The delegates of parents’ associations from across British Columbia gathered together in a relaxed atmosphere for the opening evening of the 2018 Conference.

In addition to having the opportunity to network among themselves, these delegates were also able to meet several representatives of community partner organizations.

Upon arrival, the participants at the opening evening were welcomed by the Fédération des parents team, which had created a photo studio for the event, complete with a collection of accessories. Invited to take a fun “photo challenge,” sometimes with new acquaintances, many delegates rose to the occasion with good humour. The activity allowed us to snap some very neat photos (you can see some of them below this article)!

Words of welcome delivered by the President of the Fédération des parents, Suzana Straus, were followed by the presentation of two prestigious annual awards: the Parents’ Association of the Year Award, and the Award of Excellence in Early Childhood Education (see the articles on these topics).

Swearing in of the new School Board Trustees for CSF.

During the conference’s opening evening this year, the new school board trustees were sworn in, in collaboration with the Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique (CSF), following the school board elections of October 20.

As meetings of the Fédération des francophones de la Colombie-Britannique (FFCB) were also taking place in the same hotel, representatives of Francophone community associations from across the province were able to join the delegates from the parents’ associations to witness the ceremony.

Important milestones

Some parents' associations who manage francophone preschool centres and who are among the members of the Fédération des parents are celebrating important anniversaries this year. Certificates acknowledging these significant milestones were presented to the associations' representatives during the evening.

In addition, in accordance with tradition, certificates of recognition were displayed throughout the event, to highlight the commitment and achievements of parents who were named Volunteers of the Year by the parents’ association in their community.

In short, it was without a doubt a memorable evening!

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