It seems quite foreign to
me that I will not be involved this year in getting the School Council and
Fundraising Society at my son’s elementary school set up. This is
because for the first time since he started school I will not assume a formal
role with either group as I intend on having the role of Ward C EPSB Trustee.
I have a great deal of
admiration for the parents and community members who step forward to contribute
positively to the education experience of students in the public system. Quite
frankly, I had very little understanding of how many hours are selflessly
dedicated by volunteers whether it is reading with children, working in the
supply room, engaging with student field trips or assisting teaching staff and administration in
general.
In addition to monthly
meeting preparation and execution, high performing School Council and
Fundraising Society teams across the system will spend the month of September …
- setting up teacher work request systems
- exploring and implementing fund-raising strategies
- creating 'Consent to Contact' distribution lists
- engaging on social media streams
- recruiting new membership
- organizing Casino’s
- establishing reading schedules with students
- arranging Annual General Meetings
- setting up a hot lunch program
- establishing Kid’s Pantry’s and;
- generally engaging and communicating with the larger parent group
And then October comes!
They may also be
advocating for larger scale initiatives and programs for their school;
including driving enrolment, by-law updates and governance, results review and
viable space utilization amongst other priorities. This is in addition to
managing their already busy, full lives.
I encourage you to get
engaged in even the smallest way; regardless of whether you have children
attending Edmonton Public, or not. Last year one parent group I know of began
utilizing the previously untapped resource of retired neighbours with great
success. I guarantee that watching a grand-parent engage with students on a
one-to-one basis will be the ultimate ‘win-win’.
I know some remarkable parent
groups in Ward C and would love the opportunity to advocate for you as
accurately as possible after the election on October 21st. Reach out today at ketteringham@shaw.ca
or via cell at 587 988 5310 and share your concerns, hopes and dreams for the
future of public education in Edmonton.
It's an incredible effort to get everything off the ground for sure! I hope people take you up on your offer because you were able to make a huge difference in our little council and PAC!
ReplyDeleteThanks Marina!
ReplyDelete