Dartmouth, NS

In the belief that it truly does take a village to raise a child, staff, students, parents, and representatives from various community organizations make up the School Advisory Council (SAC) at Caledonia Junior High School in Dartmouth, NS.

This committee allows parents to take a hands-on approach to their children’s education, giving them a say in school policy, extra-curricular activities, fundraising and more. Members work together with the school’s administration to provide advice, guidance and support, promoting a positive learning experience, socialization skills and academic excellence.

In accordance with the Education Act of Nova Scotia, each school within the Halifax Regional School Board must have a School Advisory Council. Its legislated responsibilities include working with school administration to develop and recommend a school improvement plan, preparing an annual report and participating in the principal selection process.

The SAC does not get involved with disputes between students or parents and school staff, but parent and community members are on the school’s discipline committee, which reviews all student suspensions of more than five days when proposed by the principal, and serves as an appeal committee when a shorter suspension is appealed.

The council’s fundraising efforts—such as auctions, magazine subscription sales and collecting recyclables and store receipts—support annual cross-cultural travel and learning opportunities for Caledonia Junior High students, particularly those without the resources to fund these activities on their own. In 2007, opportunities included a five-day trip to Quebec City for Grade 9 students and camping at Tatamagouche, NS, for Grade 7 students.

The Caledonia Junior High SAC meets at least once every month, and meetings are open to observers.

For more information contact:
Roy Jamieson, Chair
Caledonia School Advisory Council
38 Caledonia Road, Dartmouth, NS B2X 1K8
(902) 462-5890 (H) or (902) 426-9889 (O)
saccaj@staff.ednet.ns.ca
 

---