The Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB) provides many supports, communications, resources and services for parents and guardians of students. We believe strongly that authentic partnerships between the home and school are critical to student success. Engaged parents and guardians that are tuned in with their student's school activities and learning help foster excellence and success later in life.
Why do parents and guardians matter to a student's learning?
Discover why parents and guardians and their support are extremely important to a student's learning at home and at school, how parents can get involved in their student's school, the benefits from strong engagement, resources and tips.
Parent and guardian supports
Discover our many supports and resources for parents and guardians, such as:
- Concussion resources
- Home study and virtual learning
- Kindergarten to Grade 8 parent guides
- Sleep hygiene
COVID-19 support
View our most recent updates surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
School councils
Learn about our various school councils, which have been created to enhance students' learning through the cooperative efforts of parents, students, staff and other community members.
Greater Essex County (GEC) Parent Involvement Committee
The Greater Essex County (GEC) Parent Involvement Committee seeks opportunities to improve communication between the GECDSB and parents and guardians, and to break down barriers to parent/guardian engagement, ensuring everyone in the school community has a voice. The committee helps improve the relationship between families and schools to support students' education and well-being.
Letter from the Superintendent of Education, School Effectiveness and Parent Engagement
At the GECDSB, we believe strongly that authentic partnerships between home and school are an essential element for student success. Engaging parents, guardians and families in the daily work of supporting learning consistently yields powerful results.
A critical element of our focus on 21st Century teaching and learning is a reimagining of the home-school partnership. Our goal is to continue to move toward a vision of parents, guardians and families as authentic partners in their children's schooling, as "co-producers of the learning path," as Dr. Kenneth Leinwood describes it. Although attending and supporting functions at school is still important, we are excited as we continue to uncover ways to engage families in supporting the daily learning of their students at home. It is in this new partnership in the learning, that we see as having such potential for success.
"Parents are vital partners in education. They influence their children's attitudes about learning, and support learning at home. They are a vital link between home and school. And when they become involved in the life of the school, they make our schools better places to learn, grow and thrive." (Ministry of Education, Parents in Partnership)
"Study after study has shown that student learning and achievement improve when parents play an active role in their children's education and that good schools become even better when parents are involved." (Parent Engagement Policy for Ontario Schools)
"When parents are engaged and involved, everyone benefits, and our schools become increasingly rich and positive places to learn and grow." (Ontario Institute for Education Leadership No. 20)
"The acknowledgement of the importance of partnership and the positive influence of parents on their children's learning and their future success - lies at the heart of the Ontario approach to parent engagement." (Ministry of Education, Capacity Building Series No. 29)
Dr. Jeff Hillman
Superintendent of Education,
School Effectiveness and Parent Engagement
Phone: 519-255-3200 ext. 10316