November’s meeting often makes us realize how quick the school year passes! It is time to start implementing some of the plans that were made last month.
There may be some carryover work in developing a long term plan or completing the work to establish sub-committees. Remember to add this to the agenda and the council should work hard to complete these items in November.
School Council Training Sessions
Often school boards or other parent groups offer school council training sessions in November. These sessions are used as a way to empower members with the tools they need to run and participate in an effective school council. Every member should do their best to attend these sessions and events.
Increasing Parent Engagement
A most have topic for this month’s agenda should be, “how to increase parent engagement”. This should include both parent engagement at home and at school. This topic is a very important one and is critical to the role of the school council. Ideas to be discussed may include:
- running a specific interactive event
- having volunteers come in and read to classes in the library
- building a community garden
Communications sub-committee
The Communication committee could research and provide information on the various tools to assist in keeping parents informed such as:
- Trustee newsletters and eblasts.
- How parents can access news releases etc. from the board.
- Link to the Ministry of Education news – http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/new/2013/1304.html
- Link to Ministry of Education “Parents Section” on their website at- http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/parents
- Encourage parents to visit the school website and/or social media feeds often to stay updated on school communications.
Parent Survey
Your school council should try to determine what the viewpoints are of all parents. As a school council you will want to have a real idea of how parents would like to be engaged in their children’s education at home and at school. This is a great month to survey the parents in the school community.
By clicking the link, you can see a sample parent survey that we have put together.
December Meeting
Be sure to check back for our November – Parent Council Topics and Activities
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