School Councils

School Councils

Welcome to School Councils: An Open Invitation

In Rainbow Schools, we believe that education is a shared responsibility between the home, the school and the community.

Supportive parents, caring educators and active community members are partners in education working together for the benefit of children.

We welcome and encourage the participation of our partners in education in our schools and in our parent organizations, including School Councils and the Board-wide Parent Involvement Committee (PIC).

What are School Councils?

School Councils are an important part of Rainbow Schools. Elected annually, they provide a forum through which members can contribute to improving student achievement and school performance.

Working in an advisory capacity, School Councils provide input and make recommendations to the school Principal and the Board on a wide range of topics. Examples of areas that may require consultation with School Councils include school budgets, school renovation plans, provincial test results, student Code of Conduct and parental involvement.

If you are a parent/guardian interested in joining the School Council at your child’s school, please complete a Self-Nomination Form and return it to the school Principal. If you know someone else who may be interested in joining the School Council, please complete the Candidate Nomination Form. Board staff and students interested in becoming involved in School Councils should contact the Principal of their school.

What are effective characteristics of School Councils?

School Councils make positive contributions to their school communities when they:

• Offer advice to the school Principal and Board
• Establish and review School Council goals, priorities and procedures on an annual basis
• Plan, organize and implement events and activities focused on improving student success
• Enhance parental and community involvement at the school and school board levels
• Participate in School Council elections
• Hold a minimum of four yearly meetings
• Produce School Council annual reports
• Help develop school profiles
• Keep well informed on issues related to education

Working in an advisory capacity, School Councils provide input and make recommendations to the school Principal and the Board on a wide range of topics. Examples of areas that may require consultation with School Councils include school budgets, school renovation plans, provincial test results, student code of conduct and parental involvement.

What are the benefits of being a member of a School Council?

Participating on School Council is a rewarding experience for those who value the opportunity to improve student success and enhance school communities.  Whether you are a parent, educator, student or a member of the community at large, joining a School Council will benefit you immensely.

By becoming a School Council member, you will:

• Be an important partner in education
• Be a valued member of the school and school Board community
• Be a good role model
• Contribute to the shared goal of ensuring continued excellence in education and the effective operation of schools
• Have the opportunity to provide your input on school related issues
• Have greater influence in education at the school, Board and provincial levels
• Make a difference in the education of your child and other children in your community

How do I join a School Council?

If you are a parent/guardian interested in joining the School Council at your child’s school, please complete a Self-Nomination Form and return it to the school Principal.  If you know someone else who may be interested in joining the School Council, please complete the Candidate Nomination Form.  Board staff and students interested in becoming involved in School Councils should contact the Principal of their school.

School Councils: Orientation for Members

This is your opportunity to become better acquainted with School Councils.  From mandates to meetings and members to minutes, in this section you will find all there is to know about becoming an effective member of a School Council.

To learn more, please refer to the Ministry of Education, School Councils:  A Guide for Members (Revised 2002).

School Council Candidacy Requirements:

• Offer advice to the school Principal and BoardParents/guardians of a student enrolled in a Rainbow school are eligible to run for School Council elections and/or cast their vote in School Council elections at their child’s school.  Parents must make up the majority of School Council members.  Only parents/guardians of a student enrolled in a Rainbow school are eligible to run as a chair or co-chair of a School Council.  School Council parent members elect School Council chairs.
• All Rainbow District School Board employees including educators and/or support staff are eligible to run as a Board representative and/or cast their vote in School Council elections.Any Rainbow school student (optional for elementary schools) is an eligible candidate for School Council.  Student Councils appoint student members.
• Any community member who is not employed by the school board is an eligible candidate for a local School Council.
• School Council members appoint community representatives.

School Council Election Process:

School Council elections for parent representatives take place at the same time each year – within 30 days of the start of the school year.  Elections for School Council chairs take place within 30 days of the parent elections.

In Rainbow Schools, School Council elections are planned and organized by existing School Council members or School Council election sub-committees.  They are responsible for choosing a date, time and location for the election, advertising election information to the school community, developing election campaign procedures and choosing the term of office.

School Council Term of Office:

The membership of a School Council may change from year to year.  Each year, School Councils recruit, elect and assign new members to their School Councils.  Although members are elected and/or appointed for a one-year term, they are welcome to seek additional terms.

Roles and Responsibilities of School Council Members:

Becoming a School Council member carries with it certain responsibilities.

Here are some of the primary functions performed by School Council members.

