Oakwood’s school Council is composed of parents, a staff representative and the school principal. We usually have 10- 12 meetings each school year; 5- 6 with a broad theme plus Oakwood reports/discussion and then 5-6 school council executive meetings. All parents are invited to attend all meetings.
The school board dictates that each school must have a Council and that Council must be consulted on certain issues affecting the school, including:
“Teen Risk Factors” with the school psychologist, social worker and a representative from the Centre for Addiction & Mental Health
Council was supportive of the administration’s new initiatives such as the commencement of Professional Learning Communities (small group meetings of staff to address cross-curriculum school issues); the designation of a Fine Arts certificate to eligible students; the start of a breakfast programme and, all efforts to attract engaged, creative students to the school.
Key issues for the Council were student achievement in math, the potential for the pool
closing; and, increasing parent involvement within the school. The administration developed strategies for improving math achievement and were able to hire a curriculum lead. Council advocated to the board and the province against the pool closing which continues to be slated for closure in June 2009. Council obtained a School Council grant of $850 from the provincial government to assist efforts to reach out to parents.
If you’d like to be involved in the Council, please contact the chair or check the website for meeting dates. We look forward to a good year ahead.
Beth Davey (co-chair)
Alison Pedley (co-chair) (retired)
bdavey@cpso.on.ca
