EMSB Parents Committee

09/30/2026

09/22/2026

Dear Parents,

As we begin a new school year, we are also approaching an important moment for education in Quebec: the upcoming provincial election.

In our recent special election edition (link to edition), EPCA shared the responses we received from political parties on issues affecting English public education. I encourage parents to read those responses, ask questions, and stay engaged as election day approaches. Decisions made at the provincial level have a very real impact on our schools, our communities, and, most importantly, our children.

But parent engagement cannot begin and end at election time.

One of the challenges I continue to see is that the important role parents play in education is not sufficiently recognized or understood. I would like to see that change and more clearly recognize the place and role of parents in our education system.

Parents bring an essential perspective. We know our children. We see what is working, what is not, and where families and schools need more support. When parents get involved, whether at the school level, on governing boards, through parent committees, or simply by asking questions and speaking up, they can make a difference.

One of my goals as President of EPCA this year is to help parents understand just how important that difference can be. I want parents across Quebec’s English public school system to feel heard and represented, and, perhaps most importantly, to truly realize the impact they can have.

That starts with participation.

As the school year gets underway, I encourage parents to get involved. Attend a meeting. Ask questions. Learn about your governing board and parent committee. Share your experiences and concerns. You do not need to be an expert in education policy to have something valuable to contribute. Your experience as a parent matters.

There will undoubtedly be challenges ahead this year, particularly as education becomes part of the conversation during the provincial election. But there is also an opportunity to make sure the parent’s voice is part of that conversation and remains part of it long after the election is over.

My goal for the year ahead is simple: more parents engaged, more parents heard, and more parents understanding the power of their collective voice.

I look forward to working alongside you to make that happen.

Katherine Korakakis
President, English Parents’ Committee Association

Website:
https://epcaquebec.org/newsletter-vol-52/

PDF:
https://epcaquebec.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/EPCA-NEWSLETTER-VOL.-52.pdf

09/22/2026

🗳️ QUÉBEC ELECTION 2026

The Québec provincial election is coming up on October 5, 2026.

Whether you're a first-time voter, haven't voted in a while, or simply want to make sure you're prepared, Élections Québec has everything you need to know about:

📍 Where to vote
📅 When to vote
🪪 What identification you need
🗳️ Advance voting options
👨‍👩‍👧 Other ways to vote if you can't make it on Election Day

And because Québec is using a new electoral map this year, it's worth checking your electoral information before you head to the polls.

👉 Start with the official Élections Québec voting information: https://www.electionsquebec.qc.ca/en/vote/

09/15/2026

Dear Parents,

As Quebec heads toward election day, EPCA is pleased to share this special vote issue of our newsletter to help parents and families better understand where political parties stand on issues that matter to English public education.

EPCA put a series of questions to Quebec’s political parties on behalf of parents across the province. In this issue, you will find the responses we received from two parties, Québec solidaire and the Parti libéral du Québec, presented so that families can review the information directly and consider it as they prepare to vote.

The Conservative Party of Quebec advised EPCA that it would not be able to complete our questionnaire. However, the party confirmed that it intends to put forward commitments related to education during the election campaign. The Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) and the Parti Québécois did not respond to EPCA’s request for answers.

We believe it is important for parents to know not only what parties have said, but also which parties chose to participate in this opportunity to address the questions and concerns of families within Quebec’s English public education system.

Our goal is not to tell anyone how to vote, but to make it easier for parents to be informed, ask questions, compare positions, and reflect on the future of our schools.

Thank you for taking the time to read, consider the information provided, and make your voice heard.

Katherine Korakakis
President, English Parents’ Committee Association
Website: https://epcaquebec.org/special-newsletter-edition/
PDF:https://epcaquebec.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/EPCA-NEWSLETTER-Special-Vote-Edition-2026.pdf

08/21/2026

Dear Parents,

As summer begins to wind down and we prepare for another school year, I want to welcome families back and extend a special welcome to those joining our school communities for the first time. Although the first bell hasn’t rung yet, this is an important time for parents to get informed, get organized, and think about how they may want to become involved in the year ahead. This month’s newsletter is designed to help you do exactly that.

We’re starting with school AGAs, one of the first opportunities of the year for parents to learn more about their school and the different ways they can participate. If you’re new to parent involvement, we also explain what parent volunteering can look like and why you don’t need years of experience or endless amounts of free time to make a meaningful contribution.

At the same time, involvement needs to be sustainable. Many of us begin the school year with the best intentions and quickly find ourselves juggling work, family, school emails, meetings, and volunteer commitments. We’re sharing some practical advice on avoiding volunteer fatigue and finding the right level of involvement for you.

We’re also very excited to introduce EPCA’s new website. It was redesigned to make information and resources easier for parents to find, and we’ll walk you through how to navigate it and make the most of what’s available.

On the practical side, we have included a reminder about school tax registration for families outside Montreal, as well as important information about fees charged to parents. With back-to-school expenses adding up quickly, parents should understand what schools can charge for, what should be provided free of charge, and what questions they can ask when reviewing school fee lists.

A new school year always brings a lot of information at once. Our goal at EPCA is to help make that information clearer and to ensure parents across Quebec have the tools they need to understand the system, participate in it, and advocate for their children.

Enjoy these last days of summer. I wish all families a smooth and positive start to the 2026–2027 school year.

