Over 70 people gathered at the Mamateek Inn in Corner Brook for the 24th Annual General Meeting of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of School Councils on April 26-28, 2002.

Media attention in the days leading up to and following the AGM is evidence that the NLFSC is seen as a serious and interested stakeholder in education. Our AGM received more media attention this year than ever before. There were articles printed in The Gander Beacon, The Humber Log, The Telegram and The Western Star. It was carried as a news item on both VOCM and CBC radio. Rogers Cable was present at the AGM in Corner Brook.

If you weren't able to attend, you will find a summary of the AGM in this issue of The Cuffer. If you would like more information on anything that was covered at the meeting, please contact us and we will try to get it for you.

Next year's AGM is the 25th Annual General Meeting for the Federation. A location in Central Newfoundland is being considered. More information will be forthcoming.

Executive Welcomes Two New Faces

Secretary: Karen Chubbs, St. Lewis
Treasurer: Adam Denny, St. John's

Thank you to former secretary Glyn George and former treasurer Cathy Vokey for their dedication.

The results of the third Canadian assessment of mathematics achievement for 13 and 16 year-olds were announced in early April. The tests were administered in May 2001 by the Council of Ministers of Education and showed about 2500 students tested in this province scored below the Canadian average. The test is a part of the School Achievement Indicators Program (SAIP).

Half the students were tested in content knowledge and the remainder in problem-solving with results reported in five levels of attainment from 1 (basic) to 5 (most complex). In the 2001 assessment, fewer students reached level 1 in both age groups in mathematics content than in 1997. More 13 year old students reached levels 2, 3, and 4 than in 1997 in problem solving.

For the 13 year-olds the performance level was 57 and 58 percent for content and problem solving, respectively, at level 2. For the 16 year-olds the performance level was 36 and 37 percent for content and problem solving respectively, at level 3. These are levels students are expected to achieve at these ages.

During February, March, and April, we received numerous telephone calls and comments regarding the math program in the province's schools.

When the SAIP results were published, the media picked up on the low performance of students and our President was requested to make comments on behalf of the Federation.

Knowing that Math would be a topic of discussion at our AGM, and that we would need as much information as possible, a meeting was held with the Department of Education. On April 19 we met with Marian Fushell to discuss the results of the SAIP assessment and the Math program in general.

The Math problem continues to be an issue. We are asking School Councils in high schools to give us feedback on the problems with Math 3205.

We are also asking all School Councils who have not already done so, to let us know of any concerns you have regarding the math program in general.

If we are to fulfill our role in being committed to enhancing the quality of school programs and improving the level of student achievement in our schools, then we need to be fully aware of what the issues are in the school curriculum as well as the learning environment.

The NLFSC is pleased to congratulate Immaculate Conception School Council, Colliers as the National Winner of the Canadian School Volunteer Program Award, and Paradise Elementary School Council, Paradise, as the Provincial Winner of the Canadian School Volunteer Program Award.

The Awards are generously sponsored by Healthy Alternatives, Inc. and the Walter & Duncan Gordon Foundation. The provincial award is $5,000 and the national award is $10,000.

As a result of the recent strike by NAPE school board support workers, a Study Group was established to examine the "hours of work" required for secretarial and janitorial/maintenance services in the various school districts.

The Study Group is composed of Fraser March, representing NAPE, Rex Hillier, representing CUPE, Dr. Bruce Sheppard, representing NLSBA, a representative of Treasury Board and Dr. Philip Warren as Chair.

The group will be visiting selected areas of the province during the latter part of May. The NLFSC will be making a presentation to the group. However, if you wish to make an oral presentation to that group, Dr. Warren advises that individual councils may still do so.

Goose Bay, May 21
Stephenville, May 22
Deer Lake, May 23
Gander, May 27
Clarenville, May 27 & 28
Bay Roberts, May 30
St. John's, May 31

"Leadership is the ability to influence others to work together towards a desired goal."

The Minister of Education has announced a Provincial Forum on Bullying for May 30th with a two day follow-up conference for the Fall. This forum will serve to assess the province's present strengths and needs in this area. The Forum is sponsored by the Department of Education and is being organized by Sandra Humphries of the Safe and Caring Schools Initiatives and her committee.

Approximately 120 people are expected to be invited to participate in the forum. There will be 4-5 representatives from each of the 10 districts. There will also be representatives from other agencies such as the RNC, RCMP, Association of Early Childhood, and Health and Community Services.

