This year marks the 85th anniversary of the Ontario Association of Parents in Catholic Education (OAPCE), which will be hosting a conference to mark the occasion.

Established in 1939, the OAPCE serves as the collective voice of Ontario parents and guardians in the publicly funded English Catholic education system.

The conference, scheduled for April 12-13 at Toronto’s Msgr. Percy Johnson Catholic Secondary School, will not only celebrate the past of Catholic education in Ontario but will also set the stage for its future. It embodies the organization’s commitment to uniting parents, educators and students in the shared goal of preserving and enhancing Catholic education in the province. The agenda will include a meet and greet session on the Friday evening, followed by the conference the next day, which will include a number of guest speakers and a Mass offered by Archbishop Francis Leo. Highlighting the event will be a gala dinner, where awards will be presented to individuals who have made notable contributions to Catholic education.

Advertisement

Joe Perri, co-executive director of OAPCE with his wife Annalisa Crudo-Perri, underscored the conference’s objective.

“The preservation of Catholic education in Ontario is the goal,”  he said.

Crudo-Perri elaborated on the conference’s significance.

“That’s the one thing that is special about our organization: that we can bring parents together from across the province. We come together to collectively celebrate Catholic education and to make sure that we’re all here doing it together,”  she said.

Advertisement

The role of OAPCE extends beyond the conference. It helps parents navigate the complexities of the local school board and Ministry of Education policies. As advocates for Catholic education, OAPCE’s efforts in providing resources and guidance support not only individual student success but also the broader success of Catholic education in Ontario. The organization maintains a presence in key Ministry of Education initiatives and working tables, including curriculum review, student achievement, the Minister’s Partnership Table and the EQAO’s Assessment Review Committee.

Perri is honoured to represent parents across Ontario.

“For me, the position has been an honorary one because I feel that it’s an honour to represent parents across the province,” he said. “I feel honoured to give Catholic education to the future. It’s about what we can ensure for future families in Ontario and to be able to contribute to the future of our children across the province.”

Crudo-Perri shared a similar perspective on their work.

“Just knowing that we are helping parents, and we are helping their relationship with their children, as far as their education goes, is very fulfilling,” she said.

Advertisement

Looking forward, OAPCE aims to increase its direct engagement with parents.

“We’re trying to get out there to meet parents. We’ve been working virtually for the past several years, so now, we’re really trying to connect with parents one on one,” Crudo-Perri said.