Transcript WELCOME St. Marguerite d’Youville Catholic School Council

St. Mark Catholic School
Council
Practicalities: The Nuts and Bolts of
School Council
Strengthening the Partnership
One Spirit Many Gifts
God, the source of every good gift,
You have called us together as servants to do your will.
Grant us the light of your Spirit
To guide us in our responsibilities as a School Council.
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As Catholic School Council Members you pledge that you will respect,
promote and uphold the teachings and values of the Catholic faith and the
Board’s Mission Statement and Governing Values.
Catholic school councils ensure the shared responsibility and collaborative
undertaking of the Catholic education of our children by parents, schools,
parish and community.
Governance
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Education Act – Ontario Regulation 612/00
Board Bylaws – Policy I-23
HCDSB Operations Manual: School Councils
Strengthening Our Partnerships.
School Bylaws
HCDSB – Code of Ethics *
ARTICLE VIII
Council Member Code of Ethics
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A member shall consider the interests of all students
A member shall be guided by the school’s and school board’s mission statement.
A member shall act within the limits of the roles and responsibilities of a school council, as identified by
the school’s operating guidelines, the school board, and the Ministry of Education.
A member shall become familiar with the school’s policies and operating practices and act in accordance
with them.
A member shall maintain the highest standards of integrity.
A member shall recognize and respect the personal integrity of each member of the school community.
A member shall treat all other members with respect and allow for diverse opinions to be shared without
interruption.
A member shall encourage a positive environment in which individual contributions are encouraged and
valued.
A member shall acknowledge democratic principles and accept the consensus of the council.
A member shall respect the confidential nature of some school business and respect the limitations this may
place on the operation of the School Council.
A member shall not disclose confidential information.
A member shall limit discussions at School Council meetings to matters of concern to the school
community as a whole.
A member shall use the established communication channels when questions or concerns arise.
A member shall promote high standards of ethical practice within the school community.
A member shall declare any conflict of interest.
A member shall not accept any payment or benefit financially through School Council involvement.
Purpose (Reg. 612/00)
2.(1) …through active participation of parents, to
improve pupil achievement and to enhance the
accountability of the education system to
parents.
2.(2) A school council’s 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.
Responsibilities
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Actively seek the views of the school community.
Actively represent the views of the school community
and become as influential as possible.
Inform the school community
Involve the school community
Work within the policies of the HCSDB
Become well-informed
Focus on the best interests of all students.
Maintain high ethical standards.
Roles
To advise the school principal, and where appropriate, the School Board on any matter
that the councils have identified as a priority.
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Council Chair shall…
Call school council meetings
Prepare the agenda
Chair meetings
Ensure minutes are recorded and maintained
Participate in information and training programs
Communicate with the principal
Ensure that there are regular communications with the school community
Consult with senior board staff and trustees, as required.
Council Members shall…
Participate in council meetings
Participate in information and training programs
Encourage the participation of parents from all groups and of other people within the school
community
Act as a link between the school council and the community
Attend meetings regularly
Support and promote the decisions reached by council
Be of good will working for the common good of the school community.
Meetings
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Shall be a minimum of four (4) meetings per school year (as per School Bylaws).
Meetings usually run one and one-half hours.
All meetings shall be opened to members of the school community. (“in-camera
meetings” are not allowed.)
Presentations to council by community members are not to exceed three (3)
minutes, upon giving ten (10) days written notice to the chairperson and Principal.
(as per School Bylaws Article X). The council has the right to limit the number of
presentations at any meeting.
At the council’s discretion, members of the school community may be allowed to
provide input and/or engage in debate on the matters before the council during a
meeting.
A quorum of 60% percent of members must be present at all School Council
meetings with the number of parents greater than the number of teaching and nonteaching staff combined.
Council Supports our School
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Spirituality / Liturgical Goals (includes Sacraments, Parish)
Volunteers – Coordinating teams
Communication – website highlights / Council Reports
Dance-a-thon (Fundraising)
Academic Goals as outlined in our School SIP
Safe Schools Goals
Fresh Fruit Fridays
Hand Hygiene Program
Pizza Day
Milk Program
Pancake Tuesday
Pasta Dinner / Raffle
Play Days (FDK and Grades 1-8)
School Council may establish or dissolve committees for specific or general purposes or events as
deemed necessary by the School Council.
Committee members will be appointed by the voting members of the school council and will liaise
with the principal.