A registration package was sent to Councils and Home & Schools at the end of February. If you didn't receive it or would like another copy, call 1-877-739-4830 or email nlfsc@stemnet.nf.ca.

Keynote speaker is Dr. Ross Elliott with lots of other interesting speakers, opportunities for networking, and great entertainment.

We have not yet received any nominations for the position of Secretary for the Executive. The Secretary reviews documents (e.g. press releases, briefs), and advises as needed; represents the Federation at meetings, conferences, etc.; and participates in executive meetings. All you absolutely need is access to a telephone and fax. However, access to email would be a definite asset.

If you or someone you know would like to support your parent peers and your school council by representing them in this way, we would be pleased to welcome your nomination. Self nominations are welcome.

Remember nominations can be made from the floor of the AGM with the candidate's consent!

It is with great pleasure that I bring you greetings in our first edition of the Cuffer for 2002.

This has been a most challenging and turbulent year in education. The controversial issues of school fees, changes in the curriculum, NAPE strike and recent NLTA negotiations have demanded leadership, incited perseverance and strengthened our commitment. We have and will continue to be the "voice for the unvoiced" as we advocate on behalf of our students.

Since the beginning of the school year our membership has increased tremendously from 149 to 233 schools. This growing support will enable us to proceed with our endeavours as productive stakeholders in education.

At this time I would like to take the opportunity to thank Mrs. Eva Whitmore- former NLFSC Executive Director for her contribution in the establishment of our organization over the years. Eva's ability to articulate a strong vision and willingness to devote an inordinate amount of time, loyalty and commitment has provided the NLFSC with a solid foundation to build on. Her work was always of the highest caliber and we are confident she will be a tremendous asset in her new position.

I would also like to welcome her replacement- Hazel Hickey. Over the past two months Hazel's exceptional professional and interpersonal skills has been of great assistance while facing a multitude of demands. I look forward to formally introducing Hazel at our AGM in Corner Brook later this month.

On behalf of the other executive members I wish to express appreciation to the school councils across the province for your leadership, advice and support during these very challenging times. As we collaboratively work to ensure an excellence in education, I am reminded of the words of Helen Keller

"Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much."

The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) in partnership with the Non Government Organization Learning for the Sustainable Future (LSF), is sponsoring an essay and art contest for Canadian youth to raise their awareness of sustainable development around the world. The contest runs from February 22 to June 7, 2002. Young people between the ages of 14 and 18 participate in the contest by visiting the Butterfly 208 web site www.bp208.ca The grand prize is a trip for four to visit CIDA projects in a developing country. The 2nd prize is a personal computer, and the 3rd prize is a high-speed Internet connection for one year. Questions can be directed to 1-800-230-6349 ext. 208 or by e-mail at info@bp208.ca.

May 3-12, 2002

You are invited to help showcase Information Technology and to show how IT infrastructure use and content help to realize the benefits of a knowledge economy. The website at http://itweek.ic.gc.ca provides more information. To request promotional material such as posters or brochures, contact either Ed Coady (772-5877, coady.ed@cbsc.ic.gc.ca), or Dawn LeMessurier (772-6748, lemessurier.dawn@ic.gc. ca).

You are also invited to submit nominations for the Community IT Hero Awards. This award recognizes individuals who have assisted their communities in a significant way through the use or application of information technology. Possible award recipients include teachers, students, businesses, community leaders, volunteers, etc.

Recognize and celebrate community volunteers throughout this special week! For more information, please contact:

The Community Services Council
Volunteer Centre
Phone: 709-753-9860
Email: volunteer-centre@csc.nf.net
or link to: www.envision.ca

For the past two months, the NLFSC has held a high profile in the media. Denise Pike, the President, has been kept quite busy with meetings and engaging in media interviews.

During the recent labour negotiations, Denise was involved in telephone meetings with both the Minister of Education and the President of NLTA. She was interviewed by The Telegram on eight separate occasions and made radio news on CBC, St. John's, Corner Brook, and Gander and on numerous occasions on VOCM.

