Parents Reaching Out (PRO) Grants for School Councils

The Parents Reaching Out (PRO) Grants program provides funding to district school boards and school authorities to lead projects with a focus on the identification and removal of barriers that prevent parents and families from participating and engaging fully in their children's learning.

School projects will demonstrate a commitment to respecting the role of parents and families in students’ educational experiences by working with parents and families or seeking parent input on how schools can improve in at least one of the following areas:

• Addressing social inclusion and racism specifically anti-Asian, anti-Black, and anti-Indigenous racism and other prejudices toward racialized and marginalized groups 

• Creating a safe and welcoming environment 

• Demonstrating respect for parents as valued partners within the education system regarding decisions about their child’s education 

• Enhancing communication with teachers 

• Informing parents about the expectations of the Ontario Curriculum and supporting resources. 

Additional Guid​e​lines:

• Create an outreach plan to inform parents of the program and its outcomes.

• Funding must be spent within the 2021-22 school year.

• Projects must be completed within the 2021-22 school year.​

Outputs:

Projects identify and address local barriers to parent engagement are implemented through a variety of means which may include but are not limited to:

• Parent resources

• Parent engagement sessions 

• Parent information sessions

• Projects will reflect the diversity of our communities 

Project​ Results:

•  Parents have increased awareness of school activities and initiatives 

• Parents have improved experiences of a welcoming school where parents’ perspectives are encouraged, valued and heard 

•  Parents are more involved in their local school environment and child’s education 

• Parents experience fewer barriers to participation in their child’s learning

• Racialized parents are aware of and supported to take on leadership opportunities in their school and board community 

• Parents feel like valued partners in the education system 

•  Parents have increased confidence in public education 

• Parents understand how to address local needs and systemic barriers in the school community 

• Parents are connected with each other and with members of their community 

• Parents are provided with the knowledge, skills and tools they need to support their child’s learning at home and at school 

Terms and Conditions:

1. Funding must only be used for the approved project. Changes that impact the nature and/or objectives of the project(s) must be reported to iscs@yrdsb.ca. Funding may not be used for ineligible expenses as outlined below.

2. If the grant does not cover the entire cost of the project, the School Council is responsible for funding the balance from other sources.

3. The implementation and completion of the project is the responsibility of the School Council.

4. The School Council will acknowledge the Province's contribution on press releases, printed materials, conferences, workshops and other materials.

5. Subject to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Privacy Act, all information pertaining to this grant is public information and may be released to third parties upon request.

Ineligible Project Costs or Activities include but a​re not limited to the following:

• Activities that took place prior to September 1, 2021

• Payment to school board staff or volunteers, including salaries, honoraria, gifts

• Refreshments exceeding 10% of the approved funding

• Out-of-province travel

• Debts or financial losses that result from a project

• Fundraising events

E​ach school council is responsible for submitting their own application.  If working in partnership with another school, each school council is eligible for funding up to $800 and is responsible for costs not covered by the funding received.

Submissions:

The deadline for submission has been extended from Tuesday, December 14, 2021 to Wednesday, January 19, 2022.

Please connect with your school Principal for further information, including the link for the application form. 

If approved, the school council is responsible for:

1. successful completion of the project

2. submission of a final report (to be provided via google form) by June 24, 2022; invoices scanned and uploaded in final report.

Further details will be provided to schools in the approval notification of their project.