The 2020 FALL CONFERENCE: Under the Immediate Circumstances
November 16-26 on ZOOM
The 2020 Edition of the fall conference will be quite unlike any held previously, in keeping with the exceptional times in which we are living. As the saying goes, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” Our reinvented fall conference will be held online via Zoom over a two-week period, from November 16th to 26th. Seven workshops will be offered; all will take place in the evening. Each workshops is 1½ to 2 hours long.
While we are sorry we cannot meet in person at our traditional day-long event, we are pleased to offer this alternate format. Read all about the interesting workshops below. See you online!
How to Register— 2020 Fall Conference
You are invited to register for as many workshops as you wish. The workshops are free, but space is limited. Register for each workshop individually by clicking on the link in the workshop description. You will receive an email to confirm your registration.
Workshop 1: Media Literacy: Reading Between the Lines in our Digital World
Tuesday, November 17th, 2020
7:00 p.m.
Media Literacy is the ability to access, analyze and evaluate the many complex messages presented through mass media. It focusses on helping young people become more careful and critical consumers of media messages so that they can make more informed choices about their health, purchases, and values. As parents, we have plenty to be concerned about when our children use the internet (safety, stranger danger, but also misinformation and the marketing and advertising behind social media). This workshop examines the quickly expanding list of forces and factors in online media that skew perspective and leverage naïveté. Learn how to discuss this important topic with your children. A 45-minute presentation followed by 45 minutes for questions and discussion.
About our Presenter: Samantha Whipps is a mother of two elementary-aged children and a marketing and live events professional with a background in television production. She has spent the last 20 years working with international brands and marketing agencies to strategize how to connect with audiences through storytelling and live experiences.
Workshop 2: Head and Heart—Caring for our Emotional and Mental Health
Wednesday, November 18th, 2020
7:00 p.m.
Caring for our mental and emotional health can be a delicate balancing act on the best of days… For many of us, these challenging times are taking things to a whole other level!
When under significant and prolonged stress, we often (unknowingly) resort to self-sabotaging thoughts and behaviours. This webinar seeks to strengthen our awareness of these subconscious reactions and lessen their negative hold over us. We will explore tools and strategies to support a stronger sense of control and balance—both inside and out.
About our Presenter: Family Life Educator Karen Delage has worked with the Youth Protection mandate for over 15 years. Resolute in empowering parents with prevention-based education and skills, she offers various webinars, group work, and one-on-one parent coaching. Please do not hesitate to contact her for more information: parenteenfocus@gmail.com or 514-575-5591.
Workshop 3: Vocational Education—Follow Your Passion
Thursday, November 19th, 2020
7:00 p.m.
PLEASE NOTE: This workshop has been cancelled. We hope to reschedule it in the spring.
Learn about vocational training programs across the province of Quebec with Maggie Soldano, Director of Continuing Education at the Lester B. Pearson School Board. From high-school students to adults seeking a career change, vocational training is well worth considering. Find out more in this informative workshop. The presentation will be approximately 1 hour and will be followed by a 1-hour question period—so there will be plenty of time for your questions!
About our Presenter: Maggie Soldano has over 20 years of experience in the adult and vocational sector and she firmly believes in promoting the value of vocational education to the young and young at heart. She is a member of the Provincial Organization of Continuing Education Directors, English (PROCEDE) as well as a member of the Comité de coordination TRÉAQ (Table des responsables de l’éducaton des adultes du Québec), where she represents the nine English school boards.
Workshop 4: School at Home
Monday, November 23rd, 2020
7:00 p.m.
During these challenging times, it isn’t easy for parents, whether they have one or many children at home, to set up conditions that are conducive to online learning. Parents have to contend with many variables ranging from bandwidth concerns and hardware requirements to privacy and ergonomics, not to mention curricular challenges. This interactive workshop will address many of the concerns parents have as they attempt to ensure their children continue along a successful learning pathway. In addition, parents will gain a better understanding of their complicated roles as they seek to support their children.
About our Presenters: Dr. Michael Canuel is the CEO of LEARN Quebec and co-founder of the Canadian e-Learning Network. For this presentation, he is joined by Carolina Toteda, Program Integration, Marketing and Communications Lead for LEARN and the parent of a child learning from home.
Workshop 5: The ABC’s of Canadian Black History
Tuesday, November 24th, 2020
7:00 p.m.
Now more than ever, we understand the importance of teaching our children about equality, respect, and empathy for all members of our society. In her workshop, Dorothy Williams, M.A., Ph.D., will introduce The ABC’s of Canadian Black History kit, a useful tool for educators to explore African Canadian history and its cultural heritage. This cross-curricular kit is the inaugural project of Blackbiblio.com Inc., a company founded by Dr. Williams to share the African Canadian experience. The kit includes games, puzzles, and flash cards that introduce diversity and teach our children about history, geography, settlement, justice and the law, personal achievement, role modelling, perseverance and belonging.
About our Presenter: Dr. Dorothy Williams holds a Masters degree in History and Library Studies and a Doctorate in African Canadian Bibliography and Archives. The author of several books on Montreal Black history, she has worked extensively with the provincial and federal governments, lending her voice to a number of projects and dossiers.
Workshop 6: It’s 2020—Is Now a Good Time to Move our Home & School “ONLINE”?
Wednesday, November 25th, 2020
7:00 p.m.
What does online H&S look like? We’ll go over what it means to have your H&S “online.” Learn the ins and outs of the online system. Topics covered include mailing lists, online payments, class lists, communicating with parents, fundraiser coordinating, and more! Experience how the system makes your H&S better. Walk through the process as a parent and a fundraiser coordinator and experience how much easier it is for everyone.
About our Presenter: As a software developer by training, Corinna Rake has always had a passion for using technology to solve problems and design efficient solutions. She has been building websites for small business owners since 2003 and volunteered her time creating and operating a fully customized, online solution for Clearpoint H&S (in Pointe-Claire) over the past 6 years. Corinna loves teaching others how to use the solutions she has built in simple, beginner walk-you-through videos.
Workshop 7: Supporting Your Child’s Physical Literacy Development at Home
Thursday, November 26th, 2020
7:00 p.m.
Physical literacy is the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge, and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life. This workshop will help parents develop a more comprehensive understanding of physical literacy’s role and importance for elementary school-aged children. It includes practical examples of how it can be acquired through fun and engaging activities at home.
About our Presenters: Joanne Lawson has a Bachelor’s degree in Education and an Honours degree in Physical and Health Education. She brings her years of experience as a teacher to her dual role as a program director and curriculum/resource developer with the Champions for Life Foundation. Christopher Laurin is the Director of Marketing and Business Development for the Champions for Life Foundation. With over 30 years of experience in fitness and recreation operations, he specializes in innovative program development, marketing, strategic and operational planning, and staff development. Christopher has a Bachelor’s degree in Leisure Studies from Concordia University.
Memories from the 2019 FALL CONFERENCE
The 2019 edition of the QFHSA Fall Conference was held on November 9, 2019 at Macdonald High School in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec. The day-long event was an opportunity for Home and School delegates from across the province to meet and listening to inspiring speakers.
The videos on this page give you a snapshot of the events of the day.
Click on the first link below to hear Keynote Speaker Mr. Geoff Kelley, the Chair of the Alliance for the Promotion of English Language Education in Quebec (APPELLE), talk about the fundamental issues at stake for our schools.
Click on the second link below for a short video presentation of the day’s activities.