Resources for Council

The materials included here are intended to help familiarize parents with School Advisory Councils and how they function. In addition, several of the publications explain how school councils are set up and run in York Region District School Board (YRDSB) and the Province of Ontario. To view other YRDSB information and documents, visit the YRDSB School Council web site.

Bridges

Bridges is a newsletter designed for School Councils. It is published 3 times a year by The York Region District School Board and The Staff Development Centre. The Staff Development Centre is committed to creating and supporting opportunities for learning and growth.

School Council Handbook©

The School Council Handbook© (PDF 440 KB) was developed to provide parents with background information on the York Region District School Board, as well as information regarding Board Policies and Procedures relating to school council operations and key resources to assist parents and other school council members. It is a comprehensive document that not only explains the various players on the Board and their roles, but also school and Board planning procedures. It also provides information on how to run an effective school council, answers frequently asked questions, and provides numerous examples of documents and forms used by school councils.

School Council Orientation

The York Region District School Board produced the booklet, School Council Orientation (PDF 197 KB), to give parents the tools they need to be effective in their own school. It provides background information on the purpose of school councils, as well as information on the regulation under which school councils are established and York Region’s policy and procedure on school councils.

Policy 262

YRDSB Policy 262 (PDF 60 KB) governs school councils. Board procedure 262 follows the "musts" in the Ministry of Education Regulation 612, while clarifying and tailoring the regulation for the public schools in York Region. While Procedure 262 covers the operational details of school councils, it is the Board’s Policy 262 that mandates each school must have a "vibrant" council and outlines the Board’s vision for school councils in York Region public schools.

School Councils: A Guide for Members

The Ontario Ministry of Education published the guide School Councils: A Guide for Members as a comprehensive look at school councils in 2001 and updated it in 2002. It covers just about everything you need to know about school councils in the province.  Some of the topics included in the booklet are: A Short History of School Councils in Ontario, The Regulations Governing School Councils, Effective School Councils, Preparing For and Running Meetings, Communication, Accountability, and About Ontario’s Education System.

A Handbook of Information for Volunteers: A Resource to Support School Councils

The intent of A Handbook of Information for Volunteers: A Resource to Support School Councils (PDF 413 KB) is to support and guide effective communication between the Board and its school councils. Effective communication ensures common understanding, the sharing of relevant information in a timely manner and provides an avenue for the resolution of issues.

In addition, this document defines standards and best practices for the use of electronic and non-electronic tools. Before communicating, careful consideration should be given to determine the best communication tool. This document provides guidance on which communication tools are available and which are best suited to different needs and refers only to documents that are distributed by central Board services.

Parental Involvement: A Resource to Support the School Planning Process

Parental Involvement: A Resource to Support the School Planning Process (PDF 397 KB) provides a list of resources on subjects ranging from parenting to communicating to volunteering to learning at home. Resources on how to develop an effective school council and collaborating with the community are also listed.

YRDSB Procedure NP 133: Financial Management for School Councils and Other Parent Fundraising Groups

Under the Education Act, Regulation 612, school boards in Ontario are required to establish a school council for each school within the board. Many school councils perform fundraising activities in the name of the school and as such are required to conform with the appropriate sections of Regulation 612 that deal with fundraising issues. YRDSB Procedure NP 133: Financial Management for School Councils and Other Parent Fundraising Groups (PDF 102 KB) outlines these requirements.

YRDSB Policy 676: Fundraising and the Use of Non-Board Funds to Support Student Learning

YRDSB Policy 676: Fundraising and the Use of Non-Board Funds to Support Student Learning (PDF 117 KB) clarifies fundraising guidelines for both student fundraising and fundraising by school councils.

Other YRDSB School Councils

Check out what other school councils in the York Region District School Board are up to.

York Region District School Board School Council Resources

View the YRDSB documents.

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