CSAC Chairs and Principals Workshop Roles and Responsibilities Theory into Practice: Effective Strategies to Enhance Parent Engagement October 1, 2014 Carla Marchetti Senior Coordinator International Languages/ Parent & Community Engagement

 Importance of Parent Engagement  Parent Engagement in Policy and Guidelines  CSAC Chair—Role and Responsibilities  Principal—Role and Responsibilities  Agendas  Resources  Questions

Why engage parents?

The child's first and most influential teacher is the parent. A child's ideas about education and its significance begin with the parent. Improving the effectiveness of the home as a learning environment is critical to promoting long-term school success.

Three constructs primarily influence parents’ involvement decisions: a) Parents become involved in schools if they hold the belief that they should be involved. b) Parents’ sense of efficacy—belief that their involvement can exert a positive influence on child’s educational outcomes. c) Parents perceive that the child and the school want them to be involved.

Parent Engagement Student Engagement Student Well Being and Achievement Our Mission: We are an inclusive Catholic learning community that educates students, staff, parents and trustees to grow in grace and knowledge and to lead lives rooted in faith, hope and charity. Parent Engagement

PARISH SCHOOL HOME

Living Our Catholic Values - Parents will be supported in their integral role of nurturing the relationship between home, school and parish. Student Achievement and Well-Being - Students, staff and parents will share a common understanding of the lear ning goals and related success criteria by Strengthening Public Confidence - Enhance a variety of communications vehicles to all stakeholders. - Communicate TCDSB Multi-Year Strategic Plan, goals, values and achievements. - Create and implement a proactive community engagement strategy.

Parents in Partnership…. A PARENT ENGAGEMENT POLICY FOR ONTARIO SCHOOLS 2010

Parent Voice in Education Project— Key Areas for Action  To empower the parent voice within the education system  To create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for parents  To recognize the differences among Ontario’s diverse communities. Fulfilling the Vision of Parent Engagement—Strategies for Success 1.Positive school climate where parents are heard. 2.Identify and remove barriers and reflect diversity of communities. 3.Provide parents with knowledge, skills, and tools they need to support student learning at home and at school. 4.Review and expand communication and outreach strategies related to supporting learning at home and parent engagement in schools. (p.14)

School Actions Actively explore and utilize opportunities (such as Parents Reaching Out (PRO) Grants) to further engage parents at school and at home to support student achievement. Actively support and encourage school council members and other parents to share their ideas for reducing the student achievement gap and to help inform school improvement plans. (p. 28)

SCHOOL EFFECTIVENESS FRAMEWORK K

Home, School and Community Partnerships 6.1 The School Council has a meaningful role in supporting learning and achievement for students 6.2 Students, parents and community members are engaged and welcomed as respected, valued partners 6.3 The school and community build partnerships to enhance learning opportunities for students 6.4 Learning opportunities, resources and supports are provided to help parents support student learning and have productive parent-teacher- student conversations.

The School Council has a meaningful role in supporting learning and achievement for students. ❖❖ The School Council, in partnership with staff, consults with, listens to and assists the parent community in becoming familiar with current school and community issues and information (e.g., opportunity to learn about the School Improvement Plan). ❖❖ The School Council encourages parents’ involvement in their children’s learning at home and at school. ❖❖ Targets and achievement results are communicated to the school community both to build public confidence and to engage parents in supporting student learning and achievement. ❖❖ The School Council promotes increased parent involvement that reflects the diversity of the school community to support student achievement and well-being. ❖❖ The School Council identifies and works with staff to address barriers to parent and community engagement. (Indicator 6.1, p. 38)

Realizing the Promise of Diversity …. ONTARIO’S EQUITY AND INCLUSIVE EDUCATION STRATEGY 2009

Focuses on: encouraging open dialogue with parents, community groups, and partners developing community partnerships that reflect the diversity of the broader community ensuring that diverse groups are on school communities analyzing current outreach efforts so that all community groups have access to and can participate in school-community partnerships

Catholic School Advisory Councils are mandated by provincial law and governed by school board policy.

 Voice  Representation  Common Good  Strong, accountable and transparent governance is the cornerstone of an effective learning environment where children thrive

 Relationship building  Communication  Welcoming, respectful environment

Under the Education Act:  Ontario Regulation 612/00-School Councils and Parent Involvement Committees  Regulation 298(Operation of Schools, General). Regulation 298(Operation of Schools, General) Both regulations require that: ◦ school boards and principals solicit views from school councils and report back to school councils on any advice received; ◦ school boards and school principals across the province consult with and respond to their school councils in a consistent manner.

 through the active participation of parents, to improve pupil achievement and to enhance the accountability of the education system to parents.  primary means of achieving its purpose is by making recommendations in accordance with this Regulation to the principal of the school and the board that established the council. Purpose (Section 2)

