Oapce in action

  Led by our Co-Executive Director, Joe Perri, we’ve put together a motivational presentation that recognizes the work that parents and guardians do every day that contributes to the continued success of students in Catholic education across Ontario. This mentoring initiative empowers parents and guardians to successfully advocate and work with all partners around the table, through dedication, perseverance and teamwork! Joe walks through the meaning behind each letter in the word “A-D-V-O-C-A-C-Y” to highlight the power that comes with it when executed to its fullest potential.

The Friends and Advocates of Catholic Education (FACE) hosted a Lobby Day at Queen’s Park on Tuesday May 14th where the Co-Executive Directors of OAPCE and all the Catholic Partners met with MPPs and other Catholic partners to express the importance of Catholic Education. The Archbishop of Toronto, His Grace Francis Leo as well as the Minister of Education was in attendance as well as Student Trustees and other politicians. It was an opportunity to connect with all partners in Catholic Education and to hear the commitment from everyone to ensure that the Gift of Catholic Education remains prevalent in Ontario today. 

With gender identity and its place in schools exploding across the Canadian media landscape, a Catholic parent group is pleased to find political proponents of safeguarding parental voice and authority. Ontario Premier Doug Ford is the latest leader to add his voice to the gender pronoun debate, following New Brunswick and Saskatchewan Premiers Blaine Higgs and Scott Moe in supporting the parental right to be informed should their child wish to change their identifying pronoun. “It’s not up to the teachers. It’s not up to the school boards to indoctrinate our kids,” said Ford to a crowd attending Ford Fest in Kitchener, Ont., on Sept. 8. “It’s the parents’ responsibility to hear what the kids are doing and not the school boards. I can’t even figure out what school boards do nowadays, by the way.” Ford’s remarks are sympatico to what Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce said on Aug. 28 about a child’s decision to use a different pronoun at school. “I think we understand though that parents must be fully involved and fully aware of what’s happening in the life of their children. I mean, often there are health implications, and I think we have to respect the rights of parents and recognize that these can be life-changing decisions, and I think parents want to be involved so that they can support their kids. And I think that’s a really important principle that we must uphold.” Joe Perri, the co-executive director of the Ontario Association of Parents In Catholic Education (OAPCE), agrees with Ford and Lecce. He said his organization strives to safeguard the voice and authority of the parents. “We work to create a partnership between parents and schools, where parents are empowered to be actively involved in their children’s education and have a meaningful voice in decision-making processes,” said Perri. “Any changes or decisions regarding their child’s gender identity or any other non-curricular items are a family matter.” Gender identity and other hot topics related to sexual orientation in schools have generated intense debate between a host of different stakeholder groups. The question about gender pronouns or if a Catholic school should raise the Pride flag in June are a front in the ever-raging culture wars. Last month, the Angus Reid Institute provided a statistical glimpse into how Canadians feel about whether parents should be informed and if they should have consent over their child’s decision to change their preferred name or pronoun. The study revealed only 14 per cent of respondents believe parents should neither be informed nor have consent. Forty-three per cent state parents must be informed and give consent for this change, while 35 per cent affirmed parents only need to be informed if their child chooses a different identification. One perspective not often heard in the pronoun debate is the Archdiocese of Toronto, which partners with the Dufferin-Peel, Durham, Simcoe Muskoka, Toronto, York and the Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir Catholic school boards. “In matters of Catholic education, we often speak of the partnership that exists between parish, home and school,” said Neil MacCarthy, the director of public relations and communications for the Archdiocese. “Each plays a critical role in the formation of our young people. We also recognize that parents are the first educators of their children. While the archdiocese does not oversee publicly funded Catholic schools, parents rightly expect that all partners in Catholic education will ensure that Catholic teaching is presented, lived and infused in all that we do.” Perri vowed that OAPCE will be that voice keeping the Catholic schools accountable. “We will always be a voice of parents in Catholic schools, as we are mandated in the Education Act and engage, advocate and enhance the gift of Catholic education,” said Perri. Read The Article

