Agenda Item 13.1: Central Parents’ Committee Report

Council of Commissioners’ Regular Meeting December 19, 2005

Meeting held Thursday, December 8, 2005

Governing Board Manual: The Governing Board Manual was approved for distribution. Five copies will be sent to each school. The manual responds to requests made over the years to have information available to assist Governing Boards in their operation. CPC is looking forward to helping the school board keep the manual up-to-date and assist in future training.

Town Hall Meeting: Our members were advised of the details regarding the upcoming Town Hall. Many questions were generated and responded to by the commissioners present.

Success Plan Reporting: Each year, according to section 83 of the Education Act, Governing Boards must report to the parents and school staff on the implementation of the success plan. Some GBs received reports from the principal, and it was felt that clarification is needed as to the role administration and GBs play in the reporting process.

Number of School Days: Questions were raised as to how strike days would be made up. Members were advised that this will be looked at in the near future, once the board has determined the extent of days lost.

Hot Topics:

  • Much discussion was generated by Sector 4’s report on the presentation given at their November meeting by a CLSC nurse. The important service that is provided by the school nurse, and the sex education programs that are given at certain grade levels, are not always known by parents. It was recommended that parents be advised of these courses as they would any other course being offered at the school.
  • Many questions were also raised regarding the additional 90 minutes at the elementary level next year. Members are eagerly awaiting any information/guidelines from the ministry and school board level.

February Networking Event: CPC’s February meeting will be replaced by a networking event for all parent reps. Leo La France and Marcus Tabachnick will be our special guests that evening to speak about the MSC decisions, as well as respond to any other topics of interest/concern to parents.

Quebec Federation of Parent Committees: The QFPC is undergoing a consultation of all parent committees across the province. Following the recent adoption of their 2005-2010 Strategic Plan, the QFPC would like to bring the federation and parent committees closer together in order to better meet their needs.

The next CPC meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 11, at 7:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Williams-Rae

Secondary Parent Commissioner