Katherine Korakakis
President, English Parents’ Committee Association

Website
https://epcaquebec.org/newsletter-vol-51/

PDF
https://epcaquebec.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/email-rhonda-as-sender-mailchimp-confimration.pdf

06/26/2026

📚 Report cards are out for many students across Quebec, and for families in Secondary I, II and III, it’s important to understand how final marks are calculated.

Term marks are weighted:
➡️ Term 1 = 20%
➡️ Term 2 = 20%
➡️ Term 3 = 60%

But if your child’s average doesn’t seem to “add up,” it may be because final exam marks are not always visible on the June report card. These are factored in later by the system when final marks are submitted.

For families receiving summer school recommendations, schools may communicate separately.

We encourage parents to review carefully, ask questions, and remember: report cards are one part of your child’s learning journey, not the whole picture.

06/26/2026

🎓 For parents of Secondary IV and V students across Quebec, June report cards can be especially confusing and stressful.

While term marks are weighted 20%-20%-60%, many core courses also include Ministry (MEQ) exams that can count for 20% of the final grade or even replace the school mark if the exam result is higher.
This means:
✔ The final mark on the school report card may not be the final official result
✔ Ministry moderation can raise or lower the final grade based on exam performance
✔ Official Ministry report cards will be available later through the Online Academic Record

EPCA reminds parents: before reacting, take the time to understand the process. These final weeks can be overwhelming for students, and your support matters more than ever.

06/23/2026

That’s a wrap on another school year! 🎓✨

From early mornings to late-night studying, big wins and tough moments our students made it through and should be proud of all they accomplished. 💪📚

To every student: congratulations on your hard work, resilience, and growth this year. Now it’s time to rest, recharge, and enjoy a well-deserved summer! ☀️

Happy last day of school!

( Illustration by Julie Corriveau Wilson )

06/19/2026

Dear Parents,

As I sit down to write this message for the 50th issue of the EPCA newsletter, I find myself reflecting on a journey that has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding.

Six years ago, I accepted the role of President of the English Parents’ Committee Association of Quebec with a commitment to ensuring that parents had a strong voice in education. What I could never have imagined was that just one month later, our world would change overnight.

The COVID-19 pandemic transformed every aspect of our lives. Schools closed; classes moved online; parents became teachers, support workers, and technology trouble-shooters, all while navigating unprecedented uncertainty. During this time, EPCA became a lifeline for families. We listened, advocated, shared information, and worked tirelessly to ensure that parents’ concerns were heard by decision-makers.

Since then, the pace has never slowed.

Over the past six years, I have had the privilege of speaking with hundreds of parents from every corner of Quebec. I have listened to stories of triumph and frustration, hope and concern. Parents have shared their experiences navigating special education services, language rights, mental health challenges, school governance, digital technology, bullying, transportation, staffing shortages, and so much more. These conversations have shaped our priorities and strengthened our resolve. They have reminded me time and again that parents are among the most important partners in a child’s education.

The educational landscape has also undergone significant change. Since 2020, families have witnessed major legislative reforms that have reshaped our system. From Bill 40, which fundamentally altered school governance, to Bill 96 and its impact on Quebec’s English-speaking community, to numerous other legislative and policy changes affecting education, EPCA has worked diligently to ensure that parents’ perspectives were represented. We have prepared briefs, appeared before parliamentary commissions, met with ministers and elected officials, and collaborated with partners to ensure that the voices of families remained part of the conversation.

None of this work happens in isolation.

I am incredibly proud of the relationships we have built with our partners across both the English and French education sectors. While our communities may face different realities at times, we share a common goal: creating the best possible educational environment for our children. By working together, we have been able to advance important conversations about student success, mental health, digital citizenship, parental engagement, and educational equity.

I am equally proud of the dedicated volunteers who serve on the EPCA Board of Directors. While much of their work happens behind the scenes, their contributions are invaluable. They review documents, attend meetings, participate in consultations, support advocacy efforts, organize events, and bring forward the concerns of parents from their communities. Their commitment, expertise, and countless volunteer hours make EPCA’s work possible. They are the quiet force behind many of the initiatives, resources, and successes that parents see throughout the year.

Looking back over fifty newsletters, I am struck by how much has changed and how much has remained constant. Through every challenge, every policy debate, every consultation, and every campaign, our mission has stayed the same: to inform, support, and advocate for parents.

I am proud of what we have accomplished together. I am proud that EPCA has become a trusted voice for families. I am proud of the partnerships we have forged, the issues we have elevated, and the countless parents who have reached out to us knowing they would be heard.

Most importantly, I am proud of the parent community itself. Your willingness to engage, to ask questions, to speak up, and to advocate for your children continues to inspire us every day.

As we celebrate this milestone 50th issue, I want to thank every parent, volunteer, partner, educator, and supporter who has been part of this journey. The work continues, but together we have shown what is possible when parents have a seat at the table and a voice that is heard.

Here’s to the next chapter!

Katherine Korakakis
President EPCA

View Website
https://epcaquebec.org/50-issues-later-a-reflection-on-advocacy-partnership-and-the-power-of-parents/

View PDF
https://epcaquebec.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/EPCA-NEWSLETTER-VOL.-50-Final.pdf

06/04/2026