Awards Recognizing Achievements and Volunteer Commitment

Article from Parenthèse published on 1 December 2022, in the Annual Conference category.

Each year, at the Fédération des parents conference, awards are presented to recognize a parents’ association that has distinguished itself, the contribution of parent volunteers throughout the province, as well as the achievements of an early childhood educator.

Led brilliantly by two members of the comedy group Improtéine, the opening night also included the opportunity to meet several representatives of Francophone organizations located at tables at the periphery of the room.

 

Parent Volunteers of the Year 2021-2022

Continuing a tradition, certificates of recognition honouring those named “Parent Volunteer of the Year” in their community were displayed for all participants to see during the conference.

A big congratulations and thank you goes out to all these “volunteers of the year,” with hope that their achievements can also be celebrated in their respective communities!

 

 

Parents’ Association of the Year Award

The 2021-2022 Prix Reconnaissance, awarded annually by the Commission nationale des parents francophones (CNPF), was presented to l’Association des parents de l’école des Cascades, in Duncan, on Vancouver Island.

After working hard to get a Francophone school to open in the region, the parents learned that their wish would come true... in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. They therefore had to face additional challenges resulting from the opening of a school under very special conditions. Thanks to their efforts, the new school welcomed a small group of children from kindergarten to Grade 3 in September 2020, and the following year saw the number of students double and its program extend to Grade 6.

Although the parents’ association (APÉ) had to be set up entirely virtually, its meetings were well-attended from the outset. Taking its role seriously, the young association quickly adopted rigorous practices and procedures, taking ownership of a spirit of governance that would ensure its proper functioning.

At the same time, the APÉ worked to develop a sense of community and organized community-building activities – including a “Fête de l’érable” and a camping weekend that brought together families from the school so that they could get to know each other. In addition, they obtained grants that have already allowed them to carry out some great projects, including a community garden for the school and a maple syrup production project!

In short, being a small school APÉ doesn’t prevent this association from thinking big and contributing in its own way to the vitality of Francophones in the Cowichan Valley. Warm congratulations to l’Association des parents de l’école des Cascades for winning this prestigious award!

 

Award for Excellence in Early Childhood Education in British Columbia 2021-2022

This year’s award went to Carole David of la Garderie et prématernelle Saute-Mouton in Victoria.

Always looking to improve the programming of the centre where she works, Carole never hesitates to make changes to adjust and enrich it. By presenting stimulating and diverse activities, she keeps different learning styles in mind to succeed in captivating each child. Her great motivation leads her to invent new games and beautiful stories that arouse enthusiasm and delight in the little ones!

Very committed to families, she takes the time to talk to each parent. She asks questions in order to get to know the children better. All the children love her, and the parents do too.

In addition, Carole is always ready to help her colleagues; she is also able to bring together the centre’s team and create a joyful and motivating momentum, which the families can sense as well. With everybody’s success at heart, she seeks to provide solutions to challenges, but also knows how to give way to her colleagues in order to let them shine.

Congratulations to Carole! As she could not attend Richmond on November 19, the award was presented to her at her centre in Victoria.

 

Photo 1: Vincent Poirier and Olivier Nadon, from Improtéine, were the hosts of the evening.

Photo 2: Mary Dougherty, secretary and founding member of l’Association des parents de l’école des Cascades, accepts the CNPF plaque from Josée Martel of the Fédération des parents.

Photo 3: Michael Cameron, board member of la Garderie Saute-mouton, receives the plaque that he can bring back to the award-winning educator, Carole David, from Jocelyne Ky of the Fédération des parents.

Crédit photos © Gaetan Nerincx