Resources and Supports for Parents
Your child is the most important person in your life; we understand that. Being a parent and becoming responsible for this whole other human life, well, it can be a little overwhelming at times.
Everything we do revolves around the wellbeing and education of our students. Western Québec is proud to provide quality English language education. We believe that our programs will make our students capable of succeeding in all corners of this country. We provide a supportive, open and safe learning environment, which helps them reach their full potential.
Parents Québec
An initiative of the English Parents Committee Association and the Fédération des comités de parents du Québec Parents.Quebec is intended for parents of school-aged children who want to provide support to their children’s educational success. Visit Parents.Quebec.
Drugs and Alcohol Awareness and Prevention
Our school board has two DART (Drug Awareness Resource Team) technicians who support schools year round. Your child might have referred to them as the drug ladies. They provide drug awareness, prevention and intervention in our elementary and secondary schools. They may support referrals and liaise with outside services to help link students and parents with the appropriate programs available.
Tips on having tough Conversations
The DART team has prepared a resource page to support and provide tips to parents and caregivers when talking to their children and teenagers about substance use: Tips on having tough conversations (Parents/Caregivers).
The Law
Information/Awareness and Tips
- Canada’s opioid crisis
- Connexions Resource Centre – Cannabis and our Youth
- Do you Speak Cannabis?
- Cannabis Talk Kit
- Drug Free Kids Canada
- Drugs over Dinner
Rehabilitation Centres
- Centres de réadaptation en dépendance de l’Outaouais (French only)
- Walgman Centre
- Portage Québec – Drug Addiction and Employment Reintegration Programs
Vaping
- Suchitra Krishnan-Sarin: What you should know about vaping and e-cigarettes | TED Talk
- Government of Canada – About Vaping
- The Link Ottawa – Vaping
Quitting
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Technology Support
We understand that all the latest technological advancements can feel a bit overwhelming to parents. Deep down, we all know our children already are, or will become infinitely better with new technologies than we ever will. In addition to supporting the use of these technologies in the classroom, we have prepared a set of resources (below) to help you better support (or catch up with) your child.
- Microsoft Office 365 and Chromebook – Online Tutorials and Support
- Helping Parents to Keep Children Safe Online – WQSB Presentation
- What is our school board doing to keep students and staff safe online
- What parents can do to ensure their childrens’ safety online
- Responsibilities and best practices when it comes to privacy
Sexuality Education
During school year 2018-2019, the Government of Québec has prepared a set of new sexuality education directives which have been implemented in our schools. Back then, we have sent letters out to parents in this regard:
Sexuality Education falls under our Complementary Services department, which made available additional information on the matter on the Complementary Educational Services page.
Other Matters
Whether it’s about school calendars, bus transportation, special needs or almost anything in between, we can help you find answers on our website using the dropdown menus below.
Ressources and Supports for Students
As students of Western Québec schools, you are our top priority. Everything we do revolves around your education and wellbeing.
Western Québec is proud to provide quality English language education. We believe that our programs will make you capable of succeeding in all corners of this country. We provide a supportive, open and safe learning environment, which helps you reach your full potential. We also offer academic and emotional support.
This page provides resources to help guide you towards the support you need.
General Resources
- School Websites – Believe it or not, you might find a lot more than you think onto your school’s website. From school policies to schedules or even homework information. Select your school under the School Websites dropdown menu in the upper left corner of this website (upper right on mobile devices, below the main menu).
- Virtual Library – The Western Québec Virtual Library is a compendium of online resources that support the Québec Education Program. It is full of bilingual, multi-media tools; including books, research databases and encyclopaedias, news and more. Access the Virtual Library anytime anywhere by typing and tapping westernquebec.ca/library.
Technology Support
Listen, we get it: Microsoft Teams isn’t exactly as intuitive as the Tiktok app. What that in mind, we’ve prepared our own tutorials and resources to help you master the tech world.
Homework Support
- LEARN Online Tutoring – Experienced teachers are available online Monday through Thursday evenings to help students of Québec English Schools – just like you – with studying and homework. With an Internet access, you can benefit from this free service. You will need a password that is usually provided by your teacher. Check out LEARN Québec.
- Alloprof – Call, email or text a teacher, en français, with your question with this free service made available to all Québécois students. French only. Check out Alloprof.
- Western Québec Virtual Library – As Western Québec students, you have access to millions of sources on tons of platforms through our virtual library. Take a look at the Virtual Library.
Emotional and Social Support
- Kids Help Phone – You can always call a Kids Help Phone counsellor at 1 800 668-6868.
- Tel-Jeunes – Professional, confidential, free, and available 24/7. Call 1 800 263-2266 or text 514 600-1002 anytime, anywhere.
- Hope for Wellness – Immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. Phone and chat counselling is available in English and French. Upon request, phone services are also available in Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut. Call 1-855-242-3310 or visit their website for a live chat with a counsellor.
Drugs and Alcohol
Our school board has two DART (Drug Awareness Resource Team) technicians who support schools year round. You might know them as the drug ladies. They provide drug awareness, prevention and intervention in our elementary and secondary schools. They may support referrals and liaise with outside services to help link students and parents with the appropriate programs available.
Do you have a question about drugs or alcohol? You can ask Erica Tomkinson or Kelly Connolly.
The Law
Information/Awareness and Tips
- Canada’s opioid crisis
- Do you Speak Cannabis?
- Parent Action on Drugs
- Cannabis Talk Kit
- Drug Free Kids Canada
- Drugs over Dinner
Rehabilitation Centres
- Centres de réadaptation en dépendance de l’Outaouais (French only)
- Walgman Centre
- Portage Québec – Drug Addiction and Employment Reintegration Programs
Vaping
- Suchitra Krishnan-Sarin: What you should know about vaping and e-cigarettes | TED Talk
- Government of Canada – About Vaping
- The Link Ottawa – Vaping
Quitting