St. Francis High School Council Orientation

1. September 13, 2011 St. Francis High School 7:00 pm Introductions: Take a minute to get to know each other. Provide your name, school, and any other information you would like to share.

2. School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011 2 Superintendent Diduch: We begin by marking ourselves with the sign of our faith. All: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen Superintendent Diduch: As we set out upon another academic year, let us listen to these words from the Gospel of St. John: Jesus said to his disciples: This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down ones life for ones friends. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go out and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another. (John 15:12-13, 1617) Please join in our opening prayer

3. School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011 3 All: Lord God, your love for us is extravagant. Continue to open our minds to the wisdom of your unfailing love and mercy as we join staff and students in exploring the districts new faith theme. Fill our hearts with the spirit of your charity that we may please you by our thoughts and bear lasting fruit in your kingdom. Be with us during this time of orientation and bless us with your grace. Help us to learn and fulfill our duties with enthusiasm and generosity. Guide our efforts to build and strengthen relationships within our school communities, that we may faithfully live the commandment of love and be true reflections of Christ through our hospitality, openness and leadership. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

4. For coming out tonight and for taking on the very important role and responsibility as School Council Chair. Your commitment to your school community is very much valued and appreciated by your school administration and staff, by all parents in your school, the district, and the Board of Trustees. Parent Involvement is very important. You will receive a lot of support along the way. 4 School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011

5. Serafino Scarpino, Chair Wards 1, 2, & Cochrane Mary Martin, Vice Chair Wards 13 & 14 Lois Burke-Gaffney Wards 6 & 8 Margaret Belcourt Wards 4 & 7 Linda Wellman Wards 3, 5, & Airdrie Rosemarie Goerlitz Wards 9, 10, & Chestermere Cathie Williams Wards 11 & 12 School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011 5

6. Dr. Lucy Miller, Chief Superintendent Michael Barbero, Superintendent, Area A Schools Luba Diduch, Superintendent, Area B Schools Judy MacKay, Superintendent, Area C Schools Gary Strother, Superintendent, Area D Schools / Information Technology Mark Rawlek, Superintendent, Area E Schools / Support Services Dr. Andra McGinn, Superintendent, Specialized Program Schools / Instruction / Religious Education John Deausy, Superintendent, Finance & Business / Secretary Treasurer Craig Foley, Superintendent, Human Resources School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011 6

7. Promote parental involvement in the education of their children Facilitate with building community looking to include all voices Understand local, district and provincial agendas, mandates and concerns and share with school council Facilitate consultation with parent community and share outcomes with Trustees School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011 7

8. School Councils are collective associations of parents, teachers, secondary students, principals, staff and community representative who work together to effectively support and enhance student learning. They provide one means for members of the school community to provide advice and consult with the principal and advise the board. (School Councils in Alberta, page ii) (CSSD School Council Handbook D.1) School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011 8

9. Transparent operations and communication of information Shared with administration and school council chair Administration shares with all staff and seeks input and feedback School council chairs share with school councils and seek input and feedback Administration report results to Dr. Miller through superintendents School council chairs report to Trustees (through the office of Superintendent Diduch) 9 School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011

10. School Council Handbook, D.2. Principal and SCC/executive consult on setting meeting dates and agenda items. Build consensus before SC meeting. Principal has final responsibility for all school and budget decisions. Supports and advises the SC from the administrative perspective. 10 School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011

11. School Council Chair ensures minutes are recorded and maintained. Ensures regular communication with school community. Follows existing school council by-laws (check if these are in place at your school and review with council). Solicit input from all members. Submit year-end report to the Board of Trustees by Sept 30 th of following year. 11 School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011

12. 12 School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011

13. 13 School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011

14. SC work is governed by the School Act (RSA 2000, Chapter S-3) Alberta Regulation 113/2007, and CSSD mandate: SC handbook Resource links (next slide) Refer Section K: Appendix A Refer page D.2 SC Handbook 14 School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011

15. School Act (RSA 2000, Chapter S-3) http://www.qp.alberta.ca/574.cfm?page=s03.cfm&leg_type=Act s&isbncln=9780779733941 Alberta Education: School Councils Regulation http://www.qp.alberta.ca/documents/Regs/2007_113.pdf Alberta School Council Resource Manual , revised 2007. http://education.alberta.ca/media/464094/scm.pdf Guide to Education , September 2011, Regulations, page 13-14 School Councils Regulation, AR 113/2007, School Act , Section 22 http://education.alberta.ca/media/832568/guidetoed.pdf CSSD mandate: School Council Handbook, www.cssd.ab.ca under Parent Centre / School Councils or http://www.cssd.ab.ca/default.asp?V_ITEM_ID=192 15 School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011

