Parent
Engagement
Presented by:
Laurie Green
Virginia Ludy
Why Is Parent Engagement
Important
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Studies show that students of parents who are
engaged in public education are more
successful at school
Its your right to play an active role and to be
heard
Parent Engagement is the second priority of
the TDSB Years of Action Plan
All levels of government have recognized the
importance of parent engagement and have
established means to engage parents
Opportunities for Parent
Engagement
 Local
School
 School Ward
 At the Board Level
 Opportunities Beyond the TDSB
Parent Engagement at the
Local School Level
 Volunteering
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In Class
Extracurricular activities
School Trips
 School
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Opportunities
Advisory Council
Attend meetings
Volunteer on Committees
Serve on Executive
 …and
more
Mandated Opportunities for
Parent Input at School Level
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School Budget-consultation and posting on
school web site
School Safety Committee-provide parent
input
School Staffing Committee-parallel to the staff
School Improvement Plan
School Statement of Needs-consultation with
entire parent body (Principal Selection
Process)
School Safety Audit
Parent Engagement at the
Ward Level
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Participate in Ward Meetings
Participate in other special forum meetings
held by your school trustee
Volunteer as the Ward Rep for Advisory
Committees such as;
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Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC)
Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)
French as a Second Language Advisory
Committee (FSLAC)
Parent Engagement at the
Ward Level Cont.
 Work
with other parents and your trustee
in the ward on issues and opportunities
 Work as an advocate in your ward on
issues that may arise ie;
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Safe Schools
Closing of schools and selling of surplus
property
School funding
Special Education
Parent Engagement at the
Board Level
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Participate as a ward representative on a
Advisory Committee;
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PIAC-list working groups
SEAC-Four year appointments up right now,
must put in an application
FSLAC
Participate on special working groups such as;
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Participatory Budget Consultation Group
Principal/VP Selection Group
Advertising and Sponsorship Advisory Group
PIAC Working Groups
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Bylaws
Budget
Membership
Nominations
Calendar
Communications
Outreach
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Principal/Vice Principal
Special Education
Parent Conference
Chair Appreciation Event
Special Education Event
Pools
Full Day Kindergarten
PIAC Working Groups Cont.
 Pics
and Hubs
 Fundraising
 Curriculum & Library
 Concussion
 Consultation
TDSB Advisory Committees
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Aboriginal Community AC
Alternative Schools AC
Community Use of Schools AC
Early Years AC
Environmental Sustainability AC
Equity Policy AD
French as a Second Language AC
Inner City AC
Parent Involvement AC
Special Education AC
Student Nutrition AC
TDSB Community Liaison
Groups
 Ethno
Cultural Network
 Organization of Parents of Black Children
 Parent Environmental Network
 Somali Parents Liaison Coalition
 Spanish Speaking Education Network
 Tamil Parents Association
 The Toronto Federation of Chinese Parents
Parent Engagement at the
Board Level Cont.
 Attend
Board meetings
 Speak to issues at committee meetings of
the Board through deputations
 Meet regularly with trustees and staff on
issues that resonate with you
Parent Engagement Beyond
the TDSB
 Become
informed by participating in
groups such as;
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People for Education
Attend Parent Conference put on by
school boards, universities, educational
associations etc.
 Advocate
on educational issues at all
political levels, have a voice
 Be Engaged
Resources
 www.torontopiac.com
 www.tdsb.on.ca/parentandcommunity
 www.peopleforeducation.ca
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www.edu.gov.on.ca/parents/involvemen
t
 www.tdsb.on.ca/specialeducationadvisor
ycommittee