Behind every successful school, there are parents who get involved!

 

To show Parenthèse readers how parents from across the province contribute to their school community, we’re publishing “portraits” of parents who commit themselves in various ways to the community.

Lucas Nyenty Tabot, vice-président the APÉ école Franco-nord, Prince George

I have two children (Tabotndang in Grade 2 and Ojong in kindergarten) who attend l’école Franco-nord and Les Dragonards after-school daycare centre in Prince George.

I became the vice-president of our school’s APÉ in September 2012. When I started, I felt that I wasn’t contributing much to the discussions, but since then, through contact with other parents, I’ve learned a lot about the role and mandate of the APÉ and about its various activities (coordinating hot meals, organizing community celebrations, etc.).

How and why I started to get involved: 

After leaving Montreal for Prince George in August 2012, my family still wanted to experience Francophone culture in every way. For this reason, our priority was for our children to continue their schooling in a Francophone school. L’école Franco-nord has been an ideal solution for their education. I’d never thought of getting involved with the school’s parents’ association, but since my first participation in an APÉ meeting I’ve continued to make every possible effort to get involved with the activities of the association.

A dream that I hold for my children: 

I want them to be proud to have and to know our special Francophone culture, and to be able to express themselves in French without inhibition.

What I love the most about our Francophone school:

The welcome. Since our arrival at the school it has felt comfortable, and it was the same thing with the APÉ. Even though I didn’t know much at the beginning, my presence at meetings and my participation in the various activities allowed me to feel like I was part of a family. Also, I can say without any exaggeration that l’école Franco-nord is my second family in Prince George. There’s a team spirit present, and the parents of the APÉ have a great desire to always encourage other parents.

An achievement I’m proud of: 

Opening a daycare within our school (full-time daycare for children 0-5 years old, as well as childcare after classes). I would like to thank all the parents and teachers who, in one way or another, participated in this achievement. Above all, a big thank-you to our President, Ms Val Reimer, for her initiative and good will. My wish is that we can all cooperate together for the continuity and proper functioning of the daycare.   

I would like to convey my best wishes to the entire Francophone community in Prince George!