School Councils School Improvement Plan for Student Achievement SIPSA

Role of School Councils  Ontario Regulation 612/00 (amended 330/10 adding Parent Involvement Committees)  Mandate: to improve pupil achievement and to enhance the accountability of the education system to parents  Primary means by making recommendations to the principal and the board

School Councils  Constitution: document the mandate of school council Example:  Serve as a liaison among the school, the board and the community  Advise on all areas of school policy  Propose initiatives to maximize educational opportunities and enhance school life

Board Improvement Plan for Student achievement (BIPSA) WELL  Linked to the Board’s Strategic Plan: 4 Key priorities – WELL (Well-Being, Engagement, Leadership, Learning)  Sets the District’s direction and framework for the Schools’ improvement Planning  Board’s Improvement Plan 2010 became template for the province  Roles included parents, community and school councils

Parent and school council Involvement  Presentations by the school improvement team with parent feedback. Referenced board’s focus on literacy, numeracy, character and pathways. Set goals, measurement and timing for reports  One day session with other secondary schools in our zone, working with staff to develop the school improvement plan

School Improvement Plan  November 2009 Reviewed analysis of the numeracy data and set goals with emphasis on the mathematical process of making “connections”  Participated in the PD day with SIP focus developing SMART goals for numeracy  2010 invited into 6 classrooms to observe the SIP in action  Observations of the connections and feedback to staff meeting

Parent observations  Connections between different subjects; dance and geometry, vectors and real life, surveys and market research.  Connections between teachers and students, student engagement and learning  Trust; teachers and parents, building relationships, sharing a common language and understanding

School Improvement Plan  2011 School Improvement Plan focus on community, culture and caring  Student Survey; school climate  Parents, school council and community; a)feedback on building positive school climate, b)consult community as a resource for cultural proficiency and mental health, c)align and share activities with educators

School Council Plan  Parent Reaching Out Grants to strengthen lines of communication between parents, school and students to address student anxiety  Dr. Ritchie, Psychologist, CHEO, Challenges facing teens, bullying, workload and stress. Dr. Scoular, Clinical Psychologist, CHEO, Signs of anxiety in teens and how to identify symptoms

School Council Plan  2010 Youth Services Bureau: helping parents communicate effectively with their children to address tension and stress  2011 Youth Counsellors: Paths to Teen Well-Being and Success  2012 Hot Jobs Critical Skills, Conference Board of Canada  Dr. Rebecca Lloyd, Ottawa University. How to cultivate feelings of vitality through physical activity, and the connection to education and learning.

Council Actions  2010 Pathways evening with Guidance  2011 CHEO Evening: topics concerning youth  2013 Mike Baine, Youth Mental Health presentation at council meeting

School Council Plan  Communication: Newsletters, lists, Website, Welcome Table at school events, Council meetings, OCASC, Secondary School Committee, Board consultations and committees  Parents access to research and study to become informed  Information is key to constructive feedback