Instead of waiting to react to job action, the Federation decided to take a proactive approach and insist that to avert job action by the teachers it would call for binding arbitration. This position was taken to protect the interest of the students.

There is consensus that the position taken by the Federation had an impact on the positive outcome of the negotiations. The Federation congratulates both sides on putting the interest of students first and settling the contract negotiations.

Representing more than 230 of the province's schools, the Federation of School Councils is now seen as a serious and concerned stakeholder in education in this Province.

The Federation and Denise were acknowledged by the Minister of Education at the opening of Education Week in March. This opening was web broadcasted by Stemnet worldwide.

Denise was also sought out and interviewed by both radio and print media for her response to the Education segment of the recent Provincial Budget. The Federation anticipates that the loss of 208 teachers in the province's school system will generate much discussion over the next couple of months.

The NLFSC spearheaded the organization of Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week in March. We coordinated the orders for supplies used to recognize the teachers and staff during that week. A press release was issued for the launch of the week February 10-16. We received much positive feedback for our involvement in this event.

NLTA Virtual Teacher Centre

Denise Pike and Eva Whitmore attended the official launch of the NLTA's Virtual Teacher Centre in November. Congratulations to the NLTA for taking such an innovative approach to teacher professional development! Check it out at www.virtualteachercentre.ca.

Children at risk-who grow up in families with low incomes, low parental educations, prenatal problems and single parents-have fewer behavioural problems when raised with positive and consistent parenting. Parenting style, particularly a hostile parenting style, has a more negative effect on behavioural problems than other factors such as income and family structure. (Source: The Daily. October 28, 1998. Statistics Canada)

We often get questions at the office about ...

School Council Responsibility for Fundraising ...

Included in this mailing is a resource to present the Federation's viewpoint.

School Council Responsibility with relation to protest activities ...

School council chairs often call and ask what the school council should be doing in the event of difficulties at their school which might lead parents to protest. These might include, for example, labour disputes or air quality issues. Often parents call on their council to take a leadership role, while on the other hand the school board may be advising council that certain actions are outside of their responsibility.

This is not a cut and dried issue. The Department of Education, the school boards and the Federation may have differing viewpoints. The view presented here is the opinion of the Federation, not a legal opinion!

Based on our reading of the Education Act, which states that "The school council shall operate in accordance with the by-laws of the board" (Section 26.8), we feel that a school council would be outside its boundaries if it organized or actively supported activities that involve encouraging students to be kept out of school as a form of protest. On the other hand, we feel issues related to safety might be interpreted differently. As it is the responsibility of the council to "conduct meetings with parents and members of the community on matters within its responsibility" (26.3.g), which includes a responsibility to "advise the board on matters of concern to the school and the community" (26.2.d), we feel a council does have a responsibility to inform parents of unsafe situations which might lead to withdrawal of students from school.

We must remember that councils consist of the principal and teachers, as well as parents and community members. The school staff is definitely in jeopardy of discipline from their employer if they support questionable activities.

In summary, NLFSC feels that councils are within their mandate if they seek information and call meetings of parents for the purpose of disseminating information, but that councils would be wise to suggest parents set up a separate parent action committee to fulfill other functions related to protest activities.

Epilepsy Newfoundland and Labrador is offering a scholarship valued at $1,000 to high school students entering a post secondary institution in September 2002.

To qualify for the scholarship, known as the Jim Hierlihy Memorial Scholarship, the applicant must be a member of Epilepsy Newfoundland and Labrador and have a diagnosis of epilepsy.

For more information and to obtain an application, contact the Education Coordinator at 1-866-EPILEPSY, 722-0502, or e-mail: educator@nf.aibn.com

Flexible Work Helps Moms Get Involved at School

by Jacqueline Foley

More and more women are turning to flexible work to find a better work/family balance. A flexible work arrangement is a great way to get the quality time with your children that you may be craving, while keeping one foot on the career or job track. Moms who have successfully made the transition to flexible work report that the benefits are many, including having an opportunity to be more involved with their children's schooling.

