Richard Froese
South Peace News
Peace River School Division has several activities scheduled during the PRSD Families Matter Week from Feb. 18–21.
A 13-year tradition, the week recognizes the important role families have in student success, says an PRSD news release dated Feb. 11.
Board chair Crystal Owens says the week and activities celebrate families.
“Families Matter Week is a very exciting week in the Division that we look forward to every year,” Owens says.
“It provides students and staff an opportunity to say thank you to our families for their encouragement, support and involvement.
“They are such an important part of the education system and their contributions deserve a week of recognition.”
Every PRSD student will be given class time to reflect and write messages of appreciation on specially created “Families Matter” cards that they will then give to the special family members.
The week-long celebration was created in 2011 when PRSD students expressed an outpouring of appreciation for their parents’ support in their education and life in an online campaign.
When students were asked “How can parents be involved in student success?” a high number of students responded with posts of heartfelt appreciation.
The online engagement committee reviewed the results, and decided to create a week dedicated to parents and guardians.
“How empowering for students to know their voice created this week of special recognition and how special for parents and guardians to know they are so deeply appreciated,” Owens says.
A schedule of events is posted on the website at prsd.ab.ca.