Helping new school council members get started
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.
Your school council can help new members by giving them useful information and a warm welcome.
Make an orientation package
You can include:
- our school council guide
- our regulations explaining the roles of school councils, school boards and principals
- A parent guide to our education system
- information about your school, school board and the Ministry of Education
- your school board’s policies and resources for school councils
- your school profile
- your school council’s bylaws, including:
- how elections and vacancies are handled
- rules about conflict of interest and conflict resolution
- any operating rules or code of ethics
Use your first meeting to welcome and inform
These meetings are a good time to:
- welcome new members and introduce everyone
- explain how our education system works
- describe how school councils fit into it
- talk about your council’s past goals and priorities
- review what committees have done
- elect a chair or co-chairs and other officers, based on your bylaws
- set dates for future meetings
Once your council has elected a chair or co-chairs, you can set goals and priorities for the year ahead that support your purpose and mandate.
Updated: November 10, 2025
Published: November 10, 2025