School Community Councils

Video above features SCC members discussing the value of networking with SCC members from other schools.

Over 250 parents, community members, secondary students, teachers and school-based administrators are members of School Community Councils (SCCs) in 23 Sun West schools.

SCCs play a crucial leadership role in advancing education in the Division and across Saskatchewan.

Through an advisory and practical manner, SCCs assist school administrators and the Board of Education in the following key areas:

• developing shared responsibility for the learning success and well-being of all children and youth;
• encouraging and facilitating parent, community and youth engagement in school planning and improvement processes;
• delivering educational and extracurricular programs; and
• providing the school and division with a critical link to facilitate understanding of the community.
• school learning improvement and student
• enhancing family and community engagement;
• review of school finance and other activities;
• School Community Council development.

School Community Councils are an essential feature of educational planning and decision-making.

They are part of the school system and are a primary link between the home, community and school.

Roles and Responsibilities

SCC members are involved in:

• school learning improvement;
• enhancing family and community engagement;
• review of school finance and other activities;
• School Community Council development.

School Learning Improvement Plan

The central purpose of School Community Councils is to encourage and support the involvement of parents and community as partners to improve student learning and well- being.

Each fall, SCC members are invited to join the school staff in the development of the school’s learning improvement plan. They contribute a parent and community perspective into areas for improvement. Planning results in actions that the staff takes with students and parents. These actions involve the staff and SCC working together. When schools and SCCs work together good things happen for students.

Family and Community Engagement

School Community Councils encourage and facilitate parent and community engagement in all aspects of school life. When parents are involved in their child’s learning, students do better in school and everyone benefits. Parents find it easier to help their children learn. Teachers and principals are better supported and enjoy positive relationships with parents.

Research shows that children with involved parents:

• get better grades and score higher on tests;
• attend school regularly;
• have better social skills;
• get their homework done;
• are more positive about school; and
• are more likely to graduate and go on to higher education.

(Henderson, Anne T. & Mapp, K. [2002]. A New Wave of Evidence: The Impact of School, Family and Community Connections on Students)

Sun West School Division SCCs:

• recognize the importance of parents/families in identifying and addressing children’s needs.
• help build positive relationships and create a welcoming school climate.
• support parents and make families feel valued and connected.
• view all parents/families as important and equal partners in their children’s well-being.
• focus on families' skills and strengths.
• build strong connections between schools and community organizations.
• engage in planning that creates and promote multiple opportunities for parents and the community to participate in school activities.

Sun West SCCs are committed to:

• recognizing the importance of parents/families in identifying and addressing children’s needs;
• contributing to building positive relationships and creating a welcoming school climate;
• supporting parents to help families feel valued;
• supporting parents/families as important; and
• building strong connections between schools and community organizations; and
• working collaboratively with the school staff to promote multiple opportunities for parents and the community to participate in school activities.

Resources for SCCs:

1. Administrative Procedures

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES 130 School Community Council Duties
FORM 130-1 SCC Engagement and Alignment Plan
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES 131 School Community Council Meeting and Election Processes
Form 131-1 SCC Sample Ballot
Form 131-2 SCC Contact Information
Form 131-3 School Community Council Year-End Evaluation
AP 132 SCC Finances
AP 133 SCC Communications

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2. Other Resources

‍2. School Community Councils: A Handbook for SCCs and Principals (Saskatchewan School Boards Association)

3. Sun West SCC Handbook and Orientation Guide.

4. SCC - School Learning Improvement Planning Guide.

5. SCC- Reviewing School Finances and Management of SCC Funds Handbook

6. The Principal's Role in School Community Councils