Roles and Responsibilities
Every Peel school has a school council—a group focused on helping students succeed. School councils include parents, school staff, community representatives and, in some cases, students.
There are three components that make up a School Council's mandate:
- Promote the best interests of the school
- Facilitate two-way communication between the school and parents/community
- Act as an advisory body providing ideas and suggestions to assist the principal, trustee and superintendent in making decisions on educational issues
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What is the role of a school council?
School councils advise principals, superintendents and school trustees on educational topics and issues, including:
- planning for improvement of student progress
- school activity calendar
- code of behaviour
- school program priorities and curriculum delivery
- budget priorities
- ways to promote communication between parents and the school
- principal selection criteria
- extracurricular activities
- school-based services
- fundraising policies
- conflict resolution policies
- reimbursement of expenses for council members
- community use of school facilities
- school profile
In addition, a school council will:
- establish and review council goals, objectives, action plans and procedures each year
- hold a minimum of four meetings each year
- organize training for council members
- communicate regularly with parents and the school community
- meet certain commitments to their school and to the Ministry of Education, including preparing an annual report and financial statements for all fundraising activities each year
- place the interests of students first
- help all parents and other partners in education share responsibility for student success
- encourage parent and community involvement in the educational system
- promote effective relationships among home, school and community
- help parents and community members share their views on school success
- promote positive attitudes towards public education
School council recommendations
School councils make recommendations to the principal about issues that affect the school. The principal may refer recommendations about broader educational issues to the appropriate board official. The principal and the board must consider council’s recommendations and advise council of any actions that may be taken in response to those recommendations.
Align your council’s work to the school’s goals
School councils are an important part of the school team. Any projects the council decides to take on should align with the school’s goals in the School Success Plan. A good way to start the year is to review the School Success Plan as a council and discuss how family engagement can support the school’s goals. Here are some resources to help with your planning: