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. 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. 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. Catholic school councils ensure the shared responsibility and collaborative undertaking of the Catholic education of our children by parents, schools, parish and community.

Governance Education Act – Ontario Regulation 612/00 Education Act – Ontario Regulation 612/00 Board Bylaws – Policy I-23 Board Bylaws – Policy I-23 HCDSB Operations Manual: School Councils Strengthening Our Partnerships. HCDSB Operations Manual: School Councils Strengthening Our Partnerships. School Bylaws School Bylaws HCDSB – Code of Ethics * HCDSB – Code of Ethics *

ARTICLE VIII Council Member Code of Ethics A member shall consider the interests of all students 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 promote high standards of ethical practice within the school community. A member shall declare any conflict of interest. A member shall declare any conflict of interest. A member shall not accept any payment or benefit financially through School Council involvement. 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 Actively seek the views of the school community. Actively seek the views of the school community. Actively represent the views of the school community and become as influential as possible. Actively represent the views of the school community and become as influential as possible. Inform the school community Inform the school community Involve the school community Involve the school community Work within the policies of the HCSDB Work within the policies of the HCSDB Become well-informed Become well-informed Focus on the best interests of all students. Focus on the best interests of all students. Maintain high ethical standards. 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. 1.Council Chair shall… Call school council meetings Call school council meetings Prepare the agenda Prepare the agenda Chair meetings Chair meetings Ensure minutes are recorded and maintained Ensure minutes are recorded and maintained Participate in information and training programs Participate in information and training programs Communicate with the principal Communicate with the principal Ensure that there are regular communications with the school community Ensure that there are regular communications with the school community Consult with senior board staff and trustees, as required. Consult with senior board staff and trustees, as required. 2.Council Members shall… Participate in council meetings Participate in council meetings Participate in information and training programs Participate in information and training programs Encourage the participation of parents from all groups and of other people within the school community 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 Act as a link between the school council and the community Attend meetings regularly Attend meetings regularly Support and promote the decisions reached by council Support and promote the decisions reached by council Be of good will working for the common good of the school community. Be of good will working for the common good of the school community.

Meetings Shall be a minimum of four (4) meetings per school year (as per School Bylaws). Shall be a minimum of four (4) meetings per school year (as per School Bylaws). Meetings usually run one and one-half hours. 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.) 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. 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. 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 non- teaching staff combined. 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 non- teaching staff combined.

Council Supports our School 1. Spirituality / Liturgical Goals (includes Sacraments, Parish) 2. Volunteers – Coordinating teams 3. Communication – website highlights / Council Reports 4. Dance-a-thon (Fundraising) 5. Academic Goals as outlined in our School SIP 6. Safe Schools Goals 7. Fresh Fruit Fridays 8. Hand Hygiene Program 9. Pizza Day 10. Milk Program 11. Pancake Tuesday 12. Pasta Dinner / Raffle 13. 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. 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. Committee members will be appointed by the voting members of the school council and will liaise with the principal.