January 31, 2008

Hamilton–School councils in the Hamilton community will receive funding for over 30 projects as part of the Ontario government’s investment in local parent engagement initiatives across Ontario.

“Parents put a lot of time, energy and creativity into their applications for these projects,” said Ted McMeekin MPP Ancaster Dundas Flamborough Westdale.

  “I am pleased that we are able to support innovative projects right here in Hamilton and area, that will encourage more parents to become engaged.” Added SophiaAggelonitisMPPHamiltonMountain.

Parents Reaching Out (PRO) grants support projects that help create a more welcoming environment for parents who face barriers to becoming engaged in their children's education or school.

Projects funded across the province include:

·        Workshops for parents to increase their engagement in their children’s education and their children’s school

·        Outreach run by the local school to increase awareness of the importance of parent engagement

·        Projects that support parent engagement in isolated communities

·        Translation of school materials in multiple languages, and

·        Other projectsto reduce barriers that prevent parents from becoming engaged in their children’s education.

More than 1,300 local, regional and provincial projects are being funded, for a total investment of $2.3 million. School councils in Hamilton area will receive over $24,815 for their local parent engagement projects.

 “We know that students whose parents are actively engaged in their education tend to feel better about school and to achieve more in class,” said Wynne.  “That’s why we are investing in projects that help reduce barriers to parent engagement.”

Parents Reaching Out Grants and the new Provincial Parent Board are part of the McGuinty government’s strategy to strengthen parents’ role in their children’s success at school.

Other ways the government is helping to support parent engagement:

?        Establishing Parent Involvement Committees at school boards to give parents a direct link to the Director of Education and trustees.

?        Funding 89 Parenting and Family Literacy centres in high-needs neighbourhoods across the province.  These centres focus on building children’s literacy and numeracy skills, engage parents in their children’s learning and can link families with appropriate community resources.

?        Launching the ministry’s ABC123 website which gives tips to parents in 14 languages on how to help their child with homework, reading, writing and math.

“Parents play a vital role in their children’s education,” added Aggelonitis.  “It is important for us to work with them to make it easier for more parents to get involved.”

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For further information, please contact

Ted McMeekin MPP  905-690-6552