You CAN Make a Difference ...

on the School Council

As a school council member, you can help your council discover new and exciting ways to contribute to the education of students in your school. Education is a partnership involving parents, students, teachers, principals, school boards, government, and the community. Your participation can make a difference!

We meet once a month for a 2 hour meeting. We discuss current issues at the school, find out the needs of the school and endeavour to try and help meet those needs through fundraising.

School Councils: A Guide for Members

Ontario Parent Council

Why Participate on the Parent Council?

A publication entitled "School Improvement Planing: A Handbook for Principals, Teachers and School Councils" states that research proves:

Parental involvement is one of the most significant factors contributing to a child’s success in school. When parents are involved in their children’s education, the level of student achievement increases. Students attend school more regularly, they complete more homework in a consistent manner, and demonstrate more positive attitudes towards school. They are also more likely to complete high school.

Membership on a school council also benefits the individuals involved. The personal advantages of becoming a school council member include:

• being an important partner in the education system, whose views are valued;
• contributing to the shared goal of improving student achievement;
• having a vehicle through which to express opinions;
• being able to keep informed about what is happening at the school, the board, and at the provincial level of education.

Where was the Fundraising Money Used Last Year?

You may wonder why schools fund-raise when they are already given a yearly budget. Many times the budget falls short, leaving schools to manage however they can. Below is a list of things that the Parent Council was able to pay for last year with money obtained from fundraising:

Student Agendas:
- fundraising paid $1,000 for agendas, so students only had to pay $6 per agenda last year

Graduation:
- fundraising paid $300 for graduation costs (cake, punch, plates, cutlery, napkins, glasses, decorations, etc)

Student Awards:
- fundraising paid $1,000 for student awards (student keeper plaques, engraving, lettering on the front foyer award boards, SAC sponsorship of the French Language Award)

Athletics:
- fundraising paid $500 towards athletics (track ribbons, support of the daily physical activity initiative, etc)

Swim/Skate program:
- fundraising paid $500 towards the swim/skate program

Council Members

The Parent Council has made many contributions to the school over the years. The fundraising that we do helps to offset costs for items the school may not be able to fit into their budget. None of this could be achieved without the council members and those who attend every month or contribute in other ways.

Click to view the roles of council members.

2008-2009 Council Members

Chair: Kathy Ashmead
Vice Chair: Paula Sakell
Treasurer: Carrie Lynn French
Secretary: M Eldridge
Fundraiser Sub-committee Chair: Paula Sakell
Webmaster: M Eldridge
Community Rep: Barb Turcotte

Aside from the above council members, the Principal, Vice Principal, Office Administrator, one teacher and numerous parents attend the meetings.