In the spirit of the regulations regarding school councils, there are clear expectations that all partners be consulted:
- School boards and principals are to seek advice from their school councils and report how this advice has been considered.
- School councils are to seek input from the parents/guardians of the school community about matters under their consideration and to report back how council has acted on the input provided.
This table outlines the mandatory areas in which boards and principals are required to consult with school councils. There are many other optional areas where school council input may be sought by the board and/or school principal.
1. school year calendar
| Yes
| No
|
2. scheduling special school events
| No
| Yes
|
3. Board policies regarding field trips for students
| Yes
| No |
4. Absence Check policy and implementation plan
| Yes
| Yes
|
5. use of volunteers
| Yes
| Yes
|
| 6. student homework policies | Yes
|
Yes |
7. school closures
| Yes
| No
|
8. review of school boundaries
| Yes
| No
|
9. capital improvement plans for schools
| Yes
| Yes
|
10. school /classroom organization
| No
| Yes
|
11. school budget priorities
| No
| Yes
|
12. naming of new schools
| Yes
| No
|
13. other topics specific to the school
| No
| Yes
|
Policies under development and /or review
| | |
1. all initiatives that relate to the improvement of student achievement or enhance the accountablity of the system to parents/guardians
| Yes
| Yes
|
2. code of student conduct
| Yes
| Yes
|
3. appropriate dress policy
| Yes
| Yes
|
4. fund-raising activities by school council
| Yes
|
No
|
Planning
|
|
|
1. Board and school improvement plans for improvement based on reports of EQAO test results and other relevant data
| Yes
| Yes
|
2. development of communication plans regarding the Board's and school's improvement plans
| Yes
| Yes |
3. the criteria and process for the selection and placement of school administrators: known as the Principal File
| Yes
| No
|
Implementation Plans:
|
|
|
1. any new education initiatives at Board/school level
| Yes
| Yes
|
2. annual review of the Board /school code of conduct
| Yes
| Yes
|
3. development and sharing of a plan for providing co-instructional activities
| Yes
| Yes
|