Feeling More Connected

In particular, moms who shift to flexible work often report feeling more plugged in to their children's school and more informed about what's going on in the classroom.

Dana, a journalist, switched from full time to part time when her son entered first grade and started having difficulty. It was then that she realized she needed and wanted to be around more. "After I started working part time I noticed the huge benefits for my children," says Dana. "My son loved the fact that I picked him up every day from school. He relaxed when he realized he wasn't out there on his own. I started going on school trips and got to know the kids' classmates. I am definitely more connected with the school and the other mothers."

Being Available During the School Day

Getting involved at your children's school can be challenging when you are a working parent - especially since so many of the opportunities to participate occur on weekdays. Securing a flexible work arrangement provides moms with the flexibility to volunteer at the school, go on field trips or simply just walk the kids to school some mornings.

Dr. Lanice Jones, mother of three, knows all about juggling work and her children's numerous school and after-school activities. She has been running her own medical practice for eight years, working three and a half days a week. "You would think that once your kids are in school you'd want to work more," says Lanice. "But that's not what happens. I have really enjoyed being a part of school experiments and picking my kids up after soccer practice. It's one of the many benefits of having the flexibility."

Sending Your Child an Important Message

When you work flexible hours you send an important message to your children. It tells them that your work is an essential part of your life, and that you care about spending time with them too.

Reva Nelson, a single mother, decided to start her own business to have the flexibility to be with her son as much as possible. As a result, she arranged a schedule that allowed her to participate in field trips and other school activities. Now that her son is 17, she looks back and feels good about the choices she made. And clearly her son does, too. When asked to write an essay in Grade 5 about his hero, he wrote about his mom. He said she was his hero because she ran her own business in order to spend more time with him.

It's exciting to discover that a flexible work arrangement really can give you the best of both worlds. Maybe it's time to try it!

Jacqueline Foley is the author of Flex Appeal: An Inspirational Guide to Flexible Work for Mothers (March 2002). Find out more at: www.getflexappeal.com

If you have not already done so, please renew your membership as soon as possible to avoid missing important information.

Parents, School Trustees Set Targets for Government: How much $$$ Will Be Enough

Reprinted from Alberta Home and School Association News, Vol. 9, Winter 2001.

For literally decades parents and educators have called for more dollars to education and government has responded with what never seems to be enough.

Education Minister Oberg has requested specifics about where parents believe funding increases are needed, saying generalized funding requests are harder to respond to.

Despite the complexities of calculating fair and equitable education spending, parents and trustees are coming through. Check out these specifics...

AHSCA members from Morinville Community High School Council have proposed two targets:

1. An increase in per student grant such that Alberta exceeds the Canadian national average and stays within the top three provinces on per student funding.
2. An increase in funding for severe special needs students from $12,187 to $27,000 per student.

Alberta School Boards Association is calling for 10% increase in per student grants for K to Grade 3; 6% increase in per student grants for Grades 4-9, and 6% increase in Credit Enrolment Unit funding (used for specific programming at high school levels).

The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Rose Art have received 10 reports of children being burned by the hot soap while removing the plastic container from the microwave oven.

The soap making kit is sold in a cardboard box with model number 4054 or a plastic case with model number 4121 on the packaging. Toy and discount stores including Toys R Us, WalMart and Target, sold these kits between August 1997 and December 2001. Consumers should stop using these kits immediately and contact Rose Art at (800) 272-9667 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the web site at www.roseart.com for information on how to receive a full refund and an additional Rose Art product item at no charge.

If you have not already done so, please forward your comments on the position papers on School Fees and Labour Disputes as soon as possible. We will be presenting these papers at the upcoming AGM.
Page 6 World Health Day

World Health Day is celebrated each year on April 7 by the 191 member countries of the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO established this important observance to provide a forum for discussion regarding various health challenges worldwide. Each year, a new focus is selected for World Health Day to highlight a public health issue of global concern.

