Supporting York Region Parents to Get Involved In Education

Vaughan-York Region MPPs Steven Del Duca, Chris Ballard, Michael Chan, Dr. Helena Jazcek, and Reza Moridi are happy to announce Ontario is making it easier for more parents in York Region to take part in their children’s learning and well-being inside and outside the classroom, with funding for thousands of local projects across the province.

Applications are now open for Parents Reaching Out Grants for the 2017-18 school year, and will be accepted until May 25, 2017. Grants are available to school councils, Parent Involvement Committees, and not-for-profit organizations working with parents.

Last year over 167 local projects were funded in York Region, and they include:

 Markham Unionville $27,825

 Newmarket Aurora $28,540

 Oak Ridges-Markham $49,325

 Richmond Hill $21,000

 Vaughan $38,182

Helping parents take an active role in their children’s education is part of the government’s plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.

QUOTES

“Parents take on many roles — whether it’s helping with math homework, encouraging kids to pick up a book and read, or worrying about online safety. The Parents Reaching Out Grants are supporting projects across the province that assist parents tackle these everyday challenges and get more involved in their child’s learning." — Mitzie Hunter, Minister of Education

“Supporting parent involvement through the Parents Reaching Out Grant allows parents to take an active part in their child’s learning and well-being. I’m pleased to see that these grants lead to students earning higher grades, demonstrating better behaviour and social skills and continuing their education at a higher level.” ─Steven Del Duca, M.P.P., Vaughan

“I am pleased to see that more parents of students across Oak Ridges-Markham will be benefiting from the Parents Reaching Out Grants. These grants are a great way for parents to become more engaged in their children’s education, and I am happy to know that this funding is helping so many families across York Region. “ — Dr. Helena Jaczek, MPP, Oak Ridges-Markham

“Academic success is significantly increased when parents are actively engaged in the education of their children. Ontario's PRO Grants are designed to support parents in identifying barriers to parent engagement in their own community and to find local solutions to involve more parents in support of student achievement and well-being.” — Reza Moridi, M.P.P., Richmond Hill

QUICK FACTS

 This school year, more than 2,200 projects across all 72 school boards are helping parents find local solutions and hands-on opportunities to support their children’s achievement and well-being.

 Since 2006, the government has awarded more than 19,500 PRO grants to school councils and 799 regional/provincial grants — a total investment of nearly $31 million to help increase parent involvement in publicly funded education.

 Studies show that when parents are engaged in their children’s education, students are more likely to earn higher grades, have better behavior and social skills, and continue their education at a higher level.