2023-24
School Council Letter September 2023
2023-24 School Council Nomination Form Fillable
Dear Westdale Community,
Every school in Ontario is required to have a School Council to work collaboratively with the principal to improve student achievement and to enhance accountability of the school with parents. Information about School Councils can be found here: School councils: a guide for members | ontario.ca
We welcome all parents/guardians who are willing to volunteer their time to participate on our School Council for the 2023-24 school year. Typically, School Councils meet in person on a monthly basis to discuss school-wide interests and to make recommendations to the principal. We will be continuing with in person meetings this year and will provide an option for parents/guardians to access and participate in the meeting remotely as well. Please inform the principal should you wish to attend meetings remotely.
School Councils must hold annual elections to identify voting members and various positions such as School Council Chair. Elected members vote on School Council matters and represent the group’s ideas and make suggestions to the principal. Please note that you do not have to be an elected member of School Council to attend meetings. All meetings are open to all parents/guardians who wish to attend.
To declare your interest to become an elected member on School Council, please complete the nomination form. You may also nominate another parent/guardian of a student at our school to become an elected School Council member. All nomination forms must be received by Tuesday September 26, 2023 in order to be elected to Council. Our first meeting of this school year will be held on Tuesday September 26th at 6pm in the Library/Learning Commons.
Please consider joining us on School Council as an elected or general member. School Council involvement is a great way to support your student’s education and we look forward to working together.
Sincerely,
Brian Goodram
Principal
Chair(s):
- Catherine Roberts and Claire Rivlin
School Council email address:
westdaleSC@hwdsb.on.ca
Westdale School Council Bylaws:
Westdale School Council Bylaws adopted May 2019
HWDSB School Council Handbook:
School Council Dates:
School Council will meet from 6:15-7:15pm in the Library / Learning Commons on the following dates for the 2023-24 school year:
September 26, October 24, November 28, December 19, January 30, February 27, March 26, April 30, May 28, June 18
2023-24 School Council Agendas:
September 26 2023 School Council Agenda
October 24 2023 School Council Agenda
Archived Agendas (2022-23 School Year)
September 27 2022 School Council Agenda
October 25 2022 School Council Agenda
November 29 School Council Agenda
December 20 2022 School Council Agenda
January 31 2023 School Council Agenda
February 28 2023 School Council Agenda
March 28 2023 School Council Agenda
April 25 2023 School Council Agenda
May 30 2023 School Council Agenda
June 27 2023 School Council Agenda
2023-24 School Council Meeting Minutes:
School Council Minutes September 26 2023
Archived Minutes (2022-23 School Year)
School Council Minutes September 27 2022
School Council Minutes October 25 2022
School Council Minutes November 29 2022
School Council Minutes December 20 2022
School Council Minutes January 31 2023
School Council Minutes February 28 2023
School Council Minutes March 28 2023
School Council Minutes April 25 2023
School Council Minutes May 30 2023
School Council Minutes June 26 2023
What is School Council?
Provincially-mandated, School Council provides a forum through which parents can contribute to improving student achievement and school performance. School councils are able to make recommendations to the principal and school board on any matter. Parent representatives on school council are voting members who: participate on any committees established by school council, contribute to the discussions of the school council, solicit the views of other parents and members of the community to share, and observe the council’s code of ethics and established bylaws.
Membership of a school council (up to 12 members and a chair) changes from year to year and ideally reflects the diversity of the school community. Membership on the school council benefits the parent involved in a number of ways: being a partner in the education system whose views are valued, contributing to the shared goal of improving student achievement, having a vehicle through which to express opinions and being able to keep informed about what is happening at the school, board and provincial levels of education.
Please join us at the monthly school council meeting!
At each meeting, there are reports from the principal and also from students representing the various councils and committees in the School, including Triune and the Athletic Council and the Music department. Usually there is a brief presentation regarding a timely issue such as understanding the process whereby your child selects his or her classes for the upcoming year. There is always time for parents’ questions. Participating on school council will be a rewarding experience for all those who value the opportunity to make a difference in their children’s education but also those who want to make positive improvements for all students of Westdale.
Westdale School Council Facebook Link
Updated on Monday, October 30, 2023.