Parent School Council
Information from the Edmonton Catholic District "Walking Together St. Basil SAC Feb 9, 2021"
School Council
In Accordance with the Alberta School Council Association (ASCA), a School Council is a crucial forum to collaboratively discuss school improvement planning. The definitions provided herein are derived from and can be found here: https://www.albertaschoolcouncils.ca/
A school council is a vehicle to support meaningful parental involvement in decisions that affect the school and its operations. School council provides the venue for parents to reflect the wishes of the broader community for the education of its students and to actively participate in giving advice and support to the principal in the operations of the school.
The actual decision-making authority of the school council is limited to:
• determining the school council operating procedures
• setting policies to govern school council activities at the school level, as described in the Education Act
• planning engagement activities that align with school council’s legislated purpose
• choosing to provide advice to the principal and school board
Core Activities
• Advises the principal and board on educational issues that pertain to the school.
• Establishes and reviews school council’s goals, objectives, action plans and procedures.
• Communicates and consults with parents and the school community.
• Meets regularly.
What School Councils are Not
As the primary role is advisory, school councils are not eligible to incorporate as societies. It is not the primary intent of school councils to fundraise or lobby.
Roles that are not to be taken on by a school council include:
• school governance
• employment issues
• school management
• listening to complaints
Our School
St. Basil School has a school council for it’s Św. Jan Paweł II Polish Bilingual Program and The Jean Forest All Girls Leadership Academy
1. a Św. Jan Paweł II Polish Bilingual Program School Council
2. a Św. Jan Paweł II Polish Bilingual Program Fundraising Society
&
1. The Jean Forest All Girls Leadership Academy School Council
2. The Jean Forest All Girls Leadership Academy Fundraising Society
The School Council collaborates with all those who have a vested interest in the school’s programming and policies, and they provide advice and consultation to the principal and board of trustees on educational issues. Parental involvement is crucial to help enhance and improve programming if necessary.
The School Council is a structured group of parents, principals, teachers, and community representatives whose purpose is to advise the principal and the school board regarding matters pertaining to the school.
Parent members of the School council can also be members of:
The Fundraising Societies
The Fundraising Society is the fundraising extension of the School Council. This is a group whose objectives are to work together with the principal to help raise, disperse and allocate funding towards projects, initiatives, programs and culturally enhanced educational experiences.
In accordance with the School Act, a separate body from the school council is necessary to apply for licensing from the Solicitor General in order to raise money through fundraising events. This can be proceeds from school bake sales, bottle drives, or charitable gaming revenue from activities such as casinos, raffles, bingo and pull ticket events. Our Fundraising Society is able to use such proceeds for the advancement of Education when abiding by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) Policies and regulations.
St. Basil School Św. Jan Paweł II Polish Bilingual Program School Council
Principal: K. Pyra
Assistant Principal and Teacher: M. Beringer
Chair-Person: P. Stefanczyk
Chair-Person: N. Mah
Secretary: E. Ziomko
Św. Jan Pawel II Polish Bilingual Program Fundraising Society
President: P. Stefanczyk
Vice-President: N. Mah
Secretary: E. Ziomko
Treasurer: P. Martyniak
Directors at Large: A. Sejnowski
Jean Forest Leadership Academy
Chair : P. Anareta
Treasurer: M. deJong
Secretary: J. Schlender
Vice Chair: P. Anareta
Casino Coordintator:
Member at Large:
The foundational premise of our school’s council is collaboration, which can be achieved through communication and relationship building. We all have a common vested interest, and that is enhancing the educational experiences of the children at St. Basil School and it’s Programs.
There are a number of ways and levels through which you can be included and involved to help enhance our children’s educational experiences. The school council is your connection to a more informed relationship on your child’s intellectual growth. Regardless of your role or level of involvement, everyone has a moral obligation and responsibility to create a culture of respect.
Communication + Collaboration + Respect = Positive and Successful Learning Experiences
Your involvement is valued and crucial in ensuring programming improvements are made. Your suggestions and ideas and important feedback as well as what is utilized to collaborate with the administration and the school board to help enhance student learning.
Your options to be part of the school community are based on the extent of time and efforts you can afford to commit. No matter how big, no matter how small, each comment and idea contribution is valuable and can be the start of something so much bigger. Collaborative efforts can spark innovation, inspire creative problem solving and foster lateral thinking and all this can do wonders for school planning and improvement, create opportunities for school projects, programs and events, and so much more.
The School council is your voice in bringing forward ideas to enhance our students’ educational experiences at St. Basil School. The more creative our pool of ideas and feedback on need, the more we are able to utilize as options available to our children’s growth through education.
If you have ideas and are willing to share them, we would be honoured to hear from you. Please reach out to any of our members in person, by calling the school or emailing us (eg. The principal, assistant principal, or any of the Św. Jan Paweł II Program and Fundraising Society members). We look forward to working with you.
Here are some of the current School council involvement projects for programs, fundraisers, extracurricular activities, and events our school council has collaborated on:
Casino Fundraiser 2019
Community Consultation regarding proposed school closure
Tłusty Czwartek and Shrove Tuesday
Święty Mikołaj/Saint Nicholas
Polish movie night
Szopki/Nativity Scene competition
Senior Christmas Card Cheer
Św. Jan Paweł II Program student T-shirt gifts
Our upcoming projects plans for 2021:
School Open House
Library resource renewal
Polish textbook resource renewal
Joy Workshop for Teaching faculty
Women’s Day
Easter Egg Decorating
May 3rd Polish Constitution Day
International Children’s Day
Pani Sawa Day