As a DSBN school council member and volunteer, your participation makes a difference in the lives of our children every day.
Thank You!
You help your council discover new and diverse ways to contribute to the education of students in your school. Education is a partnership involving parents, students, teachers, principals, school boards, government, and the community. Your involvement in the council gives you the opportunity to strengthen that partnership, and to be part of a dedicated team working to ensure a high quality of education and an accountable education system for the children of Ontario.
What is a School Council?
The school council is a key advisory body to its school and provides a way for parents to take an active part in:
- improving student achievement
- increasing education system accountability to parents
Your participation can make a difference.
As a school council member, you can connect with parents, school staff and the school community. You are part of a team that improves the student experience and supports high-quality education at your school.
Both the Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) and school council encourage parent involvement in support of student achievement and well-being. While PIC provides advice at the board level, school councils mainly provide advice at the school level.
Learn more about PIC at DSBN here.
Attend a school council meeting
School councils meet at least 4 times a year.
Everyone is welcome to attend school council meetings and learn about their work. Contact your school office to learn more.
Membership
Parents lead school councils and most members are parents.
Other members include:
- the school principal
- school staff representatives
- community members
- students (in some cases)
How to join your school council
If your child attends a school, you can run for its school council at the start of each new school year.
Parent member elections take place within the first 30 days of each school year. The date is set by the school council chair/co-chairs in consultation with the principal.
Elections can be in person, online, by telephone or through a combination of methods to help make sure they are accessible and fair.
Helpful Resources
Click here to read the Ministry of Education’s Guide for Members.
You will find ideas and examples that your school council can adapt to meet its needs. The guide also has sample forms, checklists and reports.
Click here to read the Ministry of Education’s Parent Guide to our School System
Along with helpful information to help you support your child’s success and make informed decisions about their education, this Guide includes a section devoted to giving feedback and getting involved.