School Council Roles

Our Contribution

Everyone is welcome to join Equinox School Council – no experience required, just care and compassion for our community and interest in supporting our school.

School councils within Toronto District School Board are made up of a mix of roles. What individuals bring to these roles will differ based on experience and interests, strengths and personalities, and time available, but these are generally the responsibilities of the roles, in no particular order.

School Council Chair and/or Co-chair and/or Vice-chair:

  • Arranges for School Council meetings
  • Prepares agendas for School Council meetings
  • Chairs School Council meetings
  • Ensures that minutes of School Council meetings are recorded and maintained
  • Facilitates conflict resolution
  • Communicates with the Principal on behalf of the School Council and parent/guardian community
  • Consults with senior board Staff and Trustees as required on behalf of the School Council
  • Acts as ex officio members of school committees
  • Ensures completion of the School Statements of Needs (SSON) in collaboration with parents/guardians
  • Vote on School Council expenses and initiatives as required, and other General Member responsibilities

Communications Lead:

  • Sends school council emails to school community, coordinating Principal review and approval
  • Manages school social media accounts
  • Updates school council website content (especially around enrolment time)
  • Contributes school council content to the school newsletter, Hiawatha Herald
  • Vote on School Council expenses and initiatives as required, and other General Member responsibilities

Secretary/Meeting Recorder:

  • Completes records of all meetings
  • Assists the Chair in the distribution of minutes to all School Council members, ensure minutes, once approved, are available to the Communications Lead to publish
  • Vote on School Council expenses and initiatives as required, and other General Member responsibilities

Treasurer:

  • Acts, in collaboration with office administrator, as custodian of the funds of the School Council, tracking spending
  • Tracks receipts and disbursement by office administrator of School Council monies
  • Keeps proper records of all financial transactions;
  • Prepares School Council’s year-end financial records in June of each year
  • Adheres to the financial protocol instructions outlined in the School Council Financial Guide
  • Vote on School Council expenses and initiatives as required and other General Member responsibilities

Principal:

  • Acts as a resource person to the School Council and assists the School Council in obtaining information relevant to its functions, including information relating to relevant legislation and policies. (Reg. 613/20)
  • Solicit the views of the School Council with respect to:
    • school policies and guidelines that relate to student achievement or to the accountability of the education system to parents/caregivers
    • a local code of conduct and a local student dress code
    • new education initiatives that relate to students or to the accountability of the education system
    • school action plans for improvement based on EQAO results and communication of those plans to the public. (Reg. 613/1-3)
  • Consider each recommendation made by the School Council and advise the School Council of the action taken in response to the recommendation (Reg. 613/18);
  • Distribute the School Council’s annual report to every parents/caregiver and post it in an accessible location (Reg. 613/24.3);
  • Distribute materials intended for School Council from the Ministry of Education to School
    Council members and post them in an accessible location (Reg. 613/12.1);
  • Give written notice of the elections to parents / caregivers at least 14 days before the election and post such notice in an accessible location (Reg. 612/6 & 7);
  • Attend meetings of the School Council or designate a delegate (Reg. 613/3.16).

Elected (or acclaimed) General Members of School Council:

  • Represent the views and the opinions of the parents/caregiver community
  • Attend and participate in all meetings
  • Lead and participate on School Council committees
  • Are encouraged to participate and to facilitate any events that the School Council holds during the
    school year
  • Vote on School Council expenses and initiatives as required

Alternative School Advisory Committee Representative:

  • Attends ASCAC meetings as a representative of Equinox
  • Reports back to Equinox School Council and the school community about issues and opportunities for alternative education within TDSB
  • Vote on School Council expenses and initiatives as required and other General Member responsibilities

Teacher Representative

  • Attend Council meetings and provide information/update on relevant events and activities

Elections for Equinox School Council happen in the first weeks of each new school year and the terms are for one year. 

As we’re a small school, our council positions are almost always all acclaimed so you needn’t worry about campaign signs and buttons – there’s room for everyone who wants to help! And that help is gratefully received. To join school council, watch your email at the beginning of the year, or reach out to the office to express interest.

2022-2023 School Council

Co-Chairs: Clare Hacksel & Robyn Switzer

Communications Lead: Alanna Goldstein

Secretary: Sunny Freeman

Treasurer: Genevieve Kenny

Alternative School Advisory Committee Rep: TBD

General Members:

Allie Martin
Andrea Schneider
Ben Blakey
Denise Handlarski
Diana Fleming
Sinéad Rafferty
Vanessa Chudy

Thanks for visiting. This website is a work in progress, updated by Equinox community volunteers.