A-08 Parent Involvement Committee

The purpose of the Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) is to support, encourage and enhance the engagement of parents/guardians and caregivers of the District School Board of Niagara in their children’s education, and to improve student achievement and well-being. PIC is a Board-level advisory body that provides feedback between parents and the Board of Trustees and senior management. The PIC is mandated by the Ministry of Education.

The mandate of PIC is to:

• Support, encourage and enhance meaningful parent engagement at the board level to improve student achievement and well-being
• Provide information and advice to the Board on parent engagement in alignment with DSBN values and the Strategic Plan
• Communicate with and support School Councils with effective practices
• Undertake activities to help parents support children’s learning and well-being
• Foster equity, inclusion and human rights for all students and work towards removing barriers to engagement
• Act as a liaison and share information from the Ministry of Education to parents/guardians

PIC is to be made up of a maximum of 24 individuals. PIC is to be comprised of a majority of parents/guardians through a self-nomination process. The Director of Education, Trustees, school administrators and community representatives may also comprise part of the membership. Applications for PIC are reviewed by the committee and members are appointed by the Superintendent responsible for the committee. They are chosen based on their involvement in working with school communities and school councils and whose values align with the DSBN Strategic Plan.

PIC membership will represent the diversity of the Niagara Region:

• 12 spots will be reserved to represent a parent/guardian from each of the municipalities of Niagara
• The remaining membership of the committee should strive to have representation from:
• parents whose students go to both the elementary and secondary panels
• Racial, cultural and gender diversity representing the DSBN
• A maximum of two community representatives
• Representation will also include:
• Director of Education or Superintendent delegate
• One elementary principal or vice-principal
• One secondary principal or vice-principal
• A maximum of two trustees

Parent members serve a two-year term. Each parent member must be a parent/guardian of a current student enrolled in a DSBN school.

PIC will be chaired by one person or by two co-chairs. The Chair(s) position is a two-year term and is elected by the committee.

PIC must meet a minimum of four times per year. Meetings are open to the public. PIC may also establish working groups or ad hoc committees to carry out the work of the PIC. This could include parent conferences and supporting local school councils.

The PIC committee shall establish and update bylaws which are consistent with the Education Act, Regulations and applicable DSBN policies.