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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09 2015-2017 PRO Grants UpdateMinistère de l’Éducation Division du leadership et du milieu d’apprentissage Direction de l'éducation inclusive 900, rue Bay Édifice Mowat, 13e étage Queen’s Park Toronto ON M7A 1L2 Télécopieur (416) 325-7019 ______________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 Ministry of Education Leadership and Learning Environment Division Inclusive Education Branch 900 Bay Street thMowat Block, 13 floor Queen’s Park Toronto ON M7A 1L2 Facsimile (416) 325-7019 September 2, 2016 Subject: Approval of 2016-17 Parents Reaching Out (PRO) Grants Dear Jennifer Adams, I am pleased to inform you that Ottawa-Carleton District School Board has been awarded $76,735 for the 2016-17 Parents Reaching Out (PRO) Grants. This funding is to support 64 School Council and 1 Regional/Provincial projects. As you know, PRO Grants allow parents to identify local strategies to involve more parents in support of their children’s learning and well-being. We thank you and your team for encouraging the Parent Involvement Committee and school councils to participate in the PRO Grants program. The response this year was overwhelmingly positive, with 2,295 school council applications and 162 regional/provincial applications received, the highest number of applications received since 2007-08. We appreciate your effort and commitment to enhancing parent engagement. Please see details of PRO Grants funding that will be transferred to your school board below. PRO Grants for School Councils The total amount of PRO Grants for School Councils for which your school board has been approved is $61,735. School boards, in turn, are asked to allocate these funds to individual school accounts. Please find attached the list of schools in your school board with their respective allocations that have been approved for the 2016-17 school year. As per the attached 2016-17 Project Guidelines and Terms & Conditions, recipients are required to provide a report back confirming expenditure of grant funds as well as the outcomes achieved to enhance parent engagement. Projects must be completed and the funds expended by June 30, 2017. Please note that any funds not spent by this date cannot be retained by the school board and must be returned to the ministry, along with the 2016-17 District School Board Reporting Template (see attached). Page 2 of 3 School councils are required to submit a report back for the completed project by July 15, 2017. The report back is to be completed online at http://education.factorial.ca. School councils are encouraged to submit their report back as soon as their project is complete. When the report back has been completed, a copy will be sent by the system to the principal. School councils must also submit a copy of the report back along with all relevant receipts to the school board. PRO Grants for Regional/Provincial Projects The total amount of PRO Grants for Regional/Provincial Projects for which your school board has been approved is $15,000. The Transfer Payment Agreement for the project below will follow shortly. The following PRO Grant for Regional/Provincial Projects has been approved for your school board: •Supporting, Encouraging, and Connecting Parents - $15,000 (Parent Involvement Committee) As per the attached 2016-17 Project Guidelines and Terms & Conditions, recipients are required to provide report backs confirming expenditure of grant funds as well as the outcomes achieved to enhance parent engagement. Projects must be completed and the funds expended by August 15, 2017. Interim and final reports must be completed online at https://education.factorial.ca. Interim reports must be submitted by February 28, 2017, and final reports must be submitted by August 31, 2017. Recipients are encouraged to submit their report back as soon as their project is complete. Please file receipts according to school board policy. As government funded initiatives are subject to audit, these records must be retained for seven (7) years. As you are aware, all funds should be spent in accordance with government transfer payment directives. Any changes that impact on the nature and/or objectives of the PRO Grant must be reported to and approved by the ministry. We look forward to working with you this school year to support parent engagement within your school board. If you have any questions, please contact Raj Cheema, Policy/Program Analyst, Parent and Community Engagement Office at 416-212-0512 or by email at PRO@ontario.ca. Thank you, Ruth Flynn Director Inclusive Education Branch Page 3 of 3 Attachments: List of Approved 2016-17 PRO Grants for School Councils 2016-17 Project Guidelines and Terms & Conditions for School Council Projects 2016-17 Project Guidelines and Terms & Conditions for Regional/Provincial Projects 2016-17 District School Board Reporting Template 1 of 4 2016-17 Parents Reaching Out (PRO) Grants for School Councils Ottawa-Carleton DSB # MIDENT School Name Project Title Amount 1 4626 Agincourt Road PS Bullying Awareness $1,000 2 13986 