One of the most important ways parents/guardians and community members can make a meaningful difference for students is by participating on the school council. Under the Education Act, a school council is a collective association designed to advise the principal and the CBE Board of Trustees on matters related to the school. School councils have legislated advisory and decision-making authority defined within the Education Act and the School Councils Regulation. They are different from Parent Societies & Associations, whose main function is to raise funds for the school. You can find more details in the CBE School Council Handbook.
Upcoming Meeting Dates
Meeting Agendas & Minutes
About Our School Council
Parents and guardians play an important role in strengthening our school community. By participating in Sherwood School Council and Parent Society, families have an opportunity to share their perspectives, stay connected to what is happening at the school, and work collaboratively to support student learning, experiences, and well being.
School Council and Parent Society meetings are open to all Sherwood parents and guardians, and everyone is welcome to attend. You do not need to hold an executive position or make a long term commitment to participate. Meetings provide an opportunity to hear school updates, contribute ideas, ask questions, participate in discussions, and learn more about the many exciting things happening at Sherwood.
Throughout the year, committees and volunteer opportunities may also be established to support areas such as fundraising, school events, Healthy Hunger, community building initiatives, and other activities that enhance the student and family experience at Sherwood.
Whether you are able to attend regularly, volunteer for a specific event, join a committee, or simply come to learn more, your voice and participation are valued.
Visit the Sherwood School Get Involved webpage for meeting dates, information about School Council and Parent Society, and opportunities to participate.
Come connect, contribute, and be part of the Sherwood community!
Contact Our School Council
email | sherwoodschoolcouncil@gmail.com
School Council Members
Chair: Jess Vergata
Vice Chair: VACANT, we would love someone to join us!
Treasurer: Cassandra Blair
Secretary: Jennifer Whyte
Fundraising: Brittny Folvik
Social Media: Laura Combden
Healthy Hunger: Sabine Arbeitere & Lori Cheng
Director at Large: Traci Campbell
School Council Roles
President
- The President shall have general knowledge of all activities of the Society and will carry out duties assigned by the Society.
- The President shall call all Meetings of the Board and shall preside at all General Meetings of the Membership and Meetings of the Board.
- The President will be the chief spokesperson for the Society, unless otherwise delegated.
- The President shall be copied on all Society communications and will review any communications to the membership, parent body, School community or public prior to distribution and shall include the Vice-President in same.
- The President shall have a vote at any meeting.
- The President will be an ex-officio member of all Committees.
Vice-President
- The Vice-President shall assist the President in all Society activities and will carry out other duties assigned by the President.
- In the event of absence, resignation, incapacity or extended leave of absence of the President, the Vice-President shall fulfill the responsibilities of the President until the next elections at the AGM. The President’s position remains vacant until the new President is elected.
- In the absence of both the President and the Vice-President from meetings, a Chair may be elected or appointed at the meeting to preside.
- The Vice-President will be copied on all Society communications and will review any communications to the membership, parent body, School community or public prior to distribution.
Secretary
- It shall be the duty of the Secretary to attend all General Meetings of the Membership and Meetings of the Board, to keep accurate minutes of the same, and to prepare these for distribution.
- In the absence of the Secretary, his/her duties shall be discharged by such Officer or Director as may be appointed by the Board.
- The Secretary shall have charge of all Society membership forms, correspondence and/or documentation and be under the direction of the President and the Board. All documentation, literature, correspondence, forms, thumb drives, etc. are the property of the Society. The outgoing Secretary shall transition this property to the incoming Secretary at the end of his/her term.
- The Secretary shall keep an accurate Register of Members of the Society, including contact information, as required by the Societies Act, and shall send all Society correspondence/notices as required.
Treasurer
- The Treasurer shall receive all monies paid to the Society and be responsible for the deposit of same in whatever Bank, Trust Company, Credit Union or Treasury Branch the Board may order.
- The Treasurer shall properly account for the funds of the Society, keep such books as may be directed and disburse funds as required. All records, receipts, documentation, forms, thumb drives, etc. are the property of the Society. The outgoing Treasurer shall transition this property to the incoming Treasurer at the end of his/her term.
- The Treasurer shall present a full detailed account of receipts and disbursements to the Board whenever requested and shall prepare for submission to the Annual General Meeting of the Membership a duly audited statement of the financial position of the Society and shall submit a copy of same to the Secretary for the records of the Society.
- The Treasurer will prepare, and submit with Board approval, any financial reports required by organizations and agencies in a timely manner.
- The signing authorities of the financial accounts will be a minimum of two elected Officers of the Society.
What the list means:
President
- Attend all meetings, run the meetings and keep the meetings in order and on course
- Edit and approve all meeting minutes before they are sent out to council
- Keep the Principal and Vice Principal informed of Society doings (they usually attend the meetings so this step is done at each meeting), occasional meetings
- Prepare Agenda for each meeting
- Make sure the Society is following the Bylaws/ code of conduct (keeping on topic and talking about appropriate topics)
- Be informed of all Society's activities
- Share any correspondence with the Society's Vice President
- Save correspondence, agenda, treasure reports and meeting minutes on the google drive
Vice-President
- Assist the President in any or all duties
- Run the meeting in the absence of the President
- Be included in all correspondence, sent to you by the President
Secretary
- Attend all meetings
- Take minutes of meetings
- Share with President for editing and approval
- Hand out membership forms. collect forms and enter information into our google doc, then destroy
- Have a general knowledge of the Bylaws
Treasurer
- Review monthly statements from RBC.
- Prepare monthly Treasurer report and file backups.
- Receive the "Current Use of Proceeds List" from AGLC in September and review.
- Receive and review the annual spending requests from the school in Sept/Oct for both the General and Casino accounts.
- Renew Insurance (paperwork and cheque) in October.
- Finalize annual report (July 1 of previous year to June 30 of current year) for approval at AGM in October, have two auditors review. Following the AGM, complete the register of executive and submit AGLC, CRA and Alberta Registries when required Change signing Authorities at RBC (as required, after the AGM) Support Casino Chairperson as-required (e.g. writing cheques for the casino advisor).
- File the CRA Annual Return before December 31. This includes the annual report noted above.
- Submit the Society Annual Return with Alberta Registries before January 31. This includes the annual report noted above. Re-start paper filing system to begin July 1.
- Prepare annual report for the period July 1 of previous year to June 30 of current year (this will be presented at the AGM).
- Submit the AGLC Annual Return for the period June 1, of previous year to May 31, of current year before August 11.
Additional CBE Resources
- CBE School Council page
- CBE School Council Handbook
- CBE Connections | For school communities
- CBE Administrative Regulation 5001 – School Councils and School/Parent Societies
- School Councils Regulation 94/2019
- Social Media Guidelines for School Councils
- Alberta School Councils' Association (ASCA) website