QUÉBEC, June 2, 2025 / CNW/ – The fourth edition of the National Week for Parental Engagement in Education is launched! From 1is As of June 7, schools and actors in the education community were invited to enhance and celebrate parental commitment in their environment.
Quebec)” data-getimg=”https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2701210/F_d_ration_des_comit_s_de_parents_du_Qu_bec_Semaine_nationale_de.jpg?w=600″ id=”imageid_2″ alt=”Melissa Lennon, spouse of Mathieu Demers, her children, Jérôme Maltais, Mélanie Laviolette and Suzette Bernard and Viviane Drapeau, administrators of the FCPQ. (CNW group/Federation of Parents of Parents of Quebec)” class=”gallery-thumb img-responsive” rel=”newsImage” itemprop=”contentUrl” loading=”lazy”/>
The Federation of Parents of Parents of Quebec (FCPQ) launched this week’s activities in the Gala Recognition on May 31, 2025, in Quebec. On this occasion, Jérôme Maltaisfrom the CSS of the Draveurs parents committee, was appointed parent winner of the Order of the 2025 Federation to underline its leadership, its sustained involvement and its achievements. A special distinction in Memoriam has also been awarded to Mathieu Demers posthumously to honor his contribution and commitment to the Parents Committee of the CSS in theSherbrooke.
19 committed parents from all over Quebec were also chosen by their parents’ committee to receive the medal for money recognition. 18 Parents committees gave ribbons of bronze recognition to their extraordinary parents, an increase of 20% compared to last year. Finally, 112 schools in 28 school service centers have given recognition certificates deserves their volunteer parents, an increase of 35%!
“By their actions motivated by the success and well-being of students, the volunteer parents contribute positively to the school environment and to the sustainability of parental commitment. Valuing their involvement is a winner for everyone! “, According to the president of the FCPQ, Mélanie Laviolette.
The FCPQ has developed several tools Available free of charge to facilitate participation in this event in primary and secondary schools. Here is an overview of the tools:
- Bands to color.
- Thanks cards for the parents committed.
- A labyrinth on the theme of parental commitment.
The FCPQ invites the instances of the school environment to celebrate their parents and to share their events and achievements on social networks with the keyword #Monparentengagé.
Profile of the Federation of Parents of Parents of Quebec (FCPQ)
The Federation of Parents of Parents of Quebec (FCPQ) brings together parents’ committees of more than 90 % of Quebec school service centers. For over 50 years, it has supported volunteer parents concerned with parental participation in primary and secondary public schools in order to ensure the quality of education offered to children.
Source Federation of Parents of Parents of Quebec
Source: Stéphanie Rochon, communications director, cellular: (581) 985-7137, email: [email protected]
National Week for Parental Engagement in Education: Why it Matters now More Than Ever – An Expert Interview
Time.news: Welcome, readers. This week marks the fourth annual National Week for Parental Engagement in Education in Quebec (June 1-7, 2025). To delve deeper into the importance of parental involvement and what this initiative means for students and schools, we’re joined by Dr. Eleanor Vance, a leading expert in educational psychology and family-school partnerships. Dr.Vance, welcome to Time.news.
Dr. Vance: Thank you for having me. I’m happy to discuss this crucial topic.
Time.news: Dr. Vance,the Federation of Parents of Parents of Quebec (FCPQ) launched this week with a Gala Recognition,honoring dedicated parents. Why is this type of recognition so vital? What impact dose it have on parental engagement in education?
Dr. Vance: Recognition is a powerful motivator. By publicly acknowledging the contributions of these committed parents, the FCPQ sets a precedent and inspires others. Seeing peers awarded for their leadership and sustained effort demonstrates that parental involvement is valued and has a tangible impact. It reinforces the idea that parental engagement isn’t just a nice-to-have, but a critical component of a thriving school environment. That the FCPQ is seeing growth in gratitude,such as a 20% increase of ribbons of bronze recognition compared to the previous year,shows that communities are celebrating parental involvement.
Time.news: The article highlights that 112 schools in 28 school service centers gave recognition certificates to volunteer parents, a 35% increase! what does this spike signify?
Dr. Vance: A 35% increase is very meaningful. It suggests a growing awareness within schools and service centers of the powerful role parental support of education plays. It could be influenced by numerous factors: targeted campaigns promoting parental involvement, schools actively seeking parent volunteers, or even a broader societal understanding of the connection between parental engagement and student success. The more involved parents are,the better results for students as a whole.
Time.news: The FCPQ president, Mélanie Laviolette, emphasizes that valuing parental involvement is “a winner for everyone.” Can you elaborate on the specific benefits of parental engagement for students, schools, and the community as a whole?
Dr.Vance: Absolutely. For students, parental involvement in education is linked to improved academic performance, higher attendance rates, enhanced social-emotional development, and increased graduation rates.children whose parents are actively involved tend to have greater confidence, motivation, and a more positive attitude toward learning. Schools benefit from a more supportive learning environment, increased volunteer support, and stronger ties with the community. Involved parents can advocate for resources, participate in decision-making processes, and help create a welcoming and inclusive school culture. And finally the community benefits from students success and growth.
Time.news: The FCPQ provides free tools, such as coloring bands and thank-you cards, to encourage participation. how effective are these straightforward resources in fostering parent engagement, and what other practical steps can schools take to encourage parental involvement?
Dr. Vance: Simple tools can be surprisingly effective in getting things started. They lower the barrier to entry for busy parents who may not know how to get involved. A thank-you card from a child or a school shows value and encourages more behavior. In addition to tools, schools can offer flexible volunteer opportunities, communicate regularly with parents through multiple channels (email, newsletters, social media), host workshops and training sessions on supporting student learning at home, create parent advisory councils, and celebrate cultural diversity to ensure all families feel welcome and represented. And, crucially, schools should consider language barriers and access to technology when designing parent engagement initiatives.
Time.news: The article mentioned an “in Memoriam” award given to Mathieu Demers for his contribution to the Parents Committee of the CSS in Sherbrooke. Can you touch on the sustainability of parental involvement initiatives?
Dr. Vance: The dedication from Mathieu Demers embodies how impactful parental involvement can be. To ensure sustainable changes in parental involvement initiatives, proper training must be provided for all stakeholders, not just parents but also teachers and administrators, to facilitate more effective collaboration. Regular assessment of the initiatives should be done to identify what works and where programs can be modified.
Time.news: Dr. Vance, what is your key piece of advice for parents who want to become more involved in their children’s education but don’t know where to start?
Dr. vance: start small and focus on what interests you.Attend school events,volunteer in the classroom,join the parent-teacher association,or simply have regular conversations with your child about their school day. Remember, even small acts of parental support of education can make a big difference.The key is to show your child that you value their education and are invested in their success.
Time.news: Dr. Vance, thank you so much for sharing your expertise with us today. Your insights are invaluable as we celebrate National Week for Parental Engagement in Education.
Dr.Vance: My pleasure. Thank you for highlighting this important topic.
