We acknowledge the 2023-2024 Parent Council for the contributions of its members. We are now calling upon interested parents/guardians of students attending Lucy Maud to declare their candidacy for the 2024-2025
Council.
The Role of the Parent Council
Our school council has a legislated role to ensure the best possible education for students. The school council is comprised of democratically elected representatives of our parent community. Together, they:
- Focus on student learning and the best interest of all students.
- Provide a forum through which parents and other members of the school community can contribute to improving student achievement and performance.
- Make recommendations to the school principal and the Board on any matter they see impacting accountability and academic excellence.
- Serve as a communication and information conduit between the school and the community.
Clarifying the Advisory Role
The responsibility for the administration and management of the day-to-day operation of the school rests with the principal. However, as an advisory body, the School Council provides a forum through which parents and other members of the school community can contribute to improving student achievement and performance. The Council may provide recommendations to the principal on any subjects such as:
- School improvement (e.g., safe school policies, code of behaviour, school budget priorities).
- Preparation of the principal and vice-principal profile (for new appointees).
- School communication strategies.
- Co-curricular activities.
- Community use of school facilities.
- Development, implementation and review of Board policies at the local level.
Responsibilities:
- Adopt a constitution.
- Establish goals, priorities and procedures.
- Maintain a school-wide focus.
- Promote the best interests of the school community.
- Consult regularly with the school community to seek their views on issues being addresses by the Council.
- Report to the community on the Council’s activities.
- Work within existing policies of the Board.
- Meet at least four times per year.
- Ensure that all meetings are open to members of the school community.
- Establish a procedure for reimbursement of expenses incurred by school council members on behalf of the Council.
Eligible Members
Parents/guardians must form the majority of the Council. The term of office for elected and appointed positions is one year. The following school community groups shall be represented:
- Parents/guardians (elected by parents/guardians)
- Community representative (appointed by Council)
- Principal (designated member)
- Teacher (elected by teaching staff)
- Support Staff (elected by support staff)
- Student (elected by the student council)
Council Positions
Parents/guardians of a student enrolled at Lucy Maud can vote in our school council election and run as a parent member. Parents can nominate themselves by completing and forwarding a nomination form (see other side). Each year, the school council will elect a chair from the parent members. The chair is responsible for facilitating meetings and accurately representing the school council’s position on certain issues. The council may also elect a co-chair, vice-chair, secretary or treasurer.
Term of Office
Council terms for elected and appointed positions are for a one-year term. Members can seek re-election each subsequent year and the executive positions may be limited by individual school council constitutions.