School Councils 101
New to school councils or the TDSB? Start here to learn more about School [Advisory] Councils!
What is a School [Advisory] Council (SAC)?
Each school has a school [advisory] council. The majority of the members of the council are parents of children at the school. The council will also have the principal as a member, and school staff representatives.
“The purpose of school councils is, through the active participation of parents, to improve pupil achievement and to enhance the accountability of the education system to parents. A school council’s primary means of achieving its purpose is by making recommendations [...] to the principal of the school and the board that established the council.”
Read more:
School councils: a guide for members | ontario.ca
School Council Toolkit courtesy of the TDSB PIAC (see below)
O. Reg. 612/00: SCHOOL COUNCILS AND PARENT INVOLVEMENT COMMITTEES
What is the Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC)?
Each board has a parent involvement [advisory] committee. The majority of the members of the committee are parents of children in the board. The committee also has the director of education of the board as a member, and another member of the board.
“The purpose of a parent involvement committee is to support, encourage and enhance parent engagement at the board level in order to improve student achievement and well-being. A parent involvement committee of a board shall achieve its purpose by
(a) providing information and advice on parent engagement to the board;
(b) communicating with and supporting school councils of schools of the board; and
(c) undertaking activities to help parents of pupils of the board support their children’s learning at home and at school.”
The TDSB PIAC provides useful tools and resources to support TDSB School Councils. Read more:
O. Reg. 612/00: SCHOOL COUNCILS AND PARENT INVOLVEMENT COMMITTEES
What is the Parent and Community Engagement Office (PCCEO)?
The PCCEO is a department of the TDSB dedicated to improving parent engagement. In particular their Youtube channel provides many useful videos for parents and SACs.