Newsletter Vol. 47

Dear Parents,

February can feel like the long stretch of winter, short days, heavy routines, and a bit of “winter blues” for parents and students alike. If that’s your household right now, you’re not alone. This is the moment to lean into what helps: steady sleep routines, small outdoor breaks (even 10 minutes), and gentle check-ins that keep stress from piling up.

It’s also the time of year when school expectations ramp up. A quick reminder for families: Term 3 is worth 60% of the final mark. That can sound intimidating, but it’s also good news. There’s significant time and weighting left to improve, stabilize, and finish strong. If your child is struggling, don’t wait to reach out to the school - ask what supports are available, and request clear next steps.

On the advocacy side, many of you are following Bill 1 and what it could mean for rights, governance, and the day-to-day realities of English-language education in Quebec. This week, EPCA will be presenting at the National Assembly of Quebec on February 4 at 4:00 p.m. We’ll share highlights afterward, so parents understand what was raised and what comes next.

We’re also preparing for the launch of a revamped EPCA website. It will make it easier to find parent resources, training dates, governance guides, and key updates in one place. Consider this your teaser; we’ll share the link soon, and we can’t wait for you to use it.

How are you doing? And how are your children? Are there issues affecting your family’s well-being? That’s exactly what we want to better understand through the Quebec Families’ Well-Being Survey. For the third year in a row, EPCA and The FCPQ are inviting parents to take ten minutes to complete this survey, under the supervision of Dr. Mélissa Généreux, a public health physician and professor in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at the Université de Sherbrooke. The survey can be found here.

Why does your participation matter? Our society is changing quickly, and we need a real, up-to-date picture of what families with school-aged children are living—so we can represent parents’ realities more effectively and support families in practical ways. The first two editions of the survey directly led to a pilot project to help families navigate screen use at home. When we have a clear portrait of what families are facing, it becomes possible to implement concrete actions that truly help parents in their day-to-day lives.

Can we once again surpass 10,000 participants this year? Please share the survey in your community so that as many parents as possible have the opportunity to take part.

Finally, Hooked on School Days will be held from February 16 to 20, 2026. I encourage all parents to get involved in local activities. Let’s remember the power we have to help our children to keep going.

Through all of this, policy debates, report cards, and motivation dips, one truth doesn’t change: parents are an essential part of the success equation. Thank you for showing up, even when it’s hard.

Warmly,

Katherine Korakakis
President, English Parents’ Committee Association