OFHSA is:
An independent voice for parents and caregivers, supporting informed and meaningful parent participation in public education at the school, school board and provincial levels.
A province-wide network of volunteers and parent leaders committed to making the education, health, safety and social well-being of children and youth a priority.
A source of support, information and guidance for parents, with resources available to help families better understand education, navigate concerns and become confident advocates for their children.
The provincial governing body for Home & School Associations, providing leadership, governance, training, resources, insurance and ongoing support to member associations across Ontario.
A trusted source of parent perspective, bringing the experiences and concerns of families to conversations with education partners and decision-makers across Ontario.
What we stand for
Supporting parents.
Helping parents and caregivers feel informed, heard and confident.
Strengthening school communities.
Connecting parents, volunteers and schools to build positive, inclusive communities.
Advocating for students and families.
Bringing the parent perspective forward on issues that affect children, youth and their education.
Our Mandate
OFHSA speaks for parents across Ontario. Input and concerns are communicated by individual parents, Home & School Associations, and Home & School Councils to the board of directors for action.
Resolutions brought forward are presented at the Annual Meeting of the Federation. Upon adoption these resolutions become OFHSA policy. Federation responses represent the collective voice of parents.
Our Belief Statement
- We believe parents and guardians are willing and active partners with those delivering education programs and services.
- We believe “Home & School” at all levels is an advocate for the students in the public school system.
- We believe co-operative and healthy environments in the home, the school and the community are necessary for the development of each student.
- We believe local, provincial and national networking is essential.
- We believe effective communication is critical.
Our History
The original crest of the Ontario Federation of Home and School Associations depicts a torch and the year 1916. In 1916, Ada Mary Brown Courtice laid the foundation for the Ontario Federation. A trustee for the Toronto Board of Education, Mrs. Courtice also served as the president of the Toronto Council of Home and School clubs. Under her leadership, these clubs grew from six to twenty-four in number. The oldest group existing was at Rosedale School and it had formed in 1896.
Portrait of Mrs. Courtice, painted 1956
The Toronto Council brought together concerned parents and educators to discuss the issues of the day. Common topics of discussion were the inclusion of athletic facilities in schools and the education of special needs students. At the same time, there were other groups working to involve and inform parents. These included Mother’s Clubs and Parent-Teacher Associations. In May 1919, Ada Mary called delegates of these various organizations together at a conference in Toronto. There, they decided to join forces to form the first provincial Home and School Federation in Canada.
Their common vision saw “Home and School as a movement intended to educate parents for the betterment of children, of education and ultimately for Canadian society as a whole.” The aims of this new organization were carefully worded with due consideration being given to possible expansion. The concluding statement of these aims is significant – “The Federation feels justified in these aims, believing, as it does, that in the schools of tomorrow and through the sympathetic and intelligent co-operation of parents, with inspiring and public-spirited teachers, lies Ontario’s and Canada’s best hope of establishing a Great Democracy. The Federation invites the sympathy and support of all friends of education whether they are workers in the service, parents, or tax-payers.”
Elsewhere in Canada, local associations were thriving. In 1922 and 1929, British Columbia and Alberta, respectively, formed provincial federations. Once again, Ontario stepped in to take on a new challenge and in 1927, at a meeting of the World Federation of Educational Associations, the Canadian National Federation of Home and School Associations was born. In 1950 and again in 1997, the name of the national organization was changed, finally becoming the Canadian Home and School Federation.
At the 1963 Annual Meeting of OFHSA, the members adopted the current structure for our federation. This provided a direct line of communication between local associations and the provincial organization.
In her last report to the Ontario Federation of Home and School Associations, Ada Mary Brown Courtice wrote – “More and more we come in contact with interested audiences of men and women eager to find a way of educating public opinion for improved educational advantages for the home, the school, the community. More and more we find trustees and Ministers co-operating in this business of reasoning together about education and the problems of life.”
Past recipients of the Col. R. S. McLaughlin Memorial Award at Conference 2016
Courtice’s vision of OFHSA was non-sexist and non-elitist – a grassroots organization of men and women interested in improving childhood and childhood education. Today, OFHSA members across this province continue the work begun so long ago.