We're Looking For Your Input

A new school year presents parents with a tremendous opportunity to become actively involved in all aspects of school life through participation in the School Advisory Council.

Please accept this as your invitation to join us in a common effort aimed at making St. Joseph's Catholic High School truly a school to believe in.

If you're interested, and we hope that you are, please join us at our first meeting of the year, Tuesday, September 15, 2009.

We truly look forward to working with you!

Priority Setting: 2008-2009

Council selected the following as their priorities for the next three years:

1. Faith Life

· Increase the visibility in feeder parishes through the bulletin and participation in the mass.

· Infuse the Catholic belief system throughout the school (professional development with staff and signs and symbols)

2. Safe, Healthy, Environmentally Friendly School

· Safe Schools Team/ Safe Schools Policy

· Develop a recycling program

3. Success for all Students

Focus on Tech side

· Tech courses

· Tech credits

· Fostering links with community partners

Welcome!

We invite you to make use of the school's e-mail address to bring to our attention any matters relevant to our role as advisors to the School Principal. Your views are very important to us in our mandate to act as your representatives.

WHAT IS A SCHOOL COUNCIL?

School Councils were mandated by the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) which requires each school to have such a body. Legislation is promised by the current government to establish school councils as a legal requirement.

The purpose of our Catholic School Community Council is to enhance learning through the active involvement of the members of the community working in partnership.

WHAT ARE THE AREAS IN WHICH THE COUNCIL ADVISES THE PRINCIPAL?

Our Council can offer advice in many areas. Examples include:

• religious, cultural and extra-curricular activities;
• curriculum and program goals and priorities;
• preparation and review of the school profile and criteria for the selection of principals;
• development, implementation and review of board policies at the school level;
• student code of behaviour;

The Council may also be consulted by the board and respond to MOET initiatives and consultation documents.

HOW ARE MEMBERS CHOSEN?

• The majority of Council members are parents with children in the school elected by parents of students. The Chair must be a parent. Elections are in the Spring.
• The Student Council President(s)
• Two teacher representatives elected by the teachers
• One pastoral representative chosen by the priests of the area
• Representatives of the parish pastoral councils of the area
• One representative of the non-teaching staff elected by their fellow employees
• One community representative chosen by the Council members
• The School Principal is a resource person

All terms are one year except for the Principal.

MEETINGS

The School Council meets a minimum of five times during the school year. All meetings are open to the public and will be held in the Sister Claire Gallagher Library at the school. Come out to our next meeting to see how you can make a difference in your child's education!

Your input and suggestions are always welcome.