Parent Councils

[Shenjall]

Any other mama's on them?

What exactly is the role/purpose of parent councils? Why do you join them? What does your do for your childs school?

I'm on my second p/c. I'm starting to wonder, "why?".

[collegechick]

We have a School Community Council and a Parent Council. Parent Council is in charge of all the fundraising activities and works with the school to fund things. School Community Council is given a budget from the school division and funds and runs activities.

[ollyoxenfree]

Our parent council activities/discussion topics have included:

- school/classroom organization (split classes, class sizes, entry/dismissal times etc.)
- curriculum input
- school community issues (program changes, bussing issues, parent input on new school board initiatives etc.)
- school health and safety issues (allergy policies, playground safety, bullying, lunch programs, soft drink vending machines)
- fundraising

I joined to have a voice and to be an active participant in the school community. At times, it's been a very frustrating experience. Almost always, the frustration has been due to other parents' attitudes or actions.

I think it is possible to be an active school community member without sitting on council, though. If you are asking yourself "why" and not finding good reasons, I'd consider whether you can make a contribution in other ways.

[Shenjall]

Wow, I'm surprised to hear that your councils have that much input. Ours does not. It seems we are there to raise money to hand over without a say. Hmmm.

I'm wanting to change it around, make it more child/parent centered as opposed to school admin centered. Not sure how to go about that though...

Wish me luck!

[ollyoxenfree]

I hope I wasn't too misleading. At times, the school admin. "consultation" with parents via council has really been an "information" session - basically, a here's-what's-going-to-happen notice. We gave our input on new ideas and initiatives. Sometimes it made a difference, sometimes it didn't. I always figured that the opportunity to give the input was at least a step in the right direction, since the school at least had to consider whether their decisions had a rational basis.

Some things were definitely initiated by the parents. In some ways, they were the most important. I can cope with a change in entry and dismissal times, if I have to. But consistent allergy policies, a new anti-bullying program, getting pop out of the vending machines - those things make a real difference to the well-being of the children at the school. They were all things that came about because of concerned parents, and having the structure of the council to support them helped.

[Shenjall]

Oh, okay! That makes sense.

I feel our admin hears us, when it only benefits them, yk?

[ollyoxenfree]

Originally Posted by Shenjall

Oh, okay! That makes sense.

I feel our admin hears us, when it only benefits them, yk?

Oh, yeah, I know what you mean .

It's very hard to change an organization's culture. If the school isn't used to involved parents, you may have a tough road ahead. It helps if the admin. understands how an involved parent group can make the school a better community for everyone.

At one school my kids attended, the parents were a force of nature. Impossible to ignore. Vocal, politically astute, good connections with the school board, in government, and the media. The principal realized it was better to work with rather than try to work against.

At another school, enrolment was declining badly as parents pulled their kids to attend new special programs elsewhere. The admin. realized that they needed to make the school attractive to boost enrolment (or at least maintain) or risk being placed on a list for potential closure.

Good luck finding what works to develop a new culture at your school.