September 2015 Newsletter

For a printable version of the newsletter, please go to: http://bit.ly/sktcsc201509newsletter

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Welcome back to another school year!  We hope you had a wonderful summer and we look forward to another year of fun activities for the students and their families.

School Council will be hosting the Meet the Teacher Night Pizza Social which will be held on Thursday, September 17^th at 6:00pm in the school gym right before Meet the Teacher Night which starts at 6:30pm.  This social is an opportunity for parents to meet other parents at the school in an informal setting.  We will have some pizza and drinks available.

SKT and School Council is always in need of volunteers.  The learning commons is in particular need of volunteers.  If you are able to volunteer for the school and/or school council, please fill out the Parent/Guardian Interest Form and return it to the school before Friday, September 18^th.  You can also complete the form online at: http://bit.ly/sktcscSept2015InterestForm

Our first School Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 22^nd at 7pm in the Learning Commons at the school.  All parents/guardians are encouraged to attend this meeting!  School Council is always looking for new members to help us create a more positive school environment for our children.  For a description of the roles and responsibilities of SKT Council, please see below.

For more information about the SKT School Council, you can look at what we accomplished last year on our School Council website.  In addition if you have any questions, you can contact us via email or by leaving a note at the school (addressed to School Council).

As we are a green friendly school, this will be the last paper newsletter that we will be sending out to all families.  If you are interested in continuing to receive paper copies of the school and School Council newsletter, please fill out the Paper Newsletter Form and return it to the school before Friday, September 18^th.

We look forward to meeting you at the Pizza Social or at our first council meeting!

SKT School Council

Email: skt.council.ocsb@gmail.com

Web:    sktcatholicschoolcouncil.blogspot.ca

Twitter: SKTCouncilOCSB


School Council Roles and Responsibilities

Parent Members*

·         Attends and participates in CSC meetings and on ad hoc committees.

·         Votes on issues as required.

·         Participates in information and training programs.

·         Acts as a communication link with school community.

Chair (or 2 Co-Chairs if applicable)*

·         Communicates on an on-going basis with the School Principal

·         sets the dates and times of meetings

·         establishes the meeting agenda

·         Chairs school council meetings.

·         Ensures a record of meetings are recorded and maintained.

·         Ensures that the school community is kept informed on CSC proceedings and activities.

·         Represents the council at special functions.

·         Acts as a spokesperson for the CSC.

·         Consults with senior board staff and trustees, as required.

·         Participates in information and training sessions.

·         Ensures follow-up on items raised by council members.

·         Ensures council members are familiar with the local constitution/by-laws.

Vice-Chair (if applicable)

·         Assumes acting role in the absence of the Chair.

·         Assumes any other duties as assigned by the Chair.

Secretary*

·         Records, distributes and maintains records of CSC meetings and correspondence related to CSC meetings.

·         Ensures the record of decision is distributed no less than one (1) week after each meeting.

·         Ensures access to SKT CSC records by the school community.

·         Ensures that a copy of the record is provided to the school for the school community.

Treasurer*

·         Develops a budget at least one year out, at the direction of the Chair and the CSC.

·         Maintains a record of SKT CSC funds and financial activities as required by Board policy and in keeping with common accounting practices.

·         Co-signs cheques for payment of goods and services.

·         Prepares an annual, written financial statement for review and approval of the CSC.

·         Ensures access to CSC financial records by the school community.

·         Ensures that a copy of the financial record is provided to the school for access by the school community.

School Council Parent Association Representative (appointed position)

·         Reports and consults with the CSC on issues referred by the Board and/or the Parent Association.

·         Represents the opinions of parents in their school community.

·         Represents and expresses the majority view of the CSC.

·         Attends the Ottawa Catholic School Council Parent Association meetings.

Parish Representative (appointed position)

·         Brings the concerns of the parish regarding Catholic education to the CSC.

·         Serves to disseminate the suggestions, orientations, activities and concerns of the CSC to the wider parish communities.

·         Assists in promoting, aligning and co-ordinating the liturgical celebrations and other activities of the parishes, school and community as required.

·         Assists in maintaining the Catholic dimension in the total school community.

Community Representative (appointed position)

·         Reflects the views of the local community and brings forth concerns to the CSC.

·         Provides a link between the CSC and the community.