(Cyber)bullying and aggression are not new experiences among children and youth. What is new, however, is what we have learned about why they engage in that behaviour. Drawing from over a decade of work with children and youth, let’s take a look at some of these underlying reasons and motivations and what we can do to create more caring connections.

What is Grand Erie Parent Involvement Committee (GEPIC)?

GEPIC acts as an advisory body to the Grand Erie District School Board, providing an important link between parents and the Board’s Trustees and Director of Education. GEPIC recognizes that parent/guardian involvement is a key component to the success of students and helps build thriving school communities. Under the Ministry of Education's Parent Engagement Policy, all school boards are required to have a committee comprised of a majority of parents that is directly linked to the Director of Education and Trustees.    

The purpose of GEPIC is to:

• Support, encourage and enhance meaningful parent involvement at the Board level
• Improve student achievement and well-being
• Embrace belonging and inclusion, and address barriers to engagement
• Communicate important information from the Ministry of Education to parents/guardians
   

How Does GEPIC Help Build Parent Engagement?

GEPIC members have the opportunity to build partnerships in education, network and share ideas with their peers, and support strategies to enhance parental involvement in schools and at the Board level. This is achieved:

• By providing advice to the Board that promotes parent/guardian involvement
• By communicating topics that matter to parents
• By developing strategies and initiatives the Board can use to engage more parents to support children’s learning at home and at school
• Through planning and hosting events, speaker series and presentations on topics of interest to parents/guardians
• By sharing information with and supporting the work of school councils
   

Who is GEPIC?

GEPIC includes parent/guardian representation from each of Grand Erie’s four geographic regions, as well as two Trustees, Superintendents of Education, the Director of Education, two school administrators representing elementary and secondary, and community representatives.
 

Who is Eligible toJoin GEPIC?

• Any parent/guardian who is interested, and able to commit
• Parent positions will be chosen by lot to fulfill regional representation, and all meetings are open to the public
• Chair and co-chair positions are elected by the members of GEPIC
   

What is the Time Commitment?

GEPIC meets four times a year. Meetings are generally held from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Elections for the chair/co-chair positions are at the first meeting of each school year.
 

Want to Get Involved?

Interested parents/guardians are asked to contact GEPICChair@granderie.ca or call 519-756-6301 ext. 281155.