NLTA provided financial support through complimentary printing of our newsletter and other resources.