Alta Vista PS Supporting Mental Health $1,000 3 119207 Avalon PS Social Networking Safety $1,000 4 36862 Bayview PS Family Math & Science Night $1,000 5 61077 Briargreen PS Healthy Students – Healthy Families $985 6 34452 Bridlewood Community E S Family Science Night $1,000 7 896705 Brookfield HS Understanding Well-Being $1,000 8 906514 Cairine Wilson SS Financial Awareness Strategies for Parents $1,000 9 76511 Cambridge Street Community PS Parent Resource Project $1,000 10 84832 Carleton Heights PS Learning To Communicate $1,000 11 86487 Castlefrank E S Family Literacy Night $1,000 12 86452 Castor Valley E S Castor Connections - Making Connections for Parents and School $1,000 13 90182 Centennial PS Parent Information Nights $1,000 14 107778 Churchill Alternative S Supporting Math Learning $1,000 15 671053 Clifford Bowey PS Enhancing Learning Opportunities $1,000 16 902586 Colonel By SS Empowering Parents $1,000 17 121886 Connaught PS Parent Engagement in 'Good Food Machine' $1,000 Ottawa Regional Office 2016-17 Parents Reaching Out (PRO) Grants for School Councils Ottawa-Carleton DSB # MIDENT School Name Project Title Amount 2 of 4 Ottawa Regional Office 18 131156 D. Aubrey Moodie Intermed S Science Night $970 19 139432 Devonshire Community PS Navigating Balanced Math $1,000 20 170763 Elgin Street PS Parent Engagement Project $1,000 21 171247 Elizabeth Park PS Parent Engagement Project $1,000 22 177008 Elmdale PS Technology and Online Social Networking $1,000 23 196266 Fielding Drive PS Social Network Safety $1,000 24 88560 Forest Valley E S Mathematics Event $1,000 25 211583 General Vanier PS Practical Tools for Supporting Math Learning $1,000 26 224197 Glen Cairn PS Parent Engagement Speaker Series $1,000 27 913472 Gloucester HS Gloucester Community Outreach $1,000 28 223930 Goulbourn Middle S Grade 7 and 8 Math Night $288 29 424919 Greely E S Mental Health Awareness $1,000 30 229555 Greenbank Md S Parent Engagement Project $1,000 31 154 Half Moon Bay Elementary School Knowledge Makes Cents Workshop $1,000 32 419222 Henry Larsen E S Safe, Inclusive and Accepting Schools $1,000 33 916854 Hillcrest HS Concussions: Information Presentation $1,000 34 279960 J.H. Putman PS Getting Parents Involved $1,000 35 286168 Jockvale E S Family Math Night $1,000 2016-17 Parents Reaching Out (PRO) Grants for School Councils Ottawa-Carleton DSB # MIDENT School Name Project Title Amount 3 of 4 Ottawa Regional Office 36 287156 Katimavik E S Healthy Active Living $1,000 37 37699 Le Phare E S Learning Strategies and Literacy with Parents $1,000 38 311758 Leslie Park PS Art and Science! $815 39 332356 Manor Park PS Math Night $1,000 40 332488 Manordale PS Connecting Arts To The Curriculum $1,000 41 129690 Maple Ridge E S Family Math Evening $1,000 42 356409 Meadowlands PS Diversity Project $1,000 43 925691 Merivale HS Community Engagement $1,000 44 928291 Nepean HS The Nepean High School Parent Brochure $1,000 45 579722 New Kanata North Elementary School Building Connections $1,000 46 407232 North Gower/Marlborough PS Family Science Night $1,000 47 419389 Orleans Wood E S Parent Engagement in Digital Literacy: Keeping Kids Safe $1,000 48 448834 Pleasant Park PS Family Science Night $500 49 463523 Queen Elizabeth PS Parent Engagement Through Numeracy $1,000 50 483150 Richmond PS Supporting Differentiated Learning At Home: A Speaker Series $1,000 51 938432 Rideau HS Parent Reaching Out $1,000 2016-17 Parents Reaching Out (PRO) Grants for School Councils Ottawa-Carleton DSB # MIDENT School Name Project Title Amount 4 of 4 Ottawa Regional Office 52 489360 Roland Michener PS Learning to Experience an Active Lifestyle $1,000 53 506168 Severn Avenue PS Web Safety $977 54 516694 Sir Winston Churchill PS Parent Workshops To Enhance Student Success $1,000 55 942855 South Carleton HS Concussions: Returning to Play and Learn $1,000 56 204901 South March PS Active Families $1,000 57 565750 Steve MacLean PS Parents + Students = Understanding Core Math $1,000 58 595012 Stonecrest E S Parent Resource Library, Phase 3 $1,000 59 554910 Terry Fox E S Coffee Talk for Student Well-Being $700 60 579351 W.E. Gowling PS Math and Science Workshops $1,000 61 624500 Westwind Public School Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds $1,000 62 619523 Woodroffe Avenue PS Learning Styles and Technology Supports $1,000 63 954420 Woodroffe HS Community Engagement $500 64 624330 York Street PS The Fun Side of Math $1,000 Ottawa-Carleton DSB 64 $61,735 Parents Reaching Out Grants Project Guidelines 2016-2017 Parents Reaching Out (PRO) Grants for School Councils A school council can submit only one proposal for the 2016-2017 PRO Grant cycle. The maximum amount provided for a school council proposal will be $1,000. All proposals must be approved through a motion of the school council. Special consideration will be given to eligible projects from school councils that: 1. did not receive funding for 2015-16, 2. promote increased access to and awareness of math strategies and resources for parents to support their children's learning at home and at school, or 3. support engagement of parents in fostering