16. 16 School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011

17. 17 School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011

18. Communication is key principal and SC chair and executive come to understand school priorities and work together on support of successful outcomes. Important to understand how the school and district operate and communicate these processes to parents. The best happens when SC and the principal work together for the benefit of all students. 18 School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011

19. 19 School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011

20. 20 School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011

21. The role of SC is to advise the principal and work collaboratively to promote enhanced learning and a positive climate and culture. Collaboration is the key when looking to creating the best possible learning environment for students. Refer page D3 Role of Principal and Role of School Council Chair. 21 School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011

22. 22 School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011

23. 23 School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011

24. 24 INDIVIDUAL TRUSTEE SCHOOL STAFF MEMBER PARENT SCHOOL COUNCIL AREA SUPERINTENDENT PRINCIPAL TEACHER CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT BOARD OF TRUSTEES School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011

25. 25 School Council Orientation Sept. 28, 2010

26. 26 School Council Orientation Sept. 28, 2010

27. 27 School Council Orientation Sept. 28, 2010 SCs have expanded to include parents, principals, teachers, students, past chair and members of the community (refer to Section B.1 Membership). SCs advise the principal and the Board of Trustees in accordance with the delegation (refer to Section K.2)

28. 28 School Council Orientation Sept. 28, 2010

29. 29 School Council Orientation Sept. 28, 2010

30. In Alberta, SCs are governed by the School Act and Regulations. Important to establish a process to meet and finalize agenda items. Agreement needs to be reached before agenda brought to members at large. Speaking with one voice strengthens a school community and is best for enhancing positive climate and culture. SC initiatives need to reflect the school Three Year Plan. 30 School Council Orientation Sept. 28, 2010

31. 31 School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011

32. 32 School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011

33. When the best happens, Educational Societies work to support the work of the SC and the schools Three Year Plan. Under the School Act, SCs are the only legal body that has an advisory role (to the principal and the Board when requested) within a school community. Refer to Section I: Fundraising for information on Educational Societies. 33 School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011

34. 34 School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011

35. 35 School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011

36. Trustees are elected by the public to oversee the work of the district. Trustee comes from the word trust. ..the public have placed their trust in the Board of Trustees to ensure that the District is carrying out Alberta Education mandates with respect to the operation of the district and schools in their care. Trustees respond and consult with parents and want to hear from them on a regular basis. School Council Chairs and Trustee General Meeting, Parent and Trustee Forums, Program & Accommodation meetings and specially called meetings (refer page H.4) or on our district website at: http://www.cssd.ab.ca/default.asp?V_ITEM_ID=192 36 School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011

37. 37 School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011

38. 38 School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011

39. The SC chair is the liaison between the Trustees and their school community. Any and all information received by the SC Chair needs to be shared at SC meetings. Any feedback or input for parents, on a any given topic, is forwarded to Trustees (through the SC liaison to the Board Superintendent Diduch). School Councils prepare a Year-End Report that is forwarded to the Board of Trustees by September 30 of each year. In Calgary Catholic, this report is forwarded to the liaison to the Board. 39 School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011

40. 40 School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011

41. 41 School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011

42. Parents look to SC chairs for leadership. Important for SC chairs to know the School Act on School Councils, School Council regulation and information in the SC Handbook to run effective meetings and know how to direct parents when request(s) come forward. Important for SC chairs to embrace the full scope of their positions including advisory to their principal, district and at the government level. 42 School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011

43. School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011 43 All questions are relevant and important. If your question was not answered in the course of this meeting, using the Feedback Sheet, please provide your name, school, and e-mail address with your question(s) and leave on the table when leaving or fax to Luba Diduch at 403-500-2919 or email your questions to luba.diduch@cssd.ab.ca.

44. For stepping up to the leadership position. For working in an advisory role to the principal in working together for creating the best possible learning opportunities for all students. 44 School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011

45. Superintendent Diduch: On this feast of St. John Chrysostom, patron of preachers, we pray as one: All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen As we conclude our meeting, we thank you for the gifts you have placed in our care and for the call to serve you and one another through our gifts. Continue to lead and direct our activities that we may work collaboratively with others and remain steadfast in our endeavour to uphold the dignity of each child in our district. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen 45 School Council Orientation Sept. 13, 2011