Bullying among young people is understood as repeated, negative actions committed by one child/youth or more against another. The actions may be physical, verbal, emotional, sexual and span many behaviours. These include: teasing, name calling, taunting, exclusion, ostracism, extortion, sexual harassment, manipulating friendships and physical violence. Implicit is the imbalance in real or perceived power between bully and victim.

Make your concerns regarding bullying known to the representatives from your area who will be attending the forum. You may also send your comments along to the Federation by e-mail at nflsc@stemnet.ca or by regular mail.

Annual General Meeting 2001 Report

NLFSC President, Denise Pike welcomed everyone in attendance. The participants consisted of 48 delegates, executive members, board trustees, speakers, guests, and staff, for a total of 74 people.

Greetings and best wishes for a successful AGM were brought by:

June Alteen, as Past President of NLSBA, and Chair of District #3 Board;
Dana Burridge, as Executive Member of the NLTA;
Sandra Humphries, on behalf of Minister Judy Foote, Department of Education.

The keynote speaker for the AGM was Dr. Ross Elliott, Director of District 3 School Board. He has worked in the formation of school councils since their inception in this Province.

Dr. Elliott interpreted the theme of the conference as meaning School Councils can empower parents on school councils who in turn can then empower other parents.

He stated that empowerment when shared, grows. One group is empowered by another. We empower by each filling a role. If you doubt the importance of education in a society, look at places where education has been in jeopardy for even one generation and you will see we are only ever one generation away from barbarism. What we are really doing is transmitting the value of our culture.

Dr. Elliott noted the ways that parents can influence school councils and how parents can influence the learning of their children. He noted that there are three ways:

(1) through governance--school councils, school boards
(2) volunteerism--in schools
(3) helping their own children in learning--homework, etc.

Research shows the most important one is parents helping students, instilling their attitudes about education.

When parents meet other parents, they bring familiarity and sometimes credibility to issues of student learning. Some of the other things that parents should be concerned with are the learning record of the school, school growth plans, advocacy of parents in community, and having school council committees which pull in other parents not just members on school councils.

Dr. Elliott postulates that school councils must align themselves with what parents do in their home.

Are the parents listening to what their children are saying, are they encouraging their children to speak.

Parents can play a healthy role. Parental influence on education doesn't relate as much to the level of education of the parents as it does the value parents put on education.

Thank you to the NLTA for printing this newsletter!

The Open Mike Session was led by President Denise Pike. Some of the topics of discussion were:

• Professional development for new programs being introduced.
• Teacher professional development after programs are introduced.
• Math Program: the issues and problems.
• Substitute time for teachers: a non-obvious issue.
• Shortage of qualified substitute teachers even if time is available: may be tied in to teacher shortage.
• Consolidation into bigger high schools: consequences of one large school.
• Boards should be concerned for children: not dollar sign.
• School reform dollars not put back in the schools as promised.
• Condition and quantity of textbooks.

There was general comment that we need more of these types of sessions.

Sandra Humphries, Student Support Services,

Department of Education presented an overview of the Safe and Caring Schools Initiative.

The Department of Education is a partner in the Violence Prevention Initiative of the Government. In support of this initiative, the Student Support Services Division of the Department of Education has established a Safe and Caring Schools Initiative to promote safe and caring learning environments and to be pro-active/preventative in addressing violence issues.

A Safe and Caring Schools Coordinating Committee has been established.

The Department is working collaboratively with the NLTA in planning and implementing various Safe and Caring Schools Initiatives.

The Department of Education is working with the three other Atlantic provinces to develop a Teacher Resource and Professional Development Package.

The focus of school districts is on professional development for teachers with the Safe and Caring Schools initiative.

There was general discussion around: guidance counselors; need for more preventative approach; need for professional development not only for teachers but for parents.

Some resources are available including:

The Policy Guidelines and Resource Guide on Discipline, Violence and Safe Schools Teams;

"Classroom Perspectives: Teachers Make a Difference"; "Chance for Childhood." Web site: http://www.gov.nf.ca/edu/dept/safesch.htm.

Katie Healey, Secretary, Corner Brook/Deer Lake/St. Barbe School District presented a quick overview of the role of school councils from a school board perspective. She stated that school boards and school councils in the Province need to work more closely together with each other and with parents to keep the education system healthy and productive.

She went on to stress the importance of unity and understanding in the province's education system. We need to be involved with each fulfilling our own role and working together to achieve the optimum for our students.

School councils should be focussed on helping parents to get involved with school councils. Increased parental and community involvement in the school can result in improved student achievement.

Ms. Healey stated that from feedback received by boards there is an urgent need for training for school councils.

