Get Engaged in Your Child's Education
Parents are important partners in their child’s learning. Students with engaged parents generally do better at school and are more motivated. Engaging in your child’s education can be as simple as reading to your child every day, or you can go a step further and become involved with a school council or the P.E.I. Home and School Federation.
How do I get involved with a school council?
School councils help guide school administration on matters related to school life. If your school does not already have a school council, the school’s principal will call a meeting of parents by October 15th of the school year. At that meeting, parent representatives on the school council are elected, and plans are made for the election of teacher and student members.
Membership on a school council must include:
- at least three (3) parents who have children at the school;
- one (1) or more teachers from the school;
- the principal of the school; and
- a student from the school, at the discretion of the school council.
The purpose of a school council is to:
- improve learning opportunities and protect the interests of all students at the school;
- provide communication between the school and community, and ensure parents know about school programs, activities, and issues;
- contribute to the school development plan, if required by the school board; and
- advise on the selection of the school principal, at the request of the school board.
A school council advises school administration on matters like:
- scheduling, such as opening and closing hours, noon hour policies, and the timing of exams;
- extracurricular activities such as field trips, winter carnival, and school dances;
- student discipline and behaviour management approaches;
- community access to school facilities;
- school-based social, health, and nutrition services;
- parent-school communications and parental access to information on their children; and
- matters that significantly impact school life, families’ financial resources, or students’ quality of life.
What are my responsibilities on a school council?
Parent, student, and teacher terms are one (1) year, with the option to be re-appointed or reelected for two (2) additional terms. There are three (3) main roles for members on a school council:
- facilitates meetings
- communicates with the principal
- resolves conflicts
- organizes meeting agendas with the school principal
- communicate with parents, students, and teachers
- work as a team
- organize the schedule of events for the council
- encourage parents to get involved and support education
- establishes the school council
- consults with the council on matters related to its functions
- communicates with staff, students, council, and school board
- provides educational leadership
How do I get involved with the P.E.I. Home and School Federation?
The P.E.I. Home and School Federation provides support and coordination to local school councils and home and school associations in English Language School Board schools. La Fédération des parents de l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard provides the same support for schools in la Commission scolaire de langue française. You can get involved by contacting your local home and school association or school council chair, or by contacting the provincial offices of the Home and School Federation or la Fédération des parents de l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard directly.