Parental involvement is essential for school success, yet some schools struggle to get parents engaged in school councils, volunteer programs, and decision-making. Many Catholic School Councils (CSC) and school-led initiatives lack support, making it difficult to implement new programs, organize fundraising, or advocate for better school resources.
So why do some schools have strong parent engagement, while others struggle to find volunteers and fill CSC positions? In this blog, we’ll explore the common reasons for low parental involvement and practical solutions to increase engagement in schools.
📍 Why Are Parents Not Engaging in Some Schools?
1. Lack of Awareness
Many parents are not aware of:
• What the Catholic School Council (CSC) does and how it impacts their child’s education.
• How to get involved in school decisions and parent-led initiatives.
• Why their participation is important for school improvement, student success, and policy-making.
📌 Solution:
• Schools should actively communicate CSC opportunities through newsletters, emails, and social media.
• Host information sessions for parents on the role of CSC and other volunteer opportunities.
• Create an FAQ section on the school website explaining CSC’s purpose, upcoming meetings, and how parents can get involved.
2. Busy Schedules & Time Constraints
Many parents have full-time jobs, multiple children, or personal commitments that make it difficult to:
• Attend CSC meetings, parent-teacher events, or volunteer activities.
• Be available during school hours for field trips, fundraising, or school events.
📌 Solution:
• Offer flexible participation options, including virtual CSC meetings and evening events.
• Provide opportunities for parents to contribute from home, such as event planning or research.
3. Language & Cultural Barriers
Some parents do not speak English fluently or are unfamiliar with the Canadian school system, making them hesitant to engage.
📌 Solution:
• Provide translated materials in the school’s most commonly spoken languages.
• Offer interpretation services for CSC meetings and school events.
• Encourage diverse parent representation on CSC to reflect the school’s community.
4. Feeling Unwelcome or Intimidated
Some parents assume that school councils are for a specific group of parents or that they don’t have the experience to contribute. Others might feel like decisions are already made without their input.
📌 Solution:
• Personally invite parents to CSC meetings and introduce them to current members.
• Make it clear that no prior experience is needed—all parents can contribute.
• Create a welcoming, inclusive environment where different perspectives are valued.
5. Poor Communication from Schools
Some schools do not actively promote CSC meetings, volunteer opportunities, or school events, leading to:
• Low parent awareness of engagement opportunities.
• Parents assuming the school doesn’t need volunteers.
📌 Solution:
• Use multiple communication channels (email, WhatsApp groups, flyers, school websites).
• Regularly update parents about CSC meetings, decisions, and upcoming events.
• Create a CSC WhatsApp or Facebook group where parents can ask questions and receive updates.
6. Lack of Support from School Administration
Some school administrators do not actively encourage CSC or parent involvement, leading to low engagement and limited parental influence.
📌 Solution:
• Ensure school leadership actively promotes CSC and other parent-involvement initiatives.
• Encourage principals and teachers to attend CSC meetings to show collaboration between staff and parents.
• Work with school staff to ensure that CSC activities are aligned with school goals.
7. Resistance to Fundraising Responsibilities
Many parents associate school council participation with fundraising work and feel pressured to constantly ask for donations.
📌 Solution:
• Emphasize that CSC is more than fundraising—it’s about school policies, parent advocacy, and student success.
• Offer non-fundraising roles, such as event planning, policy discussions, and school improvement projects.
• Show clear breakdowns of how fundraising benefits students.
8. Parents Feel Their Voice Won’t Make a Difference
Some parents believe that decisions are already made by the school board and that their input won’t change anything.
📌 Solution:
• Show examples of past CSC successes and how parent involvement led to changes.
• Educate parents on their role in influencing school decisions.
• Offer opportunities for parents to suggest topics for CSC meetings.
📍 How to Increase Parent Engagement in Schools
To encourage more parental involvement, schools need to make it easy, accessible, and rewarding. Here are some practical solutions:
1. Conduct a Parent Engagement Survey
A short survey can help identify why parents are not participating and what would encourage them to get involved.
📌 Survey Questions Could Include:
• Have you ever attended a CSC meeting? If not, why?
• What prevents you from volunteering at school?
• What type of engagement opportunities interest you most?
• What is the best time for meetings/events?
• How would you like to receive school updates?
2. Offer Multiple Ways for Parents to Get Involved
Not every parent can attend meetings, but they might be willing to:
• Participate in one-time events instead of year-long commitments.
• Contribute ideas through online surveys or email feedback.
3. Improve School Communication
• Send reminders about meetings and events through emails, flyers, WhatsApp groups, and text alerts.
• Ensure the school website and newsletters have clear CSC updates.
• Provide personal invitations to parents for meetings.
4. Show the Impact of Parent Involvement
• Highlight real stories of how CSC efforts benefited the school.
• Recognize and appreciate parent volunteers publicly.
• Include CSC success stories in newsletters and social media posts.
5. Create a Parent Buddy System
• Pair new parents with experienced CSC members to help them get involved.
• Offer orientation sessions for new families explaining how to participate in school activities.
6. Recognize Parent Contributions
• Organize a Parent Volunteer Appreciation Event.
• Offer small incentives for CSC participation (e.g., coffee meet-ups, certificates of recognition).
📍 Final Thoughts: Strengthening Parent-School Partnerships
Parental involvement is key to student success, yet many schools struggle to engage parents due to time constraints, lack of awareness, and communication barriers.
By implementing clear outreach strategies, offering flexible engagement options, and creating a welcoming environment, schools can encourage more parents to participate in school councils, volunteer work, and decision-making.
📌 What has your school done to improve parent engagement? Share your thoughts in the comments! 🚀
Yan Zhou on Catholic Education & Advocacy 
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