safe, inclusive and accepting schools. Projects must comply with the regulations, by-laws, policies and guidelines of their district school board and school council. The school principal can provide information in this area. School councils may develop proposals: a) individually, b) with another school council(s) in the same district school board (e.g. Family of Schools) or co-terminus district school board, or c) with other groups in the school or in the community. When working in partnership with other school councils, each school council is eligible for the maximum amount of $1,000. Each school council is responsible for submitting its own application, including the project budget. If approved, the school council is also responsible for the successful completion of the project and the submission of a final report to the Ministry and its district school board. Project Focus Projects must focus on informing or engaging parents in support of improved student achievement and well-being. The grants are intended to support projects that help identify and remove barriers to parent engagement that may prevent some parents from fully participating in their children's learning. Projects may fall under the following categories: a) Communication – may include translation of documents into multiple/other languages, providing parents with information related to curriculum or other school-based initiatives. b) Geography – reaching parents living in a larger or remote geographic area. c) Parents New to the System – parents who have a child in school for the first time, have recently moved into the area, or have recently arrived as newcomers to Ontario. d) Overcoming Local Barriers – identifying local barriers to parent engagement and finding local solutions to support more parents get involved (e.g., socio-economic, childcare, transportation, and language, etc.). e) Other types of barriers. What project costs or activities are NOT eligible? • Activities that have already taken place • Payment to staff including salaries, honoraria, gifts • Cost of police background check for parent volunteers • Purchase of goods and services for which the Ministry provides funding, such as textbooks, library books, manipulatives, school furniture, computers, cameras, projectors, student transportation, etc. • Student focused activities including fees for speakers or activities for students and purchase of supplies for home use – (e.g., markers, paper, glue, scissors, software, prizes, student agendas, calendars, arts and crafts supplies, scrapbooks) • Capital items such as televisions, sports equipment, shelving • Portable/handheld devices such as tablets or laptops, unless devices are to be used as part of a parent lending library and the cost does not exceed 50% of the approved grant • Computer software, online subscriptions, voice messaging systems, website maintenance, or software applications • Entertainment activities such as barbecues, fun fairs, volunteer teas, dinners, movies nights, dances, concerts, and performances • Art mural projects, field trips • School signs, announcement boards/screens • Landscaping, creation or equipping of outdoor classrooms • Refreshments exceeding 15% of the approved funding • Advertising and promotion exceeding 5% of the approved funding • Prizes or incentives to parents and/or students • Lessons for parents – (e.g., French, English as a Second Language, computer, CPR) • Fundraising events Applying for a Grant The application is to be completed and submitted online. Information can be saved to allow work on the application at different times. Upon submission, a copy of the completed application for the school council will be sent by the system to the school council chair and the school principal. Please ensure that your submission is consistent with all of your district school board's strategies and policies. The submission of an application is a legal declaration that both the school council chair and the school principal have authorized the submission of the application. Please keep your registration email address active for at least one year for future notifications. If your proposal is approved, your school council is responsible for carrying out the project as outlined in your application. Final Decision The grants will be awarded through a provincial review process. There is no appeal process. Applicants will be notified by email about the results of their application. Funding and Final Reporting Project funds must be spent by June 30, 2017. Any funds not spent by June 30, 2017 must be returned to the district school board. The report back form is to be completed online by accessing http://education.factorial.ca on or before July 15, 2017. School councils are encouraged to submit their report back form as soon as their project is complete. When the report back form has been completed, a copy will be sent by the system to the school principal. School councils must submit a copy of the report back along with all relevant receipts to their district school board. For more information, please contact your local regional office of the Ministry of Education. 