New School Council Chair Orientation Session

September 11, 2012St. Francis High School

7:00 – 9:00 pm

Superintendent Diduch: We gather together in the peace of Christ

All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

O God, who calls us into discipleship and remains with us always, grant us your abundant grace that rooted and strengthened in faith, we may bear fruit that will last. Open the eyes of our hearts that we may know the depth of your love for us and may love one another as we have been so generously loved by you.

As we fulfill our leadership roles in our communities, grand us wisdom that we may know when to call upon the help of others, strength that we may respond generously to the needs of others, and patience that we may be open to questions and diverse opinions. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Gathering Prayer

The School Council Chair is the liaison between their school community and their Trustee.

The Very Important Role of the School Council Chair

Trustees are elected by the public to oversee the work of the district.

“Trustee” comes from the word “trust”. ..the public have placed their trust in the Board of Trustees to ensure that the District is carrying out Alberta Education mandates with respect to the operation of the district and schools in their care.

Trustees respond and consult with parents and want to hear from them on a regular basis.

School Council Chairs and Trustee General Meeting, Parent and Trustee Forums, Help Plan Our Future meetings and specially called meetings (refer page H.4) or on our district website at: http://www.cssd.ab.ca/default.asp?V_ITEM_ID=192

Board of Trustees

Calgary Catholic School District 2012-2013 Board of Trustees

Mary Martin, Chair, Wards 13 & 14

Margaret Belcourt, Vice Chair, Wards 4 & 7

Serafino Scarpino, Wards 1, 2, and Cochrane

Linda Wellman, Wards 3, 5, & Airdrie

Lois Burke-Gaffney, Wards 6 & 8

Rosemarie Goerlitz, Wards 9, 10 & Chestermere

Cathie Williams, Wards 11 & 12

Trustees schedule regular meetings to meet with School Councils for input, feedback and keeping trustees appraised of the needs of their communities

All information received by a SC Chair needs to be shared at SC meetings.

Any feedback or input from parents, on a any given topic, is forwarded to Trustees (through the SC liaison to the Board – Superintendent Diduch).

School Councils prepare a Year-End Report that is forwarded to the Board of Trustees by September 30 of each year. In Calgary Catholic, this report is forwarded to the liaison to the Board.

School Council Chair and Board of Trustees

School Councils are collective associations of parents, teachers, secondary students, principals, staff and community representative who work together to effectively support and enhance student learning. They provide one means for members of the school community to provide advice and consult with the principal and advise the board…. (School Councils in Alberta, page ii) (CSSD School Council Handbook D.1)

Who is School Council?

Advise the principal Facilitate with building community looking to include

all voices Understand local, district and provincial agendas,

mandates and concerns and share with school community

Promote parental involvement in the education of their children

Facilitate consultation with parents, seek input and share outcomes with trustees

Engage in consultation with trustees (General Meeting, Forums) and share outcomes with school councils

Role of School Council Chair

SC work is governed by the ◦School Act (RSA 2000, Chapter S-3)◦Alberta Regulation 113/2007, and ◦CSSD mandate: SC handbook

Resource links (next slide) ◦Refer Section K: Appendix A

Refer page D.2 SC Handbook

School Council Mandate

School Act (RSA 2000, Chapter S-3) http://www.qp.alberta.ca/574.cfm?page=s03.cfm&leg_type=Acts&isbncln=9780779733941

Alberta Education:◦ School Councils Regulation

http://www.qp.alberta.ca/documents/Regs/2007_113.pdf ◦ Alberta School Council Resource Manual, revised 2007.

http://education.alberta.ca/media/464094/scm.pdf◦ Guide to Education, September 2011, Regulations, page 13-14

School Councils Regulation, AR 113/2007, School Act, Section 22 http://education.alberta.ca/media/832568/guidetoed.pdf

CSSD mandate:◦ School Council Handbook, www.cssd.ab.ca under Parent

Centre / School Councils or http://www.cssd.ab.ca/default.asp?V_ITEM_ID=192

ASCA (Alberta School Councils’ Association)http://www.albertaschoolcouncils.ca/

School Council Mandate (cont’d.)

School councils advise the principal The key to an advisory role is a collaborative

relationship the results in work that benefits students Important for SC chairs to know the School Act on

School Councils, Alberta Education School Council Regulation and information in the District SC Handbook (Sept. 2009 edition) to run effective meetings and know how to direct parents when request(s) come forward.

Important for SC chairs to embrace the full scope of their positions including advisory to their principal, district and government levels.

Remember: Parents look to SC chairs for leadership.

School Councils as Advisory to the Principal

Communication is key – principal and SC chair, executive and school council body come to understand school priorities and work together to support success of intended outcomes (School Three Year Plans).

Important to understand how the school and district operate and communicate these processes to parents.

School Councils as Advisory to the Principal (cont’d)

School Council Handbook, D.2. Principal and SCC/executive consult on

setting meeting dates and agenda items. Build consensus before SC meeting.

Principal has final responsibility for all school operations, committees and budget decisions.

Executive Positions and Roles

In Alberta, SCs are governed by the School Act and Regulations.

Important to establish a process to meet and finalize agenda items.

Agreement needs to be reached before agenda brought to members at large.

Speaking with one voice strengthens a school community and is best for enhancing positive climate and culture.

SC initiatives need to reflect the School Three Year Plan.

School Council Meeting Agenda

15

Communication Protocol

INDIVIDUAL TRUSTEE

SCHOOL STAFF MEMBER

PARENT SCHOOL COUNCIL

AREA SUPERINTENDENT

PRINCIPAL

TEACHER

CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011

Principal has all and final responsibility for

all school operations including schools

councils, fundraising and the collection and

disbursement of funds

Fundraising is the end result of

conversations about the School 3 Year Plan

and program needs within the school

Fiscal Responsibility

When the best happens, Educational Societies work to support the work of the SC and the School Three Year Plan.

Under the School Act, SCs are the only legal body that has an advisory role (to the principal and the Board when requested) within a school community.

Refer to Section I: Fundraising for information on Educational Societies.

Educational Societies

All questions are relevant and important. If your question was not answered in the

course of this meeting, using the Feedback Sheet, please provide your name, school and e-mail address with your question(s) and leave on the table when leaving. Alternately, please fax your questions(s) to Luba Diduch at (403) 500-2919 or e-mail at luba.diduch@cssd.ab.ca

Questions

Gary Strother, Chief Superintendent Michael Barbero, Superintendent, Area A Schools Luba Diduch, Superintendent, Area B Schools Judy MacKay, Superintendent, Area C Schools Michael Ross, Superintendent, Area D Schools Dr. Andra McGinn, Superintendent, Specialized

Program Schools/Instruction/Religious Education

John Deausy, Superintendent, Finance & Business/Secretary Treasurer

Mark Rawlek, Superintendent, Support Services Craig Foley, Superintendent, Human Resources

Calgary Catholic School DistrictSenior Administration

For stepping up to the leadership position.

For working in an advisory role to the principal in working together for creating the best possible learning opportunities for all students in your schools.

Thank You!!!

All:In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Good and gracious God, your love for us is beyond measure and reaches into all areas of our lives. Continue to bless us with your love and form us as leaders that we may respond to your great gift of love by extending to others the dignity, respect and compassion you have made known to each of us.  Bless all members of the school communities in which we serve and help them to grow in love for one another. May all who enter into our schools experience the joy of learning and the warmth of friendship.  Bless our families and help us to lead and guide our children by word and example that they may come to know the joy of life with you. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.  

Closing Prayer