Get Involved with Your School's Parent Associations

Parental involvement is one of the keys to a child's academic success. Many of us may think of involvement as taking the time to read with our children, helping with or supervising homework, sending in cookies for the occasional class party of bake sale - or maybe helping to chaperone a dance or field trip.

Regular involvement at the school can be a little daunting at first. Some parents may worry about whether they can handle a regular commitment, with all the other things they have to do in a given week. Parents may also be put off by the maze of different committees and organizations at the school, not knowing which one is the right one for them.

Governing Board

If you were expecting to join the PTA when your kids started school, think again. No such creature in Montreal! Quebec education law requires every school to have a governing board, which is responsible for such things as approval of the school's rules of conduct and disciplinary measures, student services, special education, allocation of time per subject, educational program of the school, etc. The governing board is composed of parent representatives, members of the teaching and support staff, and members of the community. If the governing board serves a secondary school with students in the second cycle (Secondary III, IV, V) there will also be student representatives.

Parent Participation Organization

The Education Act says that the parents of the school decide each year whether or not to have a parent participation organization (PPO.) This happens at a meeting in September that is open to all parents. During this meeting, parent representatives to the governing board are elected as well.

The Act says, "The purpose of a parent participation organization is to encourage the collaboration of parents in developing, implementing and periodically evaluating the school's educational project and their participation in fostering their child's success." However, in some schools the PPO may be more involved in activities such as fund raising and organizing special events such as parties and school concerts.

Home and School Association

Another optional organization, but a popular one in many schools because it is an autonomous entity, is the Home and School Association. Home and School Associations can be found in every province in Canada. The provincial and national federations to which they belong are registered non-profit organizations. In addition to the ability to issue tax receipts for fund raising, the independence of each association affords it greater control over activities and how funds will be used. One drawback, especially in lower income areas, is the associations charge a membership fee to parents who want to be involved. Some parents feel this is like being charged a fee in order to volunteer for their child's school.

Sources:

Canadian Home and School Federation

Quebec Education Act

For more info on Parents' Committees:

Québec Federation of Parents' Committees

For more info about Home & School Associations:

Quebec Federation of Home & School Associations