2016-2017 Parents Reaching Out (PRO) Grants for School Councils Terms and Conditions 1.Funding is only available to school councils of publicly funded schools and must only be used for the approved project in accordance with the approved budget. Changes that impact on the nature and/or objectives of the project must be reported to the Ministry and the school board. Funding may not be used for ineligible expenses as defined in the Project Guidelines. 2.If the grant does not cover the entire cost of the project, the organization is responsible for funding the balance from other sources. The Ministry will not be responsible for any cost overruns for the project. 3.The implementation and completion of the project is the responsibility of the school council receiving the grant. 4.The school council will acknowledge the Ministry's contribution on press releases, printed materials, conference/workshop and other materials. 5.The school council shall provide, upon request by an official of the Ministry, school board or Provincial auditor, all documents and information related to the school council's participation in this program, and access to the premises where the program is being carried out, in accordance with school board policy. 6.Funding will be granted only once during a school year. School councils may apply in subsequent years for new projects subject to the availability of funds. 7.The project must be completed and the funds expended by June 30, 2017. School Councils are encouraged to submit their report back as soon as their project is complete. The last day for school councils to submit their on-line reports to the ministry is July 15, 2017. A copy of this report must also be sent to its School Board together with original invoices and expenditure records. As government- funded projects are subject to audit, these records must be retained for seven (7) years by the school board, in accordance with school board policy. 8.If actual project costs are less than anticipated or, for any other reason, the full amount of the Ministry funding is not used for approved eligible expenditures, any unused balance of funding will be a debt due and owing to the Ministry, and the applicant shall pay or return the amount to the Ministry immediately, unless the Ministry directs otherwise. 9.Upon default of any of these Terms and Conditions by the school council, the Ministry, at its sole discretion, may recover or redirect the funds advanced. 10.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. 11.The school council and its partners shall comply with all applicable federal, provincial, municipal laws, statutes, regulations, rules, ordinances and orders in respect of the performance of these Terms and Conditions. 12.By submitting the 2016-2017 school council application, the organization agrees to abide by the 2016-2017 Project Guidelines and 2016-2017 Terms and Conditions. Parents Reaching Out Grants Project Guidelines 2016-2017 Parents Reaching Out (PRO) Grants for Regional/Provincial Projects Who can apply for funding? Priority will be given to parent-led projects that have been developed in partnership with district school boards. The following organizations can apply for funding as long as they partner with parents: • Non-profit organizations operating in Ontario • Parent groups operating in Ontario • Publicly-funded district school boards operating in Ontario • Post-secondary institutions in Ontario What types of projects are eligible for funding? Non-district school board organizations should provide a letter of support from a district school board (from a senior level staff member [e.g. director of education, supervisory officer]) to be considered for funding. Proposals must describe how the project will enhance parent engagement in support of improved student achievement and well-being. Eligible projects must fall under at least one of the following areas: 1. Parents as Partners These projects involve parents as partners in education. Examples are: • Professional learning and training for teachers, principals, school staff or parents on strategies for engaging parents and the community to support student achievement and well-being • Research projects where parents and stakeholders (e.g. teachers, high-school students, etc.) work together with academic researchers to explore parent engagement-related topics • Fostering school-community connections and partnerships to further inform and engage parents in issues impacting their children's learning and well-being (e.g., mental health agencies, public health units, etc.) 2. Creating a welcoming district school board and school environment for all parents. These projects are designed to make all parents feel welcome and included. Examples are: • Creating or translating materials in multiple languages to keep parents informed and engaged • Workshops for district school board and school staff on how to identify and remove barriers to parent engagement to help more parents get engaged in their children's learning and well-being • Tools to help school staff recruit and recognize parent volunteers 