Parents
Parents are an integral part of a child's education and their contribution to their child's school is invaluable.
If you have a child in a school, you are automatically a member of the Parent Advisory Council for that school. Parents are encouraged to participate but it is not manadatory.
The PAC's purpose is to represent parents and focus on the best interests of all students in the school. The PAC holds a monthly meeting to discuss school issues of interest and concern to parents and to give input to the School Planning Council. The principal attends the monthly meetings to offer information that helps parents in their discussions.
The PAC relies on the help of parents to plan and run many different activities in the schools that support students, parents and staff. Three parents are elected by secret ballot to represent all parents on the School Planning Council (SPC); one elected representative must already be a member of the PAC executive. The elected representatives provide parents' views to the SPC.
Please contact your child's school for the monthly date and time of the Parent Advisory Council meeting.
School Planning Councils acknowledge the importance of parental involvement and formalize the role of parents in developing plans to improve student achievement in all schools in British Columbia.
School Planning Councils are advisory bodies whose main responsibility is improve, develop, monitor, and review schools plans for student achievement in consultation with the school community.
School plans are part of a provincial accountability framework to improve student results. Plans developed by School Planning Councils are connected to District Achievement Contracts, District Literacy Plans, and Aboriginal Enhancement Agreements. These processes collect and analyze information related to student achievement, develop and implement plans for improvement, review results, and communicate with the public.
Did you know that the average attendance at parent advisory council is approximately 6 people? That includes the principal and the council representatives. What does this mean?
- Major decisions on your child’s school are out of your hands;
- Large sums of money are being allocated without your say;
- Opportunities to share your opinion are lost;
- Your influence on what happens in this school is absent;
- Your voice in the many votes on important decisions is uncounted;
- Your voice as a representative of your child is unheard.
Parent advisory council is a great way for you to meet and become part of the parent community. You are already a member.