Parent engagement has faced its fair share of challenges over the years. Many parents have felt disconnected from the school community, lacking opportunities to voice their concerns both at the local and board level, and to contribute actively to decision-making processes. During the pandemic so much of what had been part of school life shut down. And many parents spoke of not feeling an open welcome as schools reopened. Post-pandemic, parents are once again finding their voice. Now, they seem to be regaining their footing in the life of the school. It has been a challenge, but thankfully there is a shift happening with parents being re-engaged and recognized as key stakeholders in their children’s education. The Ontario Association of Parents in Catholic Education, as the voice of parents in Catholic education, is actively bridging the gap between parents, school leaders and educators, empowering parents to lead and advocate for their children’s education “In a world where education is constantly evolving to meet the needs of a technologically advancing society, parents have a vital role to play in this process. As we celebrate the 85th anniversary of the Ontario Association of Parents in Catholic Education (OAPCE), we recognize the importance of parent leadership in shaping the entire education landscape in Ontario,” reiterates Annalisa Crudo-Perri, Co-Executive Director, OAPCE. “These are challenging times in Catholic education; it is crucial for parents to be involved and take on leadership roles to ensure their child receives an education through a Catholic perspective, an education that reflects their values and beliefs.” Education is not just the responsibility of boards, schools and administrators; it is a partnership between parents and educators. When parents take on leadership roles and work alongside schools and educators, the school community thrives. The benefits of parent leadership are numerous. It improves parent engagement and involvement in the school community. Parents who become more invested in their child’s education feel a stronger sense of belonging in the school’s success, resulting in improved communication and collaboration among all stakeholders. An inclusive and supportive learning environment can be created through the active participation of parent leaders. By contributing these unique perspectives, experiences and skills, parent leaders enrich the decision-making processes, ensuring that the education provided reflects the values and beliefs of Catholic families. Parent leaders have a deep understanding of their child’s strengths, needs and learning styles, which can build instructional strategies and interventions. Moreover, their diverse backgrounds and expertise contribute to the overall growth and richness of the school community. When parents feel valued and included, they are more likely to actively contribute their time and skills to support the school’s initiatives, which fosters a sense of community and belonging within the school environment. Volunteering in the classroom, organizing community events and supporting field trips are just a few examples of parent involvement that can strengthen the school community. Inherently, many parents are engaged early on at the elementary school level. However, as children transition into high school, for many parents that parent engagement seems to stop. “Continuing to be involved, whether to attend the parent council meetings or involve themselves with larger coordinated support initiatives in high school, is an invaluable ingredient to our children’s school successes,” states Joe Perri, Co-Executive Director, OAPCE, and one of the speaking hosts of the Beyond-U presentation “Home, School & Beyond.” Parents have the power to inspire their children and those around them. By working together, parents, school leaders and teacher leaders can create a supportive network that benefits everyone involved, especially in our children’s transformative teenage years. The current challenges in Catholic education demand active parent leadership. Amidst the ongoing concerns of vast changes to the cultures of schools and in the classrooms, the need to uphold Catholic values is imperative. Parents have a unique role to play in preserving and enhancing Catholic education. As the primary educators of their children, parents can advocate for policies and programs that align with Catholic teachings. They can collaborate with school leaders and educational leaders to create a school environment that fosters Catholic.

The “debate” on educational issues at the Halton Catholic District School Board (HCDSB) is becoming as “toxic” and predictable as that at the TCDSB. Anti-Catholicism “woke” progressives seem determined to have their way, even if the Law says they cannot. They spend a lot of money commissioning legal opinions – at Board expense – so they can have their way. It does not always work out. The “urgency” of letting a non-Catholic student trustee serve on the Board is a case in point. Read the Article

The word advocate has taken on a whole different level for the parents of children in our Catholic education system. When a child begins his/her school journey at the tender age of four, parents may never imagine the degree of participation required in their child’s education. Click here