According to the Ministry of Education, "the purpose of school councils is, through the active participation of parents, to improve pupil achievement and to enhance the accountability of the education system to parents". (Reg. 612/2.1) A school council may make recommendations to the principal of the school or to the Board on any matter. (Reg. 612/ 20)
The school council is an advisory body that consists of elected parents, teacher(s), principal/vice principal, support staff, community representative(s), secondary school students, (elementary where appropriate), and a representative from the Ontario Home and School Association, if such a group exists in the school. (Reg. 612/3.8)
At the TDSB, school councils are an excellent way for parents to get involved in their child`s education. Every TDSB school has an elected school council. Your school council is an important forum for involving all members of the school community in matters that affect the education of students.
The school council is made up of an elected committee of parents, staff and student representatives, appointed community members, the principal, and general membership that includes all parents of children attending the school.
The school council advises the principal and the Board on a variety of issues and activities relating to student achievement, curriculum goals, and priorities, school budget priorities, school safety, renovation plans, after-school activities, and criteria for selection of new principals.
As a School Council member, you can help your council discover new and exciting ways to contribute to the education of students in our school. Education is a partnership involving parents, students, teachers, principals, school boards, government, and the community.
Your involvement in the council gives you the opportunity to strengthen that partnership, and to be part of a dedicated team working to ensure a high quality of education and an accountable education system. Your participation can make a difference!