What is a school council?
School councils consist of parents, principals, teachers, secondary students and community representatives who work together to support and enhance student learning.
They provide a way for members of the community to consult with and offer advise to the principal and the school boards.
School councils:
- Focus on what is best for all students in the school
- Consider the interests of all school stakeholders
- Develop, maintain and reflect the culture of the school
- Represent the parent voice in the school community
Each school board should have a school council. School councils are legislated under Section 22 of the School Act.
What is the role of parents?
Parents play an important role in student success. School councils allow parents to participate in decisions that impact student learning. By contributing knowledge, perspective and ideas at school council meetings, parents are actively contributing to the success of the school community.
Parents of students enrolled in the school must make up the majority of the school council. School councils may also decide to include one or more parents of children enrolled in an Early Childhood Services (ECS) program at the school or other individuals who have an interest in the school.
(source: Alberta Education)
What can FPFA do to help your school council?
FPFA offers various workshops for school councils. These modules were created to form and inform school council members and to help with the overall performance of the council. The modules offer tips and resources that aim to help members.
Note: our modules are in French.
Our trainers
Mr. Caron is familiar with the implications and challenges that parents face, having been himself involved in the school council of Maurice-Lavallée School. He also chaired the first school council of Joseph-Moreau School. His passion for the democratic functioning and management by parents was also assessed at the daycare CEPP where he served as President and Treasurer. He holds a M.Sc. in Economics from the University of Sherbrooke in Quebec. In addition to his work for the FPFA, Mr. Caron is also a lecturer at Centre Collégial de l’Alberta.
Mireille Peloquin graduated in Human Resource Management from the University of Grant McEwan in 2011, and works for Alberta’s Francophone community for over 20 years. She spent the first nine years at ACFA Lethbridge, then she worked at the provincial Secretariat for six years, she was the CEO of the IGLF for 6 years and she is now CEO of the FPFA since December 2010. Experiences vary from project officer at school commissioner, through cultural activities and fundraising. She led the creation of tools and training for all volunteers and staff of the Francophone associations in Alberta.
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