Mary Hopkins School Council

1. Mary Hopkins School Council 2009-2010 Mary Hopkins School Council

2. Thank youfor being involved in Mary Hopkins School Council Mary Hopkins School Council

3. Today’s Agenda • Introductions • Personal Goals for being on council • Role of School Councils • What to Expect this Year • Our mission/vision/goals • Current Situation • Principal’s Report • EQAO • School Improvement Plan (SIP) • PAC update, • Fundraising • Spending plan • Areas of Focus • Revisit Goals and timelines • Next Meeting (October 28) Mary Hopkins School Council

4. Our Council • Kate Bergsma – Chair (Parent) • Sophie Boers – PAC (Parent) • Jennifer Brophy – PAC (Parent) • Marianne Brown – Member (Parent) regrets • Katie Carr – Principal • Mark Gillis – Member (Parent) • Jeff and Kim Kleven – Members (Parents) • Marcus Logan – Treasurer (Parent) regrets • Kathy Harasyn – Community • Jen Partington – Member (Parent) • Danielle Perkins – Secretary (Parent) regrets • Karen Schattauer - Member (Parent) • Tracy Stewart – Member (Parent) • Suzanne Weatherdon – Teacher • Mrs. Hunter - Staff non-teacher - regrets Mary Hopkins School Council

5. Approach • Focus on dreams today, not barriers • Solutions based • All questions are good questions • Be creative, new things, different approaches • Always consider the best interest of the students • Maintain highest standards of integrity and respect Mary Hopkins School Council

6. Role of School Councils(Straight from the Guidebook) • School councils have a legislated role … are there to ensure the best possible education for students. • Our school councils are comprised of democratically elected representatives of our parent community. Together, they: • focus on student learning and the best interest of all students, • provide a forum through which parents and other members of school communities can contribute to improving student achievement and school performance, • make recommendations to the school principal and the Board on any matter they see impacting accountability and academic excellence and; • serve as a communication and information channel between the school and community Mary Hopkins School Council

7. Because parental involvement is so important, school councils need to break down any barriers between the home and school and make the school a warm, receptive place for parents. School Councils: A guide for members School Councils… Improve student achievement Enhance accountability Keep informed of school and school board information and initiatives Seek input from parents – a forum Give information to parents and community Provide advice to School Boards and Principals Serve a one-year term In other words… Mary Hopkins School Council

8. Areas of Consultation • School Councils may advise the principal or the school board on: • school year calendars; • codes of student behaviour; • curriculum priorities; • programs and strategies to improve school performance on provincial and school boards tests; • safe arrival programs (elementary schools); • communications to parents and communications to the community; • community use of the school, and community programs and services provided at the school through school-community partnerships; • school board policies that will affect the school; and • selection of principals. Mary Hopkins School Council

9. Education Quality and Accountability Office (Province-wide testing) Mary Hopkins School Council

10. Mary Hopkins School Council

11. What to Expect this Year • Blips of concentrated busy-ness • Work closely with the PAC (Parent Activity Committee) • Training Opportunities from the Board • New understanding of school system • New opportunities and challenges from the Board • The Unexpected • E.g. school openings and closures, new teachers, new resources, etc. Mary Hopkins School Council

12. What we are: Mary Hopkins School Council • What we are NOT • Mission, goals • Define our fundamental purpose • Principles by which we operate • Values • Ends, effects, and outcomes Mary Hopkins School Council

13. Current Situation • How have our kids performed on province-wide tests? • What are top educational issues in Ontario today • Solid Foundations in literacy and numeracy – reaching provincial standards • Boys literacy • Declining enrolment • Increasing population in small/new areas • Modernizing existing schools • What are the top issues for our school Mary Hopkins School Council

14. Principal’s Report Mary Hopkins School Council

15. PAC Update Mary Hopkins School Council

16. Areas of Focus • Governance • Regulations, Elections, By-laws, Voting etc. • Knowing section 3 of Guide Book • Communication • Developing Communication Plan • School Council • Teachers/School/Parents? • Fundraising and Budgets • Understand the current school budget priorities • Help identify short falls • Set priorities, goals and Plan/Campaign • School Board Expert • Staying informed about School Board activities Mary Hopkins School Council

17. Future Meetings • School Library, 7:00pm • Wed Oct 28 • Wed Nov 25 • Wed Dec 16 • Wed Jan 27 • Wed Feb 24 • Wed Mar 31 • Wed Apr 28 • Wed May 26 • Wed June 16 Mary Hopkins School Council

18. Thank youfor being involved in Mary Hopkins School Council Mary Hopkins School Council