School Community Councils Engaging Parents and Community in Learning

Agenda Introductions and Greetings Sun West Personnel and Initiatives SCCs – Roles and Responsibilities Planning for Improvement and Networking Workshop Planning

Guy Tetrault – Director of Education Karen Itterman – Sun West Board of Education Chair and Sub-Division No. 3 Ruth Griffith – Sun West Board of Education Vice-chair and Town of Kindersley

Ryan Smith Superintendent of Business

Ideas for SCC Involvement Shari Martin – Superintendent of Curriculum, Colony Schools and Davidson School Parent Tool kit Parent Brochures Books for Babies Ideas for SCC Involvement

Senior Science Curricula

Darren Gasper – Superintendent of Technology, Distance Learning School and Kenaston School

Educational Sector Strategic Planning (ESSP) Kathy Grad – Superintendent of School Operations: OES, OHS, RCHS, Eston, Loreburn, Lucky Lake Educational Sector Strategic Planning (ESSP)

Positive Mental Health Shelley Hengen – Superintendent of Student Services, IndEp Schools Positive Mental Health Goal: Improve graduation rates and engagement levels in Sun West School Division by understanding and improving the mental health of students and staff. Better Mental Health Better Physical Health Better Learners Educators Communities

Purpose: Create a common understanding of positive mental health Support all staff in becoming more responsive to mental health Help students in become more aware of their own mental health Create and share mental health resources Engage the community in mental health discussions

Personalized Learning Kim Hobbs – Assistant Superintendent of School Operation: KCS, Westberry, Elizabeth, NWCS, Coleville, Westcliff, Eaton Personalized Learning www.brainshark.com/sunwestsd/vu?pi=zHkzPgTRdzLVFnz0&intk=149246635

The Canadian Innovators in Education Award

School Community Councils What is the role of the SCC? What is the role of the Chairperson? What supports are available?

What are SCCs? School-level councils that involve parents and community members in working together on issues that affect student learning and well-being SCCs are an important and integral part of school division governance. They have heightened role compared to existing school-level entities had and are involved in more types of activities. Every school across the province has a group with a clear focus on student learning and well-being and acts as an important part of the school division governance system.

Background Need for local voice in new larger school divisions Ensuring authentic engagement of youth, parents, and community in learning success In 2005, the Local Accountability and Partnership Panel was appointed by the Minister of Education to develop a provincial framework for local accountability and community involvement. The panel reviewed the current practices across the province and worked to bring together the different types of local boards and community groups dedicated to working with schools. SCC were established in 2006 and required by every school. The new SCC structure would help provide the local voice in the larger school divisions, while ensuring that youth, parents and community members were engaged in the success of their schools.

Purpose Advisory bodies elected to work with families and the community to: Develop shared responsibility for learning successes and well-being of children Encourage families and community members and youth to be involved in school planning and improvement Through involvement with SCCS, families and communities can be a part of school planning and improvement.

Partners For Creating a Better Education System Improved Student Outcomes Ministry of Education Board of Education School Community Council Principal and Teachers Inter-agencies Parents and Community Members It takes a village.. The process of creating a better education system requires the involvement of all partners We have valuable resources in our communities and everyone can help. We all have something to contribute, and with our parents and community members, our students will be more successful.

Who is The SCC? Elected parents/community members Appointed members: ~ school staff ~ students ~ groups/individuals that meet the needs/interests of the school community Human services, Elders, immigrant families, business and industry, town council, rec director, priests/ministers

Duties Develop an understanding of the needs and goals for student learning in school and the community Help develop and carry out school learning improvement plan (A3) The School Community Council is an advisory board who work together to provide ideas and opinions to help the school principal and Board of Education create a better place for learning. Provide information for parents and communities Get feedback Provide feedback to the school and the Board of Education SCC’s help schools respond to the need of your community 4. Development of the School A3 and any Action Items assigned to them: Literacy evening, writer’s workshop, fun and fitness afternoon, math take-home kits, information booth on the evening of student led conferences, apple-a-day, parenting classes,

Communicate work being done Participate in training and development Provide advice and represent parents and community to Board of Education and school staff on policies and programming Communicate work being done Participate in training and development Provide advice on School fees, school closures, budget, fundraising Literacy evening, writer’s workshop, fun and fitness afternoon, math take-home kits, information booth on the evening of student led conferences, apple-a-day, parenting classes, To better understand and grow at what they do SCCs should participate in orientation training, development and networking opportunities. This will allow the SCC to enhance its capacity to fulfil its responsibility – Rural Congress https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOhZ6U5yaXA

Take action to engage parents and community in child and youth learning and well-being:

Role of the Chairperson Council Development Oversee committees Support member training Work with the Council to manage the operating budget Chair and oversee planning for the Annual Meeting Be aware of committee work – ensure good communication with school principal

ESSP Planning (A3) Work with the Principal to development of the school A3 With the Council provide advice on the school learning program Support School A3

Community Development & Partnerships Lead the Council in providing supports to parents to become more directly involved in their children’s learning and well-being Working with neighbourhood, community agencies, groups to address issues affecting students and families

Communications Meet regularly with the Principal to communicate Council issues and advice Chair Council meetings and develop agenda, communicate times and locations to families and community members, share work with stakeholders

Monitoring Results and Planning to Improve Discussions at meeting how to continue to support student learning and wellbeing Getting feedback on SCC work Celebrate successes

Division Support Meeting Visits Family Engagement Circle Sun West SCC Site Networking Opportunities Workshop Rural Congress 2016 - Imagine the Possibilities

How Are We Doing?

Beginning Developmental Stage Proficient and Effective Progressing Stage Proficient and Effective Stage 1 – Informing   Reliant on principal leadership Members learning roles & responsibilities Council learning to work together as a team Establishing relationships with staff & principal & working to involve broader school community Stage 2 – Involving   Active executive leadership Members clear on roles & responsibilities Communications in place to inform parents and community members Council experiencing successes in involving family & community members Stage 3 – Engaging   Interdependent leadership between Chair & principal Works effectively in supporting student learning and wellbeing Annual report prepared on activities, plans and results Council knowledgeable of the social, health & economic conditions of the community & the needs, aspirations of students & families Engages a diverse base of the community SCC Continuum of Development and Effectiveness

Community Development and Partnerships Learning Improvement Plan Community Development and Partnerships Council Development Communication Monitoring Results and Planning to Improve

Activity One Check the color of the dot on the cover of your yellow folder. Go to the table marked with your color. Individually complete Handout 1. Discuss your results with your group As a group, complete Handout 2. Make sure each group member records the information for Handout 2.

How Might We Move Forward?

(Hand in worksheets when all discussion has ended.) What are Our Next Steps? Activity Two Move to your new group. Share information from both handouts with your group. As a group, identify: - 2 things we are doing well - 2 areas we need to work on soon (Hand in worksheets when all discussion has ended.)

SCC Workshop Planning May 10th 2016