The Government of Saskatchewan has partnered with the Saskatchewan School Boards Association to create a new voluntary Parent Teacher Home Visits pilot project, aiming to increase the parental engagement necessary for kids’ education, and build connections between school and home.

Up to 400 Saskatchewan families from five school divisions will have the opportunity to participate in the initial pilot project, including some families within the Sun West School Division. According to the release, families were offered the opportunity to participate in the voluntary project by direct communication with the school and school staff, through letters, social media and with some school community councils as well.

The five school divisions were selected due to their readiness level and by having division strategic plans supporting parent and community engagement strategies, and it was determined internally which schools would participate in the voluntary program.

“Parental involvement is crucial in the success of a child at school,” Education Minister Dustin Duncan said. “When parents know what is being taught to their children, they can become more involved and build that relationship between student, home and school.”

Participating parents and teachers will meet twice during the school year, starting in the fall 2021 with the second session in the spring 2022. The visits will take place in the family home or can be arranged on the doorstep, in the backyard, in a park or community facility, as well as virtually if necessary. Parent and teachers will build relationships to work together to help support students’ individual education needs.

“Building on Saskatchewan’s rich history with community education, school boards have prioritized building connections and relationships as a foundational part of learning,” SSBA President Shawn Davidson said.  “We heard it clearly through our local consultations, and the research strongly supports, that engaging parents and families can have a big impact on student success."

The Government of Saskatchewan has allocated $200,000 to the SSBA to deliver the Parent Teacher Home Visits pilot project from August 1, 2021, to August 31, 2022. These funds will support staff compensation, training costs, research and communications to schools and communities.

For more on the project, check out the full government release.