Parenthése | La voix des parents de Colombie-Britannique FPFCB Annual General Meeting The Fédération held its annual ge- neral meeting (AGM) on Saturday, November 18, 2006 in Richmond. Some forty delegates and a dozen obser- vers were on hand for the business mee- ting. President's Report (summary) “In the preschool sector, we are beginning to see positive impact as a result of the prio- rity given this issue by the various players. Fol- lowing extension of its mandate, which now includes early learning, the Ministry of Edu- cation now recognizes FPFCB as a player. The effect of this recognition is a significant increase in funding, which, among other things, enables us fo hire a preschool and daycare network coordinator. We are also about to put the final touches on a service agreement with the CSF (French School Board). The accord calls upon the FPFCB to be responsible for the tasks associated with implementing CSF early learning strategies. On the academic side, there has also been some remarkable progress. Implementa- tion of CSF guidelines is on the right track and the FPFCB is playing an active role. We sit on the Educational Advisory Committee, which formulates recommendations for the CSF board of managers on issues regar- ding educational programs and services. We are also represented in working groups progressing cultural and community issues and technological advances resulting from implementation of the guidelines. AS you can see, matters have evolved considerably during the past twelve months. However, the most significant achievement of this past year has to be the CSF-Ministry of Education accord calling for additional funding for each of the next five years. The agreement crowns ten years of efforts by the CSF and FPFCB...and we are very proud of this achievement. The additional funding will give the CSF the manoeuvring room needed to implement its plan, to the benefit of the students, the centre of our attention. In conclusion, | believe that this past year has been one of our most productive in terms of moving FPFCB issues forward. However, we are well aware that there is still much work to be done. Many schoo! communities lack the space they need to grow or offer high quality educational programs and services. There is still a need to develop the cultural and community dimensions of the educa- tional system, Preschools and daycares are not yet fully integrated into all francophone elementary schools. School planning com- mittee operations offen leave much to be desired. There are numerous issues and the stakes remain high, but rest assured that the FPFCB is making a determined effort fo find acceptable solutions.” 2006-2011 Strategic Plan You will recall that, last year, the AGM ap- proved the FPFCB orientations and strate- gic plan for 2006-2011. These remain un- changed. Major focuses of the 2006-2011 Strategic Plan: 4- Early learning and family services 5- Participation of parents 6- — Efficiency of the organization Vision The FPFCB vision: That families benefit from a family, educational, and community en- vironment that encourages their full deve- lopment in French. Mission The FPFCB mission: To support British Colum- bia parents in their role as prime educa- tors of their children and fo promote their involvement in the establishment of an INGRES /AGA 2006 bocce cece cece eee eee eee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesseeeeees educational system and community that encourages the full development in French of children and their families. | Discussions among Parents’ Associations _ One of the most intense mo-- ments of the meeting is often the sub-group discussions — -among APEs from the same region. or from similar schools (unilingual or mixed schools, school size, etc.). First, one by one the APE representati- ves outlined interesting events in their school communities. They focussed on success and major achievements, as well as on challenges faced and the solutions used to meet these chal- lenges. Each year, it is truly impressive to see the number of activities, pro- grams, and fund-raising events taking place in the school communities! It's amazing to see the resilience of the parents who work against all odds to provide the best for our children and to ensure that the people who work with them also share this concern. Next, the FPFCB asked each APE to identify ITS priority for the current aca- demic year. Some mentioned com- munications with parents, while others noted recruitment of students and visibility for the school or even the im- portance of getting parents involved © in APE activities. Lastly, the APEs suggested how the - | FPFCB could assist their efforts. This | exercise allowed the FPFCB to gather _ the feedback needed to properly | __ support its members during the co- ming months.