3. Skill-Building Opportunities for Parents These projects provide parents with the knowledge, skills and tools they need to support student learning at home and at school. Examples are: • Projects that provide information, activities, or resources to families about supporting their children's well-being and helping students learn and succeed at home and at school • Training workshops for school volunteer parents • Leadership development for parents 4. Enhancing Communication between School and Parents These projects develop outreach initiatives to support parent engagement in their children's learning at home and at school. Examples are: • Develop and/or expand communication and outreach strategies for parents such as local workshops, presentations, tools and resources • Sharing of information and strategies related to supporting parent engagement in their children's learning at home and at school (e.g., specific information on the value of reading/doing math with your child, student nutrition/healthy lifestyles, etc.) What project costs or activities are NOT eligible? • Activities that have already taken place • Payment to staff including teachers, coordinators, consultants, administrative staff • Cost of police background check • Purchase of goods and services for which the Ministry provides funding, such as textbooks, library books, manipulatives, school furniture, computers, cameras, projectors, student transportation, etc. • Student-focused activities, including fees for speakers or activities for student audiences and purchase of supplies for home use • Computer software, online subscriptions, voice messaging systems, website maintenance or software applications • Capital costs (e.g., equipment, signs) • Portable/handheld devices such as tablets or laptops • Refreshments exceeding 15% of the approved funding • Advertising and promotion costs exceeding 5% of the approved funding • Speaker fees or honoraria exceeding 40% of the approved funding (including speakers' travel costs) • Operational costs (e.g., leasing of offices, long-term administrative costs, maintenance of website, financial commitments that last longer than the term of the project, utilities including internet and telephone) • Purchase of items that would be given to parents (e.g., books and resources) which are not directly related to the workshop, seminar or home application to support their child's learning • Honoraria for parents • Out of province travel • Debts or financial losses that result from a project What is the maximum grant available? The maximum grant is $30,000. There is no minimum grant. When does the project end? The deadline for completing a project is August 15, 2017. Applicants are encouraged to submit their report back online as soon as their project is complete. The deadline to submit these final reports is August 31, 2017. How will grants be awarded? Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria and the availability of funds: • Applicants show how their project fits into at least one of the four categories (1. Parents as Partners; 2. Creating a Welcoming School Board and School Environment for all Parents; 3. Skill-Building Opportunities for Parents; 4. Enhancing Communication between School and Parents) • The level of involvement of parents in the development and implementation of the project (parents lead, consult in developing/implementing, and/or participate in the project) • The project is led by parents or is carried out in partnership with a parent group • The project will enhance parent and community engagement in support of improved student achievement and well-being • The project will promote parent leadership and build capacity to engage in their child’s learning • The project will promote collaboration between parents, schools and community organizations • The project will foster improved communication between parents and teachers/schools • The project will meet a demonstrated need to support parent engagement • The application includes a detailed description of what will be done, and how and when the project's goals and objectives will be met • A plan is in place for evaluating the project and its results/success indicators • The project has the potential to reach a large number of parents • The project can be adapted to other regions • The organization has a proven success in implementing and completing projects aimed at engaging parents to support their children's learning • The organization has a transparent and open governance structure • Special consideration will be given to eligible projects that: 1. have not been previously funded under the PRO Grants program, 2. promote increased access and awareness of math strategies and resources for parents to support their children's learning at home and at school, or 3. support engagement of parents in fostering safe, inclusive and accepting schools. Grant approval is subject to the number of eligible applications received by the Ministry and available funding. Only eligible items will be considered for funding. All reporting requirements for previously funded PRO Grant projects must be met prior