In this guide

Parent(s) refers to parent(s) and/or guardian(s). A guardian is a person who has lawful custody of a child. Review other key terms in this guide.

Overview

Good communication builds trust and helps your school council:

  • work well together
  • connect with your school community, other school councils and your school board

Your council uses:

  • internal communication to stay in touch, share ideas, and plan meetings and activities
  • external communication to share updates, invite feedback and encourage parent and guardian involvement

Both are important for supporting your school council’s mandate.

Internal communication

The role of the chair/co-chairs

As a chair or co-chair, you're responsible for helping school council members stay connected and work well together. You can do this by:

  • creating and sharing a contact list for council members
  • encouraging members to ask questions and submit agenda items
  • preparing, updating and sharing meeting agendas

Working with your principal

You’re also the main contact between your council and your school principal. This is a key partnership. To support it, you may wish to:

  • build a strong working relationship with your principal
  • agree on how you’ll communicate outside council meetings (for example, email, text, phone or video chat, or a physical inbox at the school)
  • set a plan for handling urgent issues
  • check in regularly to stay aligned and support council goals

External communication

As part of its mandate, your school council needs to build connections and share information beyond the council.

Network with other school councils

Your school council can:

  • meet or connect by email or phone with other councils in your area or board
  • share ideas, learn what’s new and build a stronger voice together

Work with your school board

A good relationship with your school board is important.

Before contacting them:

  • start by asking your principal any questions about board policies or initiatives
  • check your board’s website for updates and resources

Your school council may invite trustees and/or board staff to meetings when needed.