Draft "Parent Engagement Policy" not going out to PIC's?

[Gord Wyse]

Thanks People for Education for posting the ministries request for responce on draft Parent Engagement Policy. What I am upset over is why the PIC chairs weren't sent this info and invited to respond. I am not sure how this helps build confidence in who's voice is being heard on Parent Engagement matters. Perhaps the Ministry should come out with a communication policy first as requests for input seem to be hit and miss.

[Sheila Stewart]

Hi again Carolyn,
Are you employed at the school where you are also a parent, or elsewhere in the board? The voting rights would be different depending on that.

[Carolyn Hines]

Full of good sense and practicality!! Thank you for expressing so succinctly what I was thinking . I really think most parents are doing what they want/can and most know about the existence of their school councils, less so probably are aware of the PIC's. And I agree with Linda when she says that school councils should not be concentrating on fundraising as much as they do, however, one must have a principal that is open to the idea of sharing info and "power" with parents. And she is correct, in a perfect world, councils would act as advisory bodies before policies are enacted or be made aware of assessment results, yet again, you need to have a principal that will bring these issues to the council, or have an executive that is aware of the issues. Lots of good work can be done at the council level, but there needs to be a strong committment on the part of the executive and the principal to work together and to see the value of a strong, informed council.
Lori Lukinuk said:

A lot of questions and not many answers. We seem to be going in circles. So what do parents really want their PICs or School Councils to look like? I've seen school newsletters and articles from 1989. Groups weren't called school councils or PICs at the time, but they were essentially the same. You would swear these articles were written yesterday. Things have not changed. Perhaps the real answer is we need to all be happy with the way things are. Perhaps things are at a level where they belong. Perhaps we are acting the same as those who want to focus on getting all students to this level three standard that someone has chosen to be the right target to reach. Perhaps parents are as engaged as they want to be and don't need to be made to feel guilty for not doing more. Those who want to fundraise....knock yourselves out. Those who want to get involved in the policy development at the board level....good on ya! Those who want to join some committee to provide advice on school improvement plans...way to go. Just don't expect all parents to want they same things. The real trick is to let parents know they are welcome to do all those things if they choose and if and when they are ready. Perhaps each parent/guardian/community member needs to be look to themselves and decide if their engagement is where they are comfortable and who are the rest of us to say they are wrong. Perhaps the only real message should be that those who are not engaged but would like to find a way to be engaged, are welcomed in the school community. This gets back to the Principal, Teacher, Parent relationships. Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps!!!

[Carolyn Hines]

I am employed in a couple of the schools, including where my kids go to school and where I am on council. That, I guess, is where the conflict of interest arises. I cannot see what kind of conflict of interest would prevent me from voting on spending council money or other issues - but rules is rules as they say!

Sheila Stewart said:

Hi again Carolyn,
Are you employed at the school where you are also a parent, or elsewhere in the board? The voting rights would be different depending on that.

[Linda Steel]

Actually - all school councils are supposed to include both (at least) one teaching and one non-teaching staff member (and a student rep at the seconday level, and at the discretion of the Principal at the elementary level). The only person who does NOT have a vote is the Principal. ALL other members identified under the Education Act have a vote.

If your Council expands its membership beyond the Act's requirements, then the Council's by-laws may restrict the voting by others not included in the Act. I, however, view that as counter-productive. Parents have been "begging" for years to be treated & recognized as equal partners at the educational tables. Does it make sense that when "we" are in control (and I use that term VERY loosely!) we would practice what we have been fighting against?

In our Board - everyone on our PIC has a vote: teacher reps, Principal reps, non-teaching staff rep, Trustees, etc. Everyone has a vote; however, quorum is determined by a majority of parents in attendance. We keep it simple.

Also - we have never gone to a vote! We operate on consensus-based decision making. What does this mean?

The best way I can explain it here is: if a decision is made by voting, those against walk out "against" the decision and actively, visibly do not support it - they are free to communicate their feelings (typically they will be unhappy because they do not agree with the decision); through consensus "everyone" has to agree and when they walk out they support the decision - even if they are not 100% satisfied. It is an interesting process - but highly effective, less divisive, and done properly: VERY positive & productive.

Happy to share more info on this if anyone wants it.

Linda