The Ministry of Education has created a list of helpful tips for School Councils on involving parents in the school.
Visit the Ministry website for tips on the following topics:
- Create an inclusive welcome: Some parents may not be comfortable in a school setting. For example, newcomers to Canada may have experienced a very different school setting and may need to familiarize themselves with the school environment. These tips will help you create a school climate that makes parents feel comfortable and welcome.
- Break down barriers to participation: Many parents would welcome the opportunity to engage in the school community but face barriers to involvement. These tips will help you encourage more parents to get involved by addressing issues such as child care, language, transportation and accessibility to school events and programs.
- School events: Creative school events that appeal to the needs and interests of parents provide a key introduction to the school. These tips will help you develop events that will engage parent involvement to help support student achievement and well-being.
- Get the word out: Communication is essential to building parent involvement. What parents know and perceive about the school depends on what they see, hear and read. These tips will help you use a variety of communications tools to keep parents informed and engaged in the life of the school.
- Be persistent: Building parent involvement is a process. An effective parent involvement program will take place over months rather than days, and with continued effort, will be sustained over years. These tips will help you maintain consistent parent contact and spread the school message within the wider community.