School Councils exist to advise the principal of the school and/or the school board on ways to improve student achievement and well-being CSACs are to be consulted about: Principal & Vice Principal Profiles School Code of Conduct Appropriate Dress Code Fund-raising activities Local action plan for student improvement Parent Reaching Out Grants

OBLIGATIONS OF CSAC Promote Catholic Faith and Gospel Values Establish goals, priorities and procedures, consistent with the Mission and Vision of the Board Develop by-laws governing the conduct of its affairs, including election, vacancies, conflict of interest and conflict resolution

ROLE OF PRINCIPAL Attend all CSAC meetings—may delegate duties to vice-principal Communicate name of CSAC members and date, time, and place of meetings. In consultation with CSAC Chair, assist in developing agenda Act as a resource person—assist council in obtaining relevant information including function of council, legislation, regulations, policies Distribute and post material received from the Ministry that are identified for distribution to CSAC Consider each recommendation made by CSAC and advise CSAC of action taken

TORONTO CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD SCHOOL BUDGET STATUS REPORT AS AT FEBRUARY 15, 2012 SCHOOL NAME : BUDGETEXPENDITURES BALANCE REMAINING SAP ACCOUNTS SCHOOL BLOCK ACCOUNT (LOC#) OUTSIDE AGENCY/EXTERNAL REVENUE ACCOUNT (LOC335) CSAC ACCOUNT (LOC333) TOTAL OPENING BALANCE DEPOSITS DISBURSEMENTS /EXPENDITURES CLOSING BALANCE EXTERNAL BANK ACCOUNTS SCHOOL BANK ACCOUNT NUTRITION/SNACK PROGRAM ACCOUNT TOTAL Note: LOC = School's 3 Digit Location #

 Call and Chair Council meetings (4 per year).  Prepare the Agenda in consultation with the Principal. Meet with the Executive to finalize the Agenda.  Ensure council members understand their roles and facilitate conflict resolution on the school council.  Conduct meetings in an invitational, harmonious manner in the context of Gospel Values.  Be entitled to one vote in matters where a vote is taken.  Participate in information and training programs.  Act as a link between the council and the community in support of school programs to improve student achievement. All communication to be vetted through school principal.

ROLE OF CSAC CHAIR Make recommendations to the principal and to the Board to improve student achievement. Represent the school community. Ensure that the minutes of Council meetings are recorded and maintained

activate your school CSAC account –done at the local level by the school principal adhere to school CSAC by-laws promote diverse representation as much as possible, facilitate decision-making through consensus –provide opportunities for all members to give input—team approach making decisions—consensus/voting/motions ensure that PIC and PRO funds are expended

Sub-Committees Standing Committees as outlined in by-laws Academic Affairs Communications Community Relations Fund Raising Elections / Bylaws Finance Make recommendations to CSAC Must include at least one parent member of the council. May include persons that are not CSAC members Principal to give notice of dates, times and location of meetings.

SETTING AN AGENDA set by Chair in consultation with principal refer to By-laws in order to determine request for agenda items to meet the posting timelines (5 to 7 days before meeting) the agenda only becomes binding and is the official agenda for a meeting, when it is adopted by the full assembly at the outset of the meeting. at the time that an agenda is presented for adoption, it is in order for any member to move to amend the proposed agenda by adding any item that the member desires to add, or by proposing any other change.

DATE LOCATION TIME SCHOOL NAME Sample Agenda SCHOOL LOGO AGENDA ITEMS OWNERTIME Welcome, Call to Order, Roll Call, Declaration of Quorum, Introduction of Guests and Prayer Chair Review and approval of Agenda Chair Review and approval of previous MinutesChair & Secretary Declaration of conflict of interest Chair Report from the Chair Chair Financial Report Treasurer Old Business and Business Arising from the Minutes Agenda Items Deferred or carried forward Sub-Committee Reports and Recommendations Various Principal’s Report Principal (or Designate) New Business Various Announcements & Date, Time & Location of Next Meeting Chair Adjournment Chair

TCDSB RESOURCES Translation and Interpreting—Central Account Settlement Workers Student Success, Literacy and Numeracy Resources for Parents Transition to High School (14 languages) Welcome to Kindergarten Parent and Family Literacy Centers Special Education Advisory Council Catholic Parent Involvement Committee (CPIC) Toronto Association for Parents in Catholic Education (TAPCE)

PARISH Preparation for Sacraments Knights of Columbus Catholic Women’s Auxiliary Rosary Apostolates Catholic Youth Groups Outreach Programs—Food Drives

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION type=ANY&q=parents

“We must lift people up….. not push people out.” David Booth

Joyce Epstein’s Framework of Six Types of Involvement

Resources CSAC Grants Guide: Fundraising Guidelines (Draft MOE): Ontario Regulation 612/00: School Councils: A Members Guide (Revised 2002) TCDSB CSAC Resource Handbook (Draft) Ministry of Education: