1. School Councils School Improvement Plan for Student Achievement SIPSA

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. Parent and school council Involvement  2008-2009 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  2009-2010 One day session with other secondary schools in our zone, working with staff to develop the school improvement plan

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. School Council Plan  Parent Reaching Out Grants to strengthen lines of communication between parents, school and students to address student anxiety  2009-2010 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

10. 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.

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

12. School Council Plan  Communication: Newsletters, Email 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