Dear Parents,
As we move through another busy season in education, I have been reflecting on what helps children thrive, especially when motivation can be difficult to sustain. Keeping kids engaged, encouraged, and confident is not always easy, whether at school or at home. It takes consistency, support, and a shared commitment from families, schools, and communities. That is why the theme of this newsletter feels especially important.
We know that student motivation does not happen in isolation. Children are more likely to stay inspired when they feel supported, when their needs are recognized, and when the adults around them are working together with purpose. This is one of the reasons we are currently working on EPCA’s new strategic plan. This plan will help guide our priorities for the coming years and ensure that our work continues to reflect the real concerns of English-speaking parents across Quebec.
In recent weeks, I have also joined partners from across the education network in calling for greater predictability and adequate investment in education. As Quebec prepares to table its next budget, families need reassurance that students will not once again bear the consequences of uncertainty and underfunding. Schools need the resources required to fulfill their mission and to support the academic, social, and emotional development of every child.
We also continue to see concerns that parents know all too well: interruptions in services, gaps in support for students with special needs, and situations where parents are not meaningfully included in decisions affecting their children. These are not small issues. They directly influence a child’s sense of stability, belonging, and motivation to succeed. If we want children to remain engaged in learning, we must make sure the systems around them are responsive, respectful, and properly supported.
This is also a time to reflect on the role we play as parents in modeling respect, empathy, and openness. With the Week of the Prevention of Violence and Bullying in Schools taking place from March 23 to 29, I encourage all families to take a look at the tools and resources that will be shared. Creating positive school environments is a shared responsibility, and our children learn a great deal from the example we set.
I also want to sincerely thank the nearly 12,000 parents who participated in the third national survey on the well-being of Quebec families. For the third year in a row, parents have shown just how important it is to share their experiences and realities. This survey, conducted with our partners under the supervision of Dr. Mélissa Généreux, gives us valuable insight into the well-being of families across the province.
The survey results will be unveiled soon, and they will help paint a clearer picture of the challenges and needs families are facing today. Just as importantly, they will help guide how we advocate, how we plan, and how we better serve parents in meaningful ways. We look forward to sharing these findings and continuing the conversation about how to support families more effectively.
Thank you for all that you do for your children and for the broader school community. Your voice, your presence, and your commitment matter deeply.
Warm regards,
Katherine Korakakis
President, EPCA
