important to work towards consensus – as much as possible, avoid going to a vote

VOTE – I'm going to come back to this (consensus)

how many of you have a school council that looks like this? determine # of parents that is sustainable – at least 5 – unless you have a by-law that allows you to have a different number doesn't work to have all interested parents on the council Train them to sit next year Give them a role on a sub-committee parent members must have students enrolled at the school membership should reflect the diversity of the school community term of office – normally two years; should be staggered so that approx. half of the members are elected each year members may be re-elected or reappointed for more than one term

Elementary schools - at least 9 members 5 parents PLUS – prin, teacher, support staff, community member Secondary schools – at least 11 members 6 parents PLUS – prin, teacher, support staff, community member, student IMPT – don’t need an election if there aren’t enough interested parents – you need more than 5 interested parents (unless by-law says otherwise) to hold an election, otherwise acclaimed

if lunchroom supervisor, cannot be a SC parent rep, but could be a support staff rep. if volunteer, can be a parent rep. if OT who regularly teaches at the school – staff rep, not parent rep

mandate is to be the voice of all parents at your school – to bring the collective issues forward for discussion

So… if you're hearing from parents that students aren’t getting enough homework, it's not the councils role to determine how much homework students receive. the principal’s role is to listen to that feedback, go back to key staff to discuss their feedback, bring your staff’s suggestions back and suggestions options, which may include offering a session for parents on the topic of homework

principal and the board must consider council's recommendations and advise council of any actions taken in response to those recommendations principal may refer recommendations about broader educational issues to the board through superintendent and trustee

What does advisory mean? principal required to listen to advice and required to report back on status, but not required to implement suggestions Here’s an example: I sometimes hear helpful advice from my mother-in-law, but that doesn't mean that I always take it. Regardless of how well-intentioned it is---sometimes we simply just can't act on the advice.

when it comes time for an election, we often find ourselves asking… “Where are all the parents?” main form of involvement is with their children at home if you think about your own life, that makes sense most of our involvement with our own children is at home we need to validate and value that

first meeting must be held within 5 working days of election deadline – first meeting by Oct. 25, 2010 post agendas well in advance make minutes available asap after meeting

important to post agenda ahead of time – increases attendance section in guide re: agendas