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

Your school council:

  • seeks input from your school community’s parents about matters it is considering
  • shares information and makes recommendations to your principal and school board
  • represents the school community and aims to support all students

When school councils consult parents

Your school council must consult parents with children going to the school about any matters it is considering, such as:

  • school council sponsored activities to help parents support their children’s learning
  • advice to the principal about school dress code

Your school council may choose to do this by:

  • sharing information with school families and the community
  • seeking their ideas and views

It may make recommendations to your school principal or school board based on the feedback it receives and in the best interest of all of the students in the school.

Ways to consult

Your school council can try these strategies — or come up with your own — to make it easy for everyone to share their input:

  • ask for input at public meetings (making sure school council and committee meetings are well publicized)
  • send surveys (online or paper)
  • hold town hall-style meetings on specific topics
  • host focus groups at different times
  • post updates and requests for feedback on the school website

Find more communication strategies to involve parents and families.

When principals and school boards consult school councils

Mandatory consultation by your principal and school board

Your principal and school board must ask your school council for advice before making decisions on certain topics. They must also explain how they used your council’s advice once they’ve made a decision.

They must consult your council when:

  • creating or making changes to policies and guidelines that affect student achievement and our school system’s accountability to parents
  • developing implementation plans for initiatives that result from these new or updated policies and guidelines

Policy and guideline topics include:

  • code of conduct
  • bullying prevention and intervention
  • suspensions and expulsions
  • student discipline
  • promoting safety
  • dress code
  • access to school premises

Your principal and school board must also consult you about:

Your school board will ask your council’s advice as it considers these topics, policies, guidelines and plans as they apply to all the schools they oversee.

Your principal will consult with you about them all as they apply at your school.

Mandatory consultation by your school board

Your school board must consult your school council on the following policies or guidelines:

  • allocating funding to school councils
  • fundraising activities of school council
  • resolving conflicts within school councils
  • paying back school council members for expenses

They must also consult your council about the criteria and process for selecting and placing principals and vice-principals.

Optional consultation

Your school board and your principal can also consult your school council on other topics. Your school council may make recommendations to your principal or school board on any matter. Your school board and principal must advise you of action taken in response.