1. SCHOOL COUNCIL WELCOME TO PARENTS SEPTEMBER 2015

2. * Parents play a vital role in education. When parents are engaged and involved, everyone – students, parents and families, teachers, schools and communities – benefits, and our schools become increasingly rich and positive places to teach, learn and grow.

4. http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/parents/involvement/pe_policy2010.pdf

5. Regulation 612/00 states: * (2. (1) The purpose of school councils is, through the active participation of parents, to improve pupil achievement and to enhance the accountability of the education system to parents. O. Reg. 612/00, s. 2 (1).2. (1) * (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. O. Reg. 612/00, s. 2 (2). (2)

6. * A School Council’s job is building the capacity of parents to support our children as they move forward in life so they are successful in and beyond school. * Teachers get yearly Professional Development – parents don’t. * All parents are CAPABLE of helping their children succeed to their ability at school, we may simply not have the capacity – School Councils enable parents to gain that capacity.

7. How parents can get involved Election Committee – to organize elections Outreach and Learning Committee – to plan outreach and learning for parents & teachers Welcome & Communications Committee – to create welcome packet for parents & make parents feel welcome and to ensure two-way communication with all parents and the school council Volunteer Committee – to identify, encourage and coordinate volunteers Budget and Funding Committee – to set and manage the budget for the year’s activities and to raise the funds required (by fundraising or grant) required for budgeted activities. Gifted Advisory Committee – to address issues specific to Gifted Program Deaf & Hard of Hearing Committee – to address issues specific to DHH program Core/LD Committee – to address issues specific to LD program. Caring and Safe Schools Committee – to provide parent input into this required school committee Budget and Funding Parents Each Committee must contain one School Council Parent Member. ALL members of a committee may vote. Outreach and Learning Welcome & Communi- cations Election Core/LD School Council (19) 19 votes School Council (19) 19 votes Gifted Advisory Deaf & HoH Caring and Safe Schools Parents who attend school events & activities Parents who attend school events & activities Volunteer Non-Teaching Staff (1) 1 vote Non-Teaching Staff (1) 1 vote Community (1) 1 vote Community (1) 1 vote Principal (1) no vote allowed Principal (1) no vote allowed Teaching Staff (1) 1 vote Teaching Staff (1) 1 vote Students (1) 1 vote Students (1) 1 vote Parent Volunteers

8. All parents are always welcome (and encouraged!) to come to School Council meetings. There are MANY ways to get involved, we welcome you to become actively engaged with Northern Secondary School! How would you like to show your child that their school matters to you and you want to be involved? Email: sc.northernsecondaryschool@tdsb.on.ca