The District School Board of Niagara (DSBN) is committed to encouraging a partnership with parents/guardians that will enhance the education of our students and foster increased sharing of information between schools and the community about the programs being offered in our schools. In order to facilitate these partnerships, a school(s) shall establish and maintain a School Council.
The role of the School Council is advisory in nature, focussed on forging parent/guardian/community alliances to enhance the input provided to the school on issues, thereby allowing the school to respond to its community. The Council has a major role in establishing partnerships with parents/guardians and the community for the improvement of student learning. The role of School Councils is intended to be meaningful and relevant to the local school community, developed through local consultation, and consistent with the Education Act and Regulations 612/00 and the constitution and by-laws of the Council. Members of the Council are encouraged to regularly participate in meetings and in activities within the school community. A person shall not receive any remuneration for serving as a member or officer of a School Council.
The DSBN has established the Parent Involvement Committee to offer support (including some assistance with expenses) to School Councils, to co-ordinate the work of School Councils and to facilitate additional communication between Councils and the DSBN.
The DSBN believes that all parents should have equal access to contribute to School Councils and the Parent Involvement Committee and every effort should be made to remove any barriers for parents to participate.