Four parent positions available, apply by April 22

The Peel District School Board's Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) will select four new parent members to serve two-year terms that start September 2011 to August 2013. The PIC meets regularly throughout the school year to review the board's plans for parent involvement as they relate to parent, family and community engagement, and to make suggestions to schools, councils and the board regarding additional parent outreach.

"The Parent Involvement Committee provides us with a direct link to parents," says Tony Pontes, director of education. "Committee members provide feedback on a variety of topics and make suggestions on how we can enhance meaningful parent involvement in the Peel board-the committee is a valuable resource to the board."

As mandated by the Ministry of Education, the purpose of Peel board's PIC is to:

• support, encourage, and enhance meaningful parental involvement within schools and across the district, including, outreach to parents who find involvement more challenging
• work collaboratively with the school board to support student success
• seek out the advice and ideas of school councils, and other parents and partners as they plan and implement strategies to involve more parents at the regional level
• develop strategies for enhancing parental engagement and outreach

• reflects the diversity of the community
• understands the importance of parent, family and community engagement
• has experience working with newcomers to Canada, Ontario or Peel
• has volunteer experience - including experience on school council
• has previous experience in Peel board parent involvement activities
• demonstrates advocacy and community development skills
• has a present level of involvement in the education system
• demonstrates a keen interest in public education