Eva Whitmore, former Executive Director, NLFSC, presented an overview of the role of school councils as envisioned by the 1992 Royal Commission of Inquiry (the Williams Report) and the Pilot School Council Study focussing on the role of school councils as per the legislation, and in practice, with a look at the role of school councils in years to come.

The Williams Report saw councils as a means of improving achievement and increasing public advocacy for education. The councils would have legislated power to make decisions at the school level. It envisioned councils supported by boards and government, sharing in decisions involving curriculum, funding, and staffing.

In practice most councils are not fulfilling these goals. This is due to several factors including a lack of volunteers who have the necessary time and energy to take on these issues. What would be the ideal role for a school council to play?

Maybe a framework should be developed that allows for flexibility for council involvement in whatever issue is current in that particular school year. For this to work there is a need for trust and communication between all parties involved, the School Councils, the School Boards and the Department of Education.

Lesley French, Health and Community Services-Western, has been a member of the Coalition for Nutrition since it was formed in May of 2000. She presented a report on the Survey of Food and Nutrition Policies, Food Services, and Physical Activity Levels in Newfoundland and Labrador Schools. This survey was conducted by the Coalition for Nutrition in October 2000. See the insert in your March Cuffer for more on the survey.

The agenda and minutes of the business meeting will be available on our web site. If you would like a printed copy, please call the office at 739-4830.
The Annual Report, May 2001-April 2002, will also be available on the web site or upon request.
Some of the topics of discussion at the business meeting included: the school fees position paper, the discussion paper on labour disputes, the reduction in teacher allocations, the SAIP 2001 results, and the math program.

Resolution #1

Because of the concerns about access to nutritious food in our schools, raised in A Survey of Food and Nutrition policies and services in Newfoundland and Labrador Schools,

Be it resolved that the NLFSC encourage School Councils to work in a co-operative manner with their respective School Boards to move forward the development of Food and Nutrition policies for schools to improve access to nutritious food for students in schools throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

Resolution #2

Whereas: The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has legislated that school boards must accommodate and form school councils at each school in their districts. And, funds are needed for those school councils to operate in an organized and efficient manner.

Therefore Be It Resolved: That the NLFSC lobby the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to allocate through the school boards, sufficient funds, earmarked to operate school councils as authorized.

Background: Our experience has shown that without funds our school council is not as effective as we would hope. Our annual operational costs; such as mailouts, faxes, secretarial services, AGM's , etc. have to be absorbed through our school's operational budget, thereby reducing their working capital.

Resolution #3

Whereas: Teacher allocation is an ongoing concern for all schools, and the program content schools can offer is directly related to the number of teachers in a school,

Therefore Be It Resolved: That the NLFSC lobby the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador not to reduce any teacher allocations for the next three years and to include in core programs, additional allocation units for music and physical education as per recommendations of the Williams report.

Background: Students, parents and teachers are sick of the torment that government causes each and every spring when allocations are reviewed. We are left in a state of dismay for weeks, without knowing the future of our schools' programming content.

Resolution #4

Whereas: Parents become members of Home and School Associations and School Councils without knowledge of what has to be done,

Therefore Be It Resolved: The Federation of School Councils provide workshops for parents involved in Home and School Associations and School Councils.

Two candidates offered themselves for the position of secretary. The candidates were: Karen Chubbs, Chairperson, St. Lewis Academy School Council, St. Lewis, Labrador: and Margaret Smith-Browne (Peggy), Vice-Chairperson, Whitbourne Elementary School Council, Whitbourne. The election resulted in Karen Chubbs being elected as Secretary for 2002-2003.

During dinner, delegates enjoyed the wonderful music and singing of thirty of the students from Northshore Elementary under the direction of Mr. Derek Watton.
The students sang a variety of songs, played various musical instruments.

Immediately following dinner a town hall session moderated by David Elms saw participants engage in continuation of earlier discussions regarding: the role of school councils; the availability of substitute teacher time for professional development for teachers; the problems with the Math program; the consequences of reductions in teacher allocations; and elaborating further on the theme of the conference empowering parents on school councils and the role of parents in education.

On Sunday morning there were four workshops:

Dealing with the Media, led by Robert Verge, Publisher and General Manager of The Western Star in Corner Brook.

The School Improvement Planning Process-The Council Role, led by Charlotte Strong, Director, Division of Corporate Planning and Research, Department of Youth Services and Post Secondary Education.

School-Family Relationships: Research & Practices, led by Victor May, Principal of Elwood Primary School, Deer Lake, and Maureen Dickson, former chair, Bishops College School Council.

