Parent Council 2023-24
- Chairperson: Laurel Bryan
- Co-Chairperson: Michelle McDonald
- Secretary: Sanaz Jewell
- Co-Secretary: Brad Taylor
- Treasurer: Jessie Robitaille
Mission Statement
School councils are created to encourage and support parent involvement in their children's education. The River Heights School Advisory Council meets on a monthly basis to discuss issues affecting our children’s education and seeks ways of optimizing their learning. Council works as a team of parents, administration and teachers to ensure school policies, programs and services and the allocation of funds to best support this learning.
Council's Goals
- encourage parents to participate and be involved in making decisions that affect their children
- advocate for families at monthly meetings with school administration and teacher representatives
- keep families informed of council initiatives
- support initiatives that benefit our children and the school
- fundraise as a means to financially support school programs or experiences
- apply for grants to help achieve our wish list goals and reach out to parents
What Do We Do?
Volunteer Programs, including Pizza Days, Sub Days, Lunch Lady, Spirit Wear, Mistletoe Market, Read-a-thon, Lice Checks, Staff Appreciation, Track and Field BBQ, Year End BBQ and Snacks, Snacks for EQAO Testing
Fundraising programs, including DFS Christmas, Big Box of Cards, Bean Ladies, and Drive 4UR Community.
This year Parent Council has already raised over $30,000.00! Thank you so much for all your support!
What Has the Money Been Used for in the Past?
Smart Board, FM Systems, Classroom Supplies, Agendas, Year-End Students Awards, Grade 8 Graduation, New Playground, Classroom Fans, Gym Mats, Playground Toys, Tables and Chairs, Guest Speakers, and so much more...
What's New?
This year we are excited to be working with the School to bring to River Heights a beautiful electronic sign. The sign will be installed along the river side of the school property and will light up and be able to offer information/messages electronically! These programs are solely run by parent volunteers with school support. This year we have faced a great deal of adversity with only a small group of volunteers doing all of the work. You can help by volunteering.
Parent Council meetings are held once a month, starting at 6 p.m. and last for approximately 1-1.5 hours.
School Council members can be reached either by email at chairhs@granderie.ca or a note can be left in the Council mailbox in the school office.
How to Join RHS Parent Council
One of the best ways to participate in your child’s school is by joining the School Council. There is no better way to know what’s happening at the school than by becoming a member of Council.
The River Heights School Council meets regularly with the Principal, Vice Principal and Teacher Representatives to share mutual concerns and goals. Being a member also means you have the ability to vote on important school issues and be involved in decisions around school organization, programs, and capital improvements.
No experience or prior involvement is necessary, and you do not need to be a committee member to become involved. ALL parents and caregivers are welcome to all meetings, and minutes of each meeting are posted on the School Council bulletin board.
Why You Should Join and Attend Meetings
Involvement in School Council is a meaningful, “hands-on” way to have a direct, positive impact on your child’s educational experience. We hope you consider joining us!
Elections for Council are held and membership applications are considered in September at the first meeting of the school year.
Join us at one of our school council meetings! The School Advisory Council welcomes all parents and care givers to attend meetings. Discussions include a range of topics and school staff provides information on what is happening in the school, recent initiatives and obtain parent feedback regarding various issues.
Some meetings feature guests who share topics of interest. This also includes listening to proposals from various organizations that may provide services or activities to the students and the school.
Council meetings are held monthly at the school at 6 p.m. Meetings last approximately 1-1.5 hours. Our Principal and Vice Principal, along with representatives of the teaching staff, join us to give their input.
Free babysitting is provided at all meetings in one of the school classrooms. Grade 8 students who have taken the babysitting course offer this service.
For more information, contact Laurel Bryan, our Chairperson, or leave a note in the Council mailbox in the school office.
Volunteer
Teamwork divides the task and doubles the success! Volunteers are an essential component of any successful school.
Volunteers are needed throughout the year for:
- Daytime volunteers for council supported activities (i.e. Mistletoe Market, Track and Field BBQ, Lice Checks)
- Pizza volunteer for Thursdays to help deliver pizza to classrooms
- Fundraising sorting of orders
- Fundraising money counters
- Lice checkers (3 times per year)
- Council members (attend evening meetings 1 per month and assist with planning and decision making)
- Manage a fundraising event
Please, if you can help with just one event, it will benefit your child and the school. Even 1-2 hours will make a difference. Contact the council chairperson, Laurel Bryan, to get involved.
In a continued effort to provide a safe environment for our students, Board policies dictate that all volunteers must present to the school, the original copy of a Police Records Check completed within the last six months. Police checks need to be updated every TWO years. While we recognize that obtaining Police checks may be an inconvenience, we know that you will understand that this requirement is for the safety of your children and the students under our care.
As well, all volunteers and community partners working in our schools are required to complete an online AODA training module in addition to providing the school with a valid police check every two years. Once you complete the training, you will receive the certificate acknowledging completion.
Updated: September 22, 2023