How to Join a Catholic School Council: A Guide for YCDSB Parents

📌 Joining your school’s Catholic School Council (CSC) is one of the best ways to get involved in your child’s education and contribute to the school community. As a YCDSB parent, you have the opportunity to participate in school decisions, fundraising, and initiatives that benefit students. This guide explains how you can join and make a difference!

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📌 What Is a Catholic School Council?

A Catholic School Council (CSC) is a group of parents, school staff, and community members who work together to enhance student learning, improve school resources, and strengthen home-school partnerships.

Who Can Join?

✔ Parents/Guardians of students enrolled in the school

✔ School Principal (non-voting member)

✔ Teachers and non-teaching staff representatives

✔ Parish Representative

✔ Community Representative (appointed by CSC)

📌 Parents play a key role in CSC and must make up the majority of the council.

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🚀 How to Join a Catholic School Council in YCDSB

1️⃣ Attend the School Council Election Meeting

✔ Every YCDSB school holds a Catholic School Council election in September.

✔ The election meeting is announced via school newsletters, emails, or the school website.

📌 Check with your school office if you are unsure about the election date.

2️⃣ Nominate Yourself (or Another Parent)

✔ Fill out a CSC Nomination Form (provided by the school before the election).

✔ Parents can nominate themselves or another parent for a position.

✔ Submit the form before the deadline (usually a few days before the election).

3️⃣ Attend the First CSC Meeting & Elections

✔ If there are fewer nominations than available positions, all nominated parents automatically join the council.

✔ If there are more nominations than spots available, a vote will take place at the first meeting.

✔ After elections, members vote for executive positions (Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer).

📌 You don’t need to hold an executive position to be part of CSC—any parent can join and contribute!

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🎓 Roles & Responsibilities in a Catholic School Council

✅ General Members (All Parents on CSC)

✔ Attend monthly meetings and discuss school initiatives.

✔ Help plan events, fundraising, and parent engagement activities.

✔ Provide feedback on school policies, learning resources, and student well-being.

✅ Executive Positions (Elected by CSC Members)

✔ Chair – Leads meetings, sets the agenda, and represents the council.

✔ Vice-Chair – Supports the Chair and steps in when needed.

✔ Secretary – Takes meeting minutes and manages CSC records.

✔ Treasurer – Manages finances and fundraising efforts.

📌 You can participate as a general member without taking on an executive role.

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📋 Why Join a Catholic School Council?

✔ Make a difference – Help improve school resources, fundraising, and student experiences.

✔ Have a voice – Advocate for issues important to parents and students.

✔ Stay informed – Get direct updates from the principal about school policies and programs.

✔ Meet other parents – Build connections and become part of the school community.

📌 CSC members have an advisory role—decisions are made collaboratively with the principal and school board policies.

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📢 Final Thoughts: Get Involved & Make an Impact!

✔ Every parent at YCDSB is welcome to join a Catholic School Council—no prior experience is needed.

✔ Elections happen in September—watch for announcements from your school.

✔ You can contribute in many ways—attending meetings, helping with events, or taking an executive role.

📌 For more parent advocacy resources, explore the YCDSB Resource Library! 🚀