School Council Engagement

How do we get parents interested in our School Council?  

More parents are attracted to School Council when the council is a body that supports families. Make your council a welcoming place that embraces positive relationships and collaboration with your school community. Draw parents to your council by focusing on why they may want to be involved:  helping students thrive. School Council planning should incorporate the two arms of your mandate (as defined in O. Reg. 612):  improving student achievement, and enhancing the accountability of the education system to parents. Evaluate the needs of your school using the School Improvement Plan (SIP) (PDF, 2.3 MB), staff & family input, your School Profile, and feedback from School Committees.

Research has shown that what parents and caregivers do at home is what impacts student achievement. Find out who your parents/caregivers are so you can choose meaningful council activities that support student success. Build parent capacity using communication methods and times that are appropriate to your community. Bring the parent/caregiver voice to school by representing parent knowledge on the required School Committees.

Supporting families and building trusting relationships within your WHOLE school community will lead to broader Parent/Caregiver Engagement.  Consider the information in this Inclusive Engagement workshop video for ideas on how to look beyond traditional ideas of family engagement for your School Council.

Incorporate some of these ideas into your School Council meeting schedule to build family capacity.

• Invite a teacher to speak at your School Council meeting about education initiatives being used in the classroom

• Invite your school Social Worker to speak about the Mental Health issues most commonly faced at your school

• Support families with Well-Being events (Mental Health workshop, nutrition demonstration, family Yoga Night)

• Host a meeting where the Principal unpacks the Student Census data for parents

• Help parents/caregivers understand school with targeted support events (family Math Night, School Improvement Planning session, Course Selection presentation)

• Organize a school community event (potluck dinner, karaoke night, family dance) that does not involve fundraising

• Use your Social Media platform to build relationships (multi-cultural Recipe Share)

• Ask the Principal to explain the school budget

• Invite your Public Health Nurse to present – a variety of free sessions

Watch this workshop video for an in-depth look at engaging parents/caregivers.

Connecting with parents/caregivers and recruiting new members can be a challenge for any School Council. Take every opportunity to let your families know what you’re doing to support student success.

• Meet and Greet tables at school events (concerts, open houses, parent-teacher interviews)

• Post on school bulletin boards and signs

• Send out email and phone messages on the school's automated messaging system

• Keep council information current on the school website

• Morning coffee or hot chocolate in the schoolyard (kindergarten yard, iWalk or Eco days, at the front doors for orientation days)

• Provide dinner and childminding for School Council meetings

• Develop a list of volunteer roles so parents know what to expect - from small commitments (providing baked goods, volunteering a half hour of time, one-time classroom duties) to larger roles (Council positions, consultations, school committees)

• Speak at school events (new parent orientations (kindergarten, Grade 9), Curriculum Night, school concerts)

• Build home-school relationships by including/inviting staff to participate in your community events

• Your Principal can apply to TDSB Continuing Education Dept. for parent workshop funds by contacting belkis.romero@tdsb.on.ca.