School Council chairs are voting members who act as important leaders to the School Council and the school community when they:

• Attend and actively participate in School Council meetings, events and activities
• Communicate information from the School Council to the school community
• Provide input and make recommendations to the school Principal and Board
• Prepare agendas and chair School Council meetings
• Prepare School Council annual reports
• Communicate with the school Principal on behalf of the School Council
• Assess and review School Council goals and priorities

Parent representatives are voting members who act as valuable support mechanisms to parents and the School Council when they:

• Attend and actively participate in School Council meetings, events and activities
• Communicate information from the School Council to other parents and community members
• Provide input and make recommendations to the school Principal and Board
• Participate in School Council sub-committees
• Operate as a liaison group on school-related issues
• Encourage the participation of parents within the school community

The school Principal or Vice-principal are School Council representatives who act as important links to the School Council and the school when they:

• Attend and actively participate in School Council meetings, events and activities
• Communicate information from the School Council to the school community
• Consider the input and recommendations made by School Councils
• Provide ministry resource materials and Board information to School Council members
• Seek the opinions and views of School Councils members

Student representatives are voting members who act as a liaison group to their peers and school communities when they:

• Attend and actively participate in School Council meetings, events and activities
• Communicate information from the School Council to the student body
• Provide input and make recommendations to the school Principal and Board
• Encourage the participation of students within the school community

Board employee representatives are voting members who act as key contacts to the School Council and school staff when
they:

• Attend and actively participate in School Council meetings, events and activities
• Communicate information from the School Council to the community
• Provide input and make recommendations to the school Principal and Board
• Solicit views from the school staff
• Encourage the participation of staff members within the school community

Community representatives are voting members who act as important sources to the School Council and community when they:

• Attend and actively participate in School Council meetings, events and activities
• Communicate information from the School Council to the community
• Provide input and make recommendations to the school Principal and Board
• Represent the community’s perspective
• Build strong partnerships and links between the school and community

School Council Meetings and Minutes:

All School Councils are required to hold a minimum of four general meetings each school year. School Council meetings are open to all parents and other members of the school community. The School Council will appoint a parent member to attend a minimum of one Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) meeting during the school year. During School Council meetings, members must keep minutes, set and review yearly goals and priorities, discuss school-related challenges and opportunities and organize school events and activities.

Please contact your area Rainbow school for their School Council meetings and minutes.

10 Ways to Increase Parental Involvement in your School Community

School Councils can encourage and support the involvement of parents in many ways:

1. Create and distribute a survey to all parents in your school community. The survey could focus on finding ways in which parents can  become more involved in the school.  Survey questions could include the following: When are you available – mornings, afternoons,  evenings and/or weekends?  Please check the activities you would like to be involved in – class field trips, school clean-ups and/or Christmas concert?
2. Develop a brief plan of action that addresses the challenges and opportunities identified in the parent survey. For instance, if parents indicated that inadequate transportation prevented them from becoming more involved, perhaps your plan of action could focus on introducing a parent carpool program.
3. Create and distribute a list of School Council contacts as well as dates, times and locations of School Council meetings.
4. Regularly remind parents of upcoming school activities such as open houses, parent-teacher interviews, School Council elections, etc. It may be a good idea to list school-related events and activities on the School Council contact.
5. Direct parents and other members of the school community to educational resources from the Ministry of Education, the Rainbow District School Board and other important organizations including the Ontario Federation of Home and School.
6. Create and distribute a welcome package for parents who are new to the school. The package could contain a message from your School Council chair, the school profile, the School Council contact list, as well as information about parental involvement and volunteer opportunities in Rainbow Schools.
7. Package and distribute school-related communication to parents whenever possible. Communication materials such as school newsletters, monthly school calendars and invitations are an excellent way to increase attendance and participation at school events.
8. Plan and host a social gathering open to all parents in your school community. This provides a wonderful opportunity for School Council members to meet with parents, address any questions they may have and encourage their participation on the School Council. The start of a new school year is an ideal time for parent gatherings.
9. Plan and host special presentations and workshops for parents. Consider inviting a guest speaker to deliver these presentations. Parenting and school-related topics such as Bicycle Safety and First Aid/CPR are generally of interest to parents. If a parent has expertise in a particular area, you could invite him or her to deliver a presentation.
10. Recognize and reward those who are actively involved in your school community.  You could acknowledge efforts by sending a letter, hosting a parent appreciation event and/or presenting certificates of recognition.