The joint school council of St. Marys is looking for new members, not only
to help shape how the youth in our community learn, but also potentially
where they will learn in the future.
With an accommodation review of Arthur Meighen and Central schools now
underway, and with a proposal to house a new facility at DCVI, getting
involved with either the respective school councils or the joint council is
more important than ever, believes joint council chair Frances Latham.
“The accommodation review is such an opportunity for our community,” says
Latham, adding that, if the facility is really well thought out before the
build, “it can only help the community by  making it a ‘destination school’
for teachers and students alike.”
Members of the councils will be on the accommodation review committees, and
help appoint community members to the committees as well. “It is a time to
get opinions from a lot of people,” Latham says, adding that you don’t have
to be a parent of a school-aged child to be on the council, or on the
accommodation review committee.
“Good ideas come from people putting their heads together and thinking
things through,” she says. “Community involvement is critical.”
In the past two years of the school councils’ existence, it has focussed on
matters of universal concern, such as how to implement the Avon-Maitland
District School Board’s Character Education initiative, and co-ordinating
events such as meet-the-teacher nights.
Aside from the accommodation review, Latham says, this year will be one of
definition for the council. While the past two years of the council have
focussed on issues of universal concern, such as the Avon-Maitland District
School Board’s “Character Education” initiative, she is hoping that members
will help guide the council’s direction.
“It’s about supporting the teachers and principals in the community; see how
they’re interpreting what curriculum is about and make bigger things happen
if need be,” she says.
Each individual council meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month
at DCVI (the next meeting is November 6) and then the joint council meet at
7:30 p.m. in the school’s library. Those interesting in joining can DETAILS
TK.
The council is made up of parents, community members, teachers and
principals from South Perth, St. Marys Central and Arthur Meighen public
schools, St. Marys DCVI and representatives from the Perth District Health
Unit.