Time to get back into the swing of things. Here are our suggestions for getting your parent council up and running this September.
September is the month that School Council elections typically take place. There are some schools who will wait until the last minute. This will force parent councils to schedule a meeting in early October. Regulation 612 requires elections to take place within 30 days of the start of the school year.
Rather than just simply holding council elections, existing councils in collaboration with the Principal might consider holding an Annual General Meeting (view a sample Annual General Meeting agenda) featuring a speaker that is relevant to the school community. It is an excellent opportunity to attract more parents early in the school year. It is also excellent time to showcase the work the council accomplished the previous school year along with the goals for the upcoming year. Letting parents know what role they can play in making a difference in the school community may encourage new people to run for election to the school council.
The Election Procedures outlined in Regulation 612 requires;
“The principal of a school, shall, at least 14 days before the date of the election of parent members, on behalf of the school council, give written notice of the date, time and location of the election to every parent of a pupil who, on the date the notice is given, is enrolled in the school.” C.Reg.612/00 s. 4(6)
This being the case, it is easier if the outgoing council establishes a date for elections prior to the closing of their business for the current year. The letter could be drafted and ready to go at the beginning of the new school year. Take a look at a sample Principal Annual General Meeting letter that I have put together. Having said that, it is often beneficial to wait a few weeks into the new school year so that you have the opportunity to engage new parents to join the council.
Provide Additional Parent Council Information for Parents
Attaching information about the role of the school council and nomination forms to the notice sent out by the Principal will also assist in increasing interest for parents who may not be aware of the work of the council.
School Councils may wish to consider using Parents Engaged in Education’s School Council brochure which can be downloaded free of charge.
Following the school council elections it is helpful to hold the first Inaugural Meeting of the council in order to elect the Executive Committee (Chair, Vice Chair or Co-Chair, Treasurer and Secretary). Before electing these roles provide all members information about the roles and responsibilities of each position. To assist Parents Engaged in Education has developed several resources which may make this process easier.
Parent Engaged in Education Parent Council Resources
- School Council Chairs Brochure
- Roles and Responsibilities of a School Council Chair
- Roles and Responsibilities of a School Council Treasurer
- Roles and Responsibilities of a School Council Secretary
- School Council Secretaries – Taking and Maintaining minutes for school council meetings
Set Future Meeting Dates
The inaugural meeting would be the best time to establish school council meeting dates for the entire school year. This will allow the council chair or the Principal to communicate these dates to the school community.
October Meeting
The October meeting is when the school council really begins operating at most schools. See our October meeting topics and resources.
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