to funding of 2016-17 projects. Funding provided must only be used for the approved project in accordance with the approved budget. Changes that impact on the nature and/or objectives of the project must be reported to and approved by the Ministry. Funding may not be used for ineligible expenses as defined in the Project Guidelines. Please read the Terms and Conditions prior to completing an application Upon default of any of the Terms and Conditions by the recipient, the Ministry, at its sole discretion, may recover or redirect the funds advanced. How to Apply for a Grant The grant application is to be completed and submitted online. Information can be saved to allow work on the application at different times. Please keep your registration email address active for at least one year for future notifications. What happens when the proposal is approved? Step 1: Sign the contract You will be asked to sign a transfer payment agreement before receiving the funding. In addition to complying with the requirements of the transfer payment agreement, recipients must comply with the terms and conditions of the PRO regional/provincial grant. Step 2: Complete the Interim Report online The deadline for submitting Interim Reports is February 28, 2017. Step 3: Submit the final report online A final report summarizing all activities and a detailed account of all project costs incurred must be submitted online. Applicants are encouraged to submit their final report online as soon as their project is complete. The deadline to submit these reports is August 31, 2017. For more information, please contact your local regional office of the Ministry of Education. 2016-2017 Parents Reaching Out Grants for Regional/Provincial Projects Terms and Conditions 1.Funding provided must only be used for the approved project in accordance with the approved budget. Changes that impact on the nature and/or objectives of the project must be reported to and approved by the Ministry. Funding may not be used for ineligible expenses as defined in the Project Guidelines. 2. If the grant does not cover the entire cost of the project, the organization is responsible for raising the balance of funding from other sources. The Ministry will not be responsible for any cost overruns for the project. 3.The implementation of the project is the responsibility of the grant recipient. 4.The recipient will acknowledge the Ministry's contribution on press releases, printed materials, conference/workshop and other materials. 5.The recipient shall provide, upon request by an official of the Ministry or Provincial Auditor, all documents and information related to the organization's participation in this program, and access to the premises where the program is being carried out. 6.Funding will be granted on a one-time basis only, to be used within the 2016-2017 grant cycle. 7.The recipient is to complete and submit a final project report back to the Ministry, together with expenditure records. As government-funded projects are subject to audit, these records must be retained for the period of seven (7) years by the recipient. 8.If actual project costs are less than anticipated or, for any other reason, the full amount of the Ministry funding is not used for approved eligible expenditures, any unused balance of funding will be a debt owing to the Ministry. The Ministry reserves the right to redirect the funds. 9.Upon default of any of these Terms and Conditions by the recipient, the Ministry, at its sole discretion, may recover or redirect the funds advanced. 10.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. 11.The recipient and its partners shall comply with all applicable federal, provincial, municipal laws, statutes, regulations, rules, ordinances and orders in respect of the performance of these Terms and Conditions. 12.The Recipient hereby agrees to put in effect and maintain for the duration of the contract, at its own cost and expense, with Insurers acceptable to the Ministry, all the necessary and appropriate insurance for a prudent operator of this type, and including at least the following: comprehensive general liability insurance to an inclusive limit of not less than $2,000,000.00 per occurrence on property damage, bodily injury and personal injury and including the following policy endorsements: Her Majesty the Queen in right of Ontario as additional insured; cross-liability; and 30 day written notice of cancellation. 13. The Recipient will provide the Ministry prior to commencement of this contract, with valid Certificates of Insurance (and a renewal or replacement as may be necessary), referencing this contract, confirming the above requirements and states any pertinent exclusions as applicable, contained by the policy(ies). 14. The recipient is to either be incorporated or partner with a non-profit organization that is incorporated. 15.If partnering with a school board, the recipient will provide documentation confirming the school board partner's awareness of and support for the proposed project. For more information, please contact your local regional office of the Ministry of Education.