1. Parents’ Associations Harnessing the goodwill Brendan Mc Cabe St. Colmcille’s School, Kells

2. Must your school have a Parents’ Association? BOM is obliged to “give all reasonable assistance to parents who wish to establish a parents’ association and to a parents’ association when it is established”. Education Act(Section 26)

3. Rationale A parents’ association shall promote the interests of the students in a school in cooperation with the board, principal, teachers and students of a school and for that purpose may: advise the principal or the board on any matter relating to the school and the principal or board, as the case may be, shall have regard to any such advice and: adopt a programme of activities which will promote the involvement of parents, in consultation with the principal, in the operation of the school. Education Act Section 26 Education Act Section 26

4. The Purposes of the Parent Teacher Association  To promote the welfare of the children and youth in home, school, community, and place of worship  To raise the standards of home life  To secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth  To bring into closer relation the home and the school, that parents and teachers may cooperate intelligently in the education of children and youth  To develop between educators and the general public such united efforts as will secure for all children and youth the highest advantages in physical, mental, social, and spiritual education. (--National PTA of America)

5. Must the Parents’ Association have a Constitution? “A parents’ association shall, following consultation with its members, make rules governing its meetings and the business and conduct of its affairs”. Education Act Section 26(4) Education Act Section 26(4) This subsection does not confer independent powers on a parents’ association which extends beyond promoting students’ interests.

6. It’s only words… Be clear about what the PA is setting out to achieve Spend as long as is necessary to clarify its Aims and Objectives Remember that the membership will change from year to year so ensure that all new members are given a copy of the Constitution.

7. Example Aims The aim of the parents’ association shall be to enable parents to play their part in ensuring the best possible education for their children, through the parents’ council programme of activities. The parents’ council shall promote the interests of the students in cooperation with the board, principal, teachers and students, in accordance with the provisions of the Education Act 1998.

8. Example objectives To represent the views of parents / guardians To inform the parents / guardians of the activities of the council and school To promote and foster cooperation and support between parents / guardians, teachers and the school board of management To assist in extra curricular activities To provide education for parents / guardians as required To provide opportunities for parents / guardians and teachers to meet and exchange ideas on the education of the students To act in an advisory and consultative capacity in relation to the school and To promote the education and general welfare interest of the students. None of the above objectives shall in anyway interfere with the professional competence of the management and teaching staff of the school.

9. PA Officers Essential to find a Chairperson who can chair, Treasurer who can “treasure” and Secretary who can keep good minutes. Also: Meeting on same day each month. (e.g. First Tuesday) Useful to set a time limit on meetings Begin at the appointed time.

10. Importance of clarifying boundaries A good PA can enhance the quality of educational provision in the school by organising activities which will ultimately be of benefit to the pupils. It should not involve itself with what goes on INSIDE the classrooms i.e. the professional work of the teachers.

11. Finance and fundraising A Parents’ Association (P.A.) is entitled to raise funds for the administration and activities of the association. Full accounts must be maintained and presented at the Annual General Meeting of the P.A. The P.A. should consult with the board about fundraising for the school or school projects. The approval of the board is needed prior to these funds being raised. The expenditure of these funds is by the BOM in consultation with the P.A. The board prepares a total account of income and expenditure at the end of each year and this is available to parents. Any funds raised must be used for the purpose(s) for which the money was collected. If, in exceptional circumstances, it becomes unnecessary for the board to use all of the funds collected for the purpose specified, the board will communicate this to the parents’ association and, where appropriate, the local community. -- Boards of Management Information Manual pg. 35 -- Boards of Management Information Manual pg. 35

12. Examples of activities Family quiz night Organising guest speakers to address the parents Second-hand textbook sales Tuckshop on Sports Day Computer courses for parents Members with special skills (music, science, arts & craft) doing demos for specific classes Organise collection of second-hand toys to distribute to classes for “wet day games” Grandparents’ Day Organising Santa visit Help with school sport Pupil insurance Parents’ Association Newsletter Organising “My Job” talks Cycle safety course Fundraising

13. Teacher involvement Is it necessary for the Principal or designated teachers to attend each PA meeting? Is it necessary for the Principal or designated teachers to attend each PA meeting? Who best knows the needs of the school? Who best knows whether or not a proposal is a practical proposition? Who will be most objective regarding school needs? Who will ensure that the PA stays within acceptable boundaries?

14. Good two-way communication between teachers and parents is essential It begins as a one-to-one dialogue before progressing on to a group dialogue “Talking with” v. “Talking to” (or talking at!)

15. Parent-Teacher relationships Who sets the agenda? Parent?Teacher?Pupil?

16. The pupil The pupil’s education and welfare must be central to all parent- teacher transactions

17. Allaying the fears Parent must realise that the teacher’s concerns are around the education and welfare of pupils Teacher must realise that parent is working from agenda of concern for their child Concerns of both parties very similar!

18. Building the trust Teacher must come across as professional and competent person who has best interests of the pupil at heart

19. Building the trust Teacher must perceive parent as reasonable and realistic in his/her concerns

20. Barriers to understanding Parent sees child in home context. Parent knows child’s personal history intimately. Parent primarily concerned with child’s nurturing. Teacher sees child in context of a large group. Teacher has limited knowledge of child’s background. Teacher primarily concerned with child’s education. Cultural differences

21. Barriers to effective parent- teacher communication Time Clear agenda Reluctance to understand other viewpoints Prescribing before we fully understand Fear

22. Parents want the best for their children They want your school to be the best school in Ireland The majority are more than willing to help But….. they cannot help if they do not have a clear idea of what is needed they cannot help if they do not have a clear idea of what is neededTherefore……

23. Parents have rights …. And duties Parents are the primary educators of their children. All recent Education legislation recognises them as “partners”. How is this partnership best developed?