LETTER: Consider joining school council, reader urges

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As September draws closer, many parents and guardians find themselves with the all too familiar “Back to School To-Do List”. While these lists may be filled with the familiar items of “Buy Pencils” and “Organize Backpacks,” this year I encourage you to add “Join School Council” to your list.

School council is an important group of community members, school staff and parents who gather regularly to discuss important issues in our local schools while providing invaluable volunteer hours fundraising, event planning and advocating for systemic change within the school board. It is often an overlooked and unappreciated part of our school system but offers an opportunity to spark positive change in our schools and larger community.

In recent years, school councils have struggled to recruit and sustain new and vibrant members, as parents understandably juggle the responsibilities of adulthood and prioritize social obligations, extra curricular activities and community events. Many school councils are in a distressing state, broken from volunteer burnout and boredom as parents feel their voices and concerns go on deaf ears and that a school council is merely a means to an administrative end.

But the opportunity exists for councils to do more to inform, educate and recruit new members while making a meaningful difference in schools and the education system. Simple and meaningful initiatives like childcare, sub-committees, social-media polls and hybrid meetings can go a long way to making an inclusive environment where parents can participate regardless of their work or home schedule. School councils typically meet for the first time during the month of September and voting members are chosen during this first meeting. Only voting members have a “vote” for important decisions like money allocation for school supports, technology, playgrounds, food security programs and more. But parents or guardians who may not be able to commit to regularly attend meetings are still a vital part of the council and can offer advice, volunteer time and create connections that can impact the school community in meaningful and significant ways.

Research continues to reinforce that parent involvement in a child’s education improves their child’s academic performance. By having a more diverse and accommodating school council that caters to the lifestyle of more parents, we can positively affect the academic performance of more students while working together to create a more understanding, inclusive and safe school system.

Besides, school council can be fun! Mocktail meetings, potlucks and a kid-free hour can be a welcomed break for many parents or guardians that can gather with like-minded individuals to discuss solutions for issues parents care about today and learn about the school in a relaxed environment that welcomes discussion, debate and learning. I know adding more to our “to-do lists” can seem burdensome, but this is one item that is worth the time and effort. Contact your local school to learn when your school council is meeting this September.

Dana Stott
Innisfil