Great Start
An orientation and training evening for school council members
Dear school council members,
Thank you for volunteering to be a member of your school council for the 2014-15 school year. At the Peel
District School Board, we are committed to supporting your efforts and are pleased to host Great Start: An
orientation and training night for school council members. The event is open to three council members per
school and takes place at West Credit Secondary School on Oct. 29 from 5 to 9 p.m. Participants will enjoy
a buffet dinner followed by a keynote presentation from Mary Fiore, Instructional Co-ordinator
(Mathematical Literacy), and then a choice of workshops.
At the event, council members will:
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gain proven, practical tips and strategies for success
get their questions answered
network with other council members
enjoy a hot dinner, prepared by students in the food service program
Agenda
5 to 6 p.m.
Registration, information booths and buffet dinner
6 p.m.
Welcome
Craig Caslick, Principal of West Credit Secondary School
Janet McDougald, Chair of the board
Tony Pontes, Director of Education
6:15 p.m.
Keynote – EngageMath: Inspiring numeracy greatness, together
Mary Fiore, Instructional Co-ordinator (Mathematical Literacy),
6:45 to 7:45 p.m.
7:55 to 8:55 p.m.
Workshop A
Workshop B
School council workshops
Each school council member can register for two of the following sessions:
1. Everything you need to know about school councils
Based on the Peel board's 15+ years of experience with school councils, this workshop will highlight what you need to
know about running an effective school council.
2. Advocating for your child, your school, your community
Sometimes, parents may encounter situations where they must act for their child’s or their school’s interests. Learn
more about effective strategies and tips when advocating for change. This workshop is led by People for Education, an
independent organization working to support public education.
3. Five steps to communicating effectively in a digital world
One important mandate of school councils is improving communication between parents and the school. Participants
will learn proven ways to effectively communicate with school communities in today's busy, digital world. This workshop
will provide quick tips on communicating with parents with a focus on audiences, goals, key messages, tactics and
evaluation.
4. Encourage parent involvement at your school
Research shows that parent involvement positively affects student success. There are many ways to be involved. At this
workshop, you'll learn some new strategies for encouraging parent involvement at your school.
5. Building an inclusive school: Faith and culture conversation…and how you can help
Hear from the Peel board's community liaison co-ordinator about how you can ensure that your school is and becomes
an inclusive one where the diverse cultures and faiths of Peel students and families are acknowledged, celebrated and
included in all aspects of school life. Find out what other schools are doing successfully, brainstorm ideas and walk away
with tangible plans to make it happen at your school. Learn about the board's Faith Forward program resources and how
they support the board's goal of providing equity of access and opportunity for students and staff to learn, work and
develop in an environment that is encouraging, respectful and inclusive.
6. What every school council treasurer needs to know (Part 1)
Intended for new treasurers, this workshop will explain what every school council treasurer needs to know about the
Ministry of Education's financial reporting requirements for school councils.
7. What every school council treasurer needs to know (Part 2)
Already attend last year's treasurer workshop? This more advanced workshop expands on Part 1, further explaining
the Ministry of Education's financial reporting requirements for school councils.
8. Great meetings – great minutes
Ideal for council chairs and secretaries, this popular workshop covers two essential skills that are important for every
school council. The first half of the workshop provides tips and techniques to help you effectively chair a meeting—
including reaching consensus, establishing and sticking to an agenda, and how to participate in the meeting while
chairing it. The second half of the presentation focuses on successful minute-taking strategies.
9. Safe and inclusive schools in Peel— the role of school council
Discover how your school council can help promote a positive climate for learning and working at your school. This fun
and interactive workshop will highlight the character attributes we value in Peel: caring, cooperative, honest, inclusive,
respectful, responsible. You’ll learn ways to help your school community collaborate effectively, and discover how your
school council can contribute to student success by engaging in opportunities to support safe and inclusive schools.
10. BYOD—how parents can support technology used in Peel schools
Peel schools are now wireless! Discover how your school council can support technology use at your school. This
interactive workshop will highlight how technology can be used to support learning and provide participants with
strategies they can use to promote the benefits of technology to the school community.
11. Student mental health—the role of school council
Develop a greater understanding of how schools support student mental health and the services available. Learn how, as
parent leaders in your school community, you can help increase awareness about mental health issues that may affect
students.
12. Working with your trustee
Hear practical tips from experienced chairpersons on how to effectively chair meetings, and learn how to build a positive
relationship with your trustee.
13. Equity and inclusive education – a school council perspective
This workshop will help school council members understand how the Peel board supports equity and inclusive
education in our schools, and how school councils can deepen the understanding of these issues with their parent
community.
14. Share your story: networking opportunity
Led by the Peel District School Board’s Parent Involvement Committee, this interactive workshop will provide school
council members an opportunity to network with other members and generate ideas to boost parent involvement at
their schools. Come with your questions, ideas and success stories to share!
15. Communicating to parents: anti-spam legislation and privacy best practises
Canada's new anti-spam law has impacted how schools—and school councils—can now communicate with parents via
email. This workshop will explain the new legislation, and also expand upon privacy best practices for school councils,
keeping in mind privacy laws affecting school boards.
Registration Form
Great Start: An orientation and training evening for school council members
Wednesday, October 29 from 5 to 9 p.m.
West Credit Secondary School
6325 Montevideo Rd., Mississauga
Agenda
5 to 6 p.m.
6 p.m.
6:15 p.m.
6:45 to 7:45 p.m.
7:55 to 8:55 p.m.
Registration, booths and buffet dinner
Welcome
Keynote
Workshop A
Workshop B
Workshops (each attendee can select two):
1. Everything you need to know about school councils
2. Advocating for your child, your school, your community
3. Five steps to communicating effectively in a digital world
4. Encourage parent involvement at your school
5. Building an inclusive school: Faith and culture conversation…and how you can help
6. What every school council treasurer needs to know (Part 1)
7. What every school council treasurer needs to know (Part 2)
8. Great meetings – great minutes
9. Safe and inclusive schools in Peel— the role of school council
10. BYOD—how parents can support technology used in Peel schools
11. Student mental health—the role of school council
12. Working with your trustee
13. Equity and inclusive education – a school council perspective
14. Share your story: networking opportunity
15. Communicating to parents: anti-spam legislation and privacy best practises
_______________________________________________________________________________
School Name
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Phone
Email
Do you have any food allergies or special requirements?_________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
First and last name of participant
__________
Choice for
Workshop A
__________
Choice for
Workshop B
______________________________________________________________
First and last name of participant
__________
Choice for
Workshop A
__________
Choice for
Workshop B
______________________________________________________________
First and last name of participant
__________
Choice for
Workshop A
__________
Choice for
Workshop B
Email the form to judi.stephenson@peelsb.com or register online at http://bit.ly/greatstart2014.
Registration closes on October 22, 2014.