This year's theme - Physical Activity for Health - underscores the growing recognition among public health experts worldwide that physical inactivity is a serious public health burden and that physical activity can and should play an increased role in improving and maintaining the health of the global population.

World Health Day resources are available free of charge at the following address: www.healthcanada.ca/worldhealthday or by calling 1-888-334-9769 or by e-mail at Philippe_Dussault@hc-sc.gc.ca.

The Cuffer is a benefit of membership in the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of School Councils. Annual membership dues are based on school enrolment.

The views expressed or implied in this publication are not necessarily official positions of the Federation. The mention of any program, organization, resource, product, person, place, or school does not constitute an endorsement by the NLFSC. For contact information, see page 1.

Student Study Guides and a lot more: http://www.iss.stthomas.edu/studyguides/

The National Library of Canada has a program: Read Up On It. You can request free copies of the kit, a poster, and book-marks at: www.nlc-bnc.ca/ read-up-on-it.

The Canadian Health Network provides easy access to a wide range of health information. For more information, please visit CHN at: www.canadian-health-network.ca.

Find a wealth of resources to help you understand your dyslexic student at: www.dyslexia-teacher.com.

Teaching Children to Resist Bias: What Parents Can Do. For more on this topic: www.uua.org/re/reach/parenting/children_resist_bias.html.

The Canadian Paediatric Society has launched a new web site for parents. The site, www.caringforkids.cps.ca, is designed specifically for parents and covers a very wide range of topics from immunization through behaviour management to dealing with separation and divorce.

For more information on hazardous materials and children visit: Http://www.nb.lung.ca/schools/3000e/ehi_hzrdmtrls_e.htm.

Page 7 Ten Principles for Parents of Educated Children

1. Parents are the first and most important teachers. The more involved you are, the better your child's chances of getting a good education. You can make the difference.

2. Your teaching must not stop when schooling starts. Some parents withdraw from involvement in education once their children reach school age. This is a mistake. Teachers cannot do a good job without your aid, support, and interest.

3. The early years build the foundation for all later learning. Make it sturdy. The first few years of life and then the first few years of school are critical. A solid edu

cation by eighth grade is a necessity or there will be trouble in high school and beyond.

4. Some schools are underperforming. There are some schools that don't pay enough attention to academic basics, and standards are often too low. Trust but verify. Do not just assume that your school is doing a good job.

5. Learning requires discipline; discipline requires values. Many classrooms are disrupted by disrespectful, unruly children. Children need to be taught the virtues necessary to succeed in school. Those virtues should be taught at home, and reinforced by the school.

6. Follow your common sense. Some people may feel it takes a special degree to know if a school is doing a good job. Wrong. You are the expert on your own child. Pay attention, talk to teachers and other parents, and trust your instincts.

7. Content matters. What children study determines how well they learn. Be informed

8. Television can be an enemy of good education. TV can be one of the greatest obstacles to learning. Parents need to monitor and limit time spent in front of the television.

9. Education reform is possible. You can change the system. If you are interested and engaged, there is much you can do to ensure that your child receives an excellent education. The

re are ways to improve your child's school, especially if you join forces with other parents. (Newfoundland & Labrador Federation of School Councils gives you the voice, but you need to speak.)

10. Aim high, expect much, and children will prosper. No parent, school, or child is perfect, but we all rise toward the level of expectations. The surest way to learn more is to raise standards.

Adapted from "The Educated Child, A Parents Guide from Preschool through Eighth Grade" by Wiliam J. Bennett with Chester E. Finn and John T.E. Cribb, published by The Free Press

Canadian 15-year-old students rank among the top six out of 32 countries surveyed in reading, science, and mathematics. In reading, Canadian students share the top position with the United Kingdom, Ireland, Finland, and Japan. The study, which tested over 250,000 students from 32 countries, was conducted in 2000 by the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD). A Canadian Programme for International Student Assessment report contains detailed information on student performance in each province. The report points out areas in which Canada's education systems can make improvements. View the report at www.pisa.gc.ca.