🍎 It's time to register for 73rd AGM & Conference
Please register your school and ensure it is represented at this meeting.
Bullying is being addressed by guest speaker Alain Pelletier at the AGM.
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Time: 08:40 a.m. – 02:50 p.m.
Fee: $40 per person
Place: Rodd Charlottetown Hotel, 75 Kent Street, Charlottetown
    Conference Highlights: Theme: “Stop Bullying. Start Belonging.”
    A.M. Keynote Speaker: Alain Pelletier “5 Faces of Bullying”
Workshop Topics:
    1. Child Exploitation Unit
    2. “5 Faces of Bullying"
    3. Food, Finances & Fundamentals, etc.
Participation: This meeting is open to all parents and educators! While each member school is limited to five (5) voting delegates, more than 5 people can register to attend from each school. The greater the attendance, the richer the discussions.
REGISTER by early deadline April 1st at: https://peihsf.ca/agm/
PEI Home and School Federation contact information: 902-620-3186 | peihsf@gov.pe.ca
🍎 Review 2026 Proposed Resolutions before the AGM
Resolutions submitted by local Home and School Associations will be discussed and voted on at the Annual General Meeting on April 18. Please ensure your voting delegates (parents and educators) review these resolutions in advance so they come to the meeting ready to vote.
The proposed resolutions include:
2026-01 = Integrating Playground Equipment into the Provincial Capital Budget
2026-02 = Increase Psycho-Educational Assessment Capacity for School-Aged Children in Prince Edward Island
2026-03 = Repeal Section 43 and Prohibit Corporal Punishment of Children
2026-04 = Urging Compliance with PEI Teacher Librarian Directive (Md 2025-05) By Hiring A Provincial Teacher-
Librarian Leader
Find proposed resolutions online: https://peihsf.ca/agm/
🍎 School Bus Driver Award
The PEI Home and School Federation’s School Bus Driver of the Year Award celebrates the dedicated bus drivers who help keep PEI’s students safe every day as they travel to and from school. Nominations for the 2026 award are now open! Submit your nomination by May 8, 2026.
🍎 National Volunteer Week, April 19-25, 2026. Ignite Volunteerism:
A year-long, nation-building celebration. We will celebrate how people in Canada have ignited volunteerism in their communities to deepen our collective impact. Visit: https://ivy26.ca/ for resources
🍎 PSB School Board Trustee Reports
Congratulations to the Public Schools Branch Board of Trustees' new Chair, Andrew MacFarlane, and Vice-Chair, Karen Clare, who assumed their one-year roles on March 13, 2026.
Westisle (Zone 1)
Andrew Avery, Zone 1 Trustee for the PSB, has been working to meet all 9 schools in the Westisle Family of Schools since his Feb. 9 by-election win by acclamation. The primary concern across all schools is the need for more support staff, particularly teachers and educational assistants. The shortage of trained EAs is expected to worsen for the 2026-2027 school year, and Avery will advocate for addressing this in upcoming PSB budgets. On Feb 10, Hon. David Jenkins released a report on Student Safety in Island Schools with recommendations to ensure safe learning environments. Avery expressed concerns about the by-election process, which relied solely on mail-in ballots with a tight timeline, and plans to request a full review to establish the proper Election Day, in-person voting stations for 2028. He encourages community members to volunteer for school breakfast programs, noting that students who eat breakfast are more focused learners. Tignish Elementary Principal, Mike Ellsworth, received the 2026 Doug MacDougall Inspire Award for his dedication and positive impact on students and staff. Andrew Avery (andrewavery@edu.pe.ca)
Bluefield (Zone 4)
I’ve been able to meet some Home and School Associations in my zone and will schedule more meetings soon! In the meantime, I encourage people to reach out to me with any concerns or questions. I’m also looking forward to attending the AGM on April 18 and having great conversations with Home and School Association members. I’ve attended this AGM several times and have always found these meetings to be both informative and an excellent opportunity to network. Karen (kclare@edu.pe.ca)
Charlottetown (Zone 5)
With the warmer days of April bringing energy and smiles to everyone, we’re excited by the prospect of joining one of your upcoming Home and School Association Zone 5 meetings. We’d also be thrilled to lend a hand with any student events you have in the works for May. Supporting the fun and learning that make our schools so special is important to us. In March, we had the pleasure of attending the awarding of the “Extra Mile” award to Mrs. Jill Burry of Stonepark Intermediate School. The affection and respect the students and educators displayed for Mrs. Burry were truly inspiring. It was a privilege to be asked to participate in this ceremony, and congratulations again, Mrs. Burry! Public School Board meeting minutes are available in the Board of Trustees section of the Public Schools Branch website. Kindest regards & Happy Easter to All! Andrew (amacfarlane@edu.pe.ca) & Gaylene (gcarragher@edu.pe.ca)
Shirley Smedley Jay
Executive Director
P.E.I. Home and School Federation
PO Box 1012 Charlottetown PEI C1A 7M4
(40 Enman Crescent Rm 121 Charlottetown PEI C1E 1E6)
902-620-3186 / 902-218-8916
https://twitter.com/peihsf
https://www.facebook.com/peihsf
**************************************
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------