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.

Sandra Eix co-lead a science club with Leslie Parchomchuk (see her portrait) every Friday at École Anne-Hébert

I have a child, Elise (9 years old), who attends l’école Anne-Hébert.

My involvement in the school community is defined by:

With Leslie Parchomchuk, I run a science club for students from Grades 2 to 6.  The club meets every Friday at noon.  We do small experiments and demonstrations for all who want to participate.

What I love the most about our Francophone school:

This is a true community, not just a school.  Parents get greatly involved with all that’s happening at the school, and teachers and the school administration are open to new ideas.  I love that we can get to know almost everyone – the school’s not too big!

Why we started our project: 

We wanted to support a “culture of science” at the school.  It’s sometimes difficult for teachers to do experiments in their classes (sometimes it makes a mess!). It's easier for us to do them during recess, in the gym.  We want to show that science is interesting and fun. I made a connection with Science World (where I work), which supports this project by providing materials.

What this brings me: 

I like to share my enthusiasm for science with the children and teachers.  I want to show my daughter and her friends what I do for work. Since I go to the school every week, I now know most of the school’s staff members. So, for me, it’s also a way to improve my French! But the most impressive rewards are the big smiles and screams of excitement from the children when they see us in the hallways.

I must mention that there’s a mother from Victoria who visited us last fall; she was so inspired that she founded a science club at her school!