TV & ME: Connecting Children and Television Responsibly, led by Linda Millar, Director of Education, Concerned Children's Advertisers.

Conference Summary
The evaluation forms indicate that those who attended found the Annual General Meeting quite interesting and informative.

Thank you Thank you Thank you to:

The School Councils Who Sent Representatives:

Appalacia High School
Baie Verte Primary School
Balbo Elementary
Belanger Memorial School
Bishops Falls Academy
Bonne Bay Academy
Botwood Memorial Academy
C. C. Loughlin School
E A Butler High School
Elwood Primary School
Eric G. Lambert School
Grenfell Intermediate School
H G Fillier Academy
Herdman Collegiate
L.P. Purchase Academy
Lakewood Academy
Leading Tickles Elementary School
Lewisporte Collegiate
Northshore Elementary School
Pasadena Academy
Piccadilly Central High School
Point Leamington Academy
Prince of Wales Collegiate
Queen Elizabeth High School
Regina High School
St. Michael's School
St. James Elementary School
Stephenville High School
Straits Elementary School
Templeton Collegiate
Whitbourne Elementary School
Xavier Jr. High School

The Planning Sub-Committee on the West Coast:
Northshore Elementary School Council
especially Principal, Tony Oxford; Council Chair, Peggy McAuley; also, Alma Taylor, Tracey Porter, and Rhona Parsons.

The providers of speakers and/or transportation and/or accommodations for speakers:
Concerned Children's Advertisers
Coalition for Nutrition
Department of Education
Elwood Primary School Council
Newfoundland and Labrador School Boards Association
Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers Association
School District #3
The Western Star

The sponsor of our reception:
Healthy Alternatives, Inc.

The Financial Contributors:
Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers Association
Voisey's Bay Nickel Company Limited

The Entertainers:
Northshore Elementary School and Director, Mr Derek Watton.

The Booths and Displays:
Crimestoppers
College of the North Atlantic
Kids Eat Smart Foundation
Lionsquest
Literacy Development Council
NLTA
Public Legal Aid
Red Cross - Respect ED

Those who provided registration inserts:
City of Corner Brook
Fisher's Loft Inn
Johnson Inc.
Newfoundland & Labrador Credit Union
Newfoundland Power
Newtel
Virtual Teacher Centre
Western Newfoundland Visitors and Convention Bureau

Those who provided prizes for the draws:
Coleman's
College of the North Atlantic
Fishers Loft Inn
Funtime Learning
Provincial School Studios
Public Legal Information Assoc. of Newfoundland

I keep my ideals, because in spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.

Anne Frank

In addition to meetings with the Department of Education and other stakeholders in education, some of the committees and events we will be represented at this year are:

Advisory Committee on Special Needs
Canadian Teachers Federation AGM
Coalition for Nutrition
Education Newfoundland Website Advisory Committee
Families & Schools Together Planning Committee
Forum on Bullying
Provincial Dietitians of Canada Spring Conference
Safe and Caring Schools Provincial Advisory Committee
Steering Committee for Career Education Program for Community Career Centre
Study Group on Hours of Work

Let us know what you think!

As planning for the next year for the Federation begins, we need ideas and suggestions from you to help determine our priorities. What NLFSC activities do you find most important? What needs to be changed? What do you suggest? Give us your input.

SummerActive is a major national, community-based communications campaign designed to increase awareness about the importance of physical activity to health. The annual campaign - which runs between May 8th and June 21st - supports provincial/territorial governments, national organizations and community agencies in their efforts to increase public awareness about the benefits of adopting an active lifestyle.

To find out more about SummerActive visit the national Web site at www.summeractive.canoe.ca as well as Health Canada's site at www.healthcanada.ca/paguide.

For SummerActive enquiries, please contact Joe_Doiron@hc-sc.gc.ca.

National Aboriignial Day is June 21st, a celebration that recognizes the historical and contemporary contributions of Aboriginal peoples in Canada. Visit the web site at www.inac.gc.ca or telephone 1-866-734-1398.

We have been invited to nominate a candidate who may be deserving of the Governor General of Canada's Meritorious Service Decoration. This decoration for merit is awarded to individuals who have performed exceptional deeds over a limited period of time. These are acts or activities which have brought benefit or honour to Canada in a variety of fields, from public service to humanitarian achievements to dedicated advocacy. Do you know someone who might qualify? If you do, please contact the office for more information and the nomination form.

Have a safe and enjoyable summer and we look forward to hearing from you again in the fall.

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. Editor: Hazel Hickey.