School councils
Parents play an important role in student success. School councils allow parents to participate in decisions that impact student learning. By contributing knowledge, perspective and ideas at school council meetings, parents actively contribute to the success of the school community.
Source: Alberta Education
The FPFA is there to help and support Francophone school councils in their roles and responsibilities through workshops, tools, resources, tailor-made support…
The FPFA, the official voice of Francophone parents with the Ministry of Education
Note that all Francophone school councils in Alberta are members of the FPFA. To this end, the FPFA, through its president, is in direct contact with the Minister of Education to represent the interests of Franco-Albertan students: the FPFA plays an important political role in French-language education in l ‘Alberta.
What are school councils?
School councils work to support parent engagement in the school community and to improve student learning. School councils are made up of parents, principals, teachers, high school students and community representatives who work together to support and enhance student learning. School councils provide opportunities for community members to consult and advise the principal and the school board.
In the exercise of its functions, the school council takes into consideration the dual mandate of the French-speaking school, which is both the construction of knowledge and the construction of the French-speaking identity.
To find out more about the mandate of the French-language school, see page 11 of Affirming francophone education, foundations and directions : a framework for French first language education in Alberta.
Functions of school councils
- Focus on what is best for all students in the school
- Take into account the interests of all school stakeholders
- Develop, maintain and reflect the culture of the school
- Represent the voice of parents within the school community
For more information on French school councils in Alberta, check the Guide de référence des conseils d’école available in French only.
What is the role of parents on the school council?
Parents play an important role in student success. School councils allow parents to participate in decisions that affect student learning. By sharing their knowledge, perspective and ideas at meetings, parents actively participate in the success of the school community.
- Legislation relevant to school councils in Alberta is contained in Section 55 of the Education Act.
- The requirements are described in the School Council Regulation (Alberta Regulation 94/2019).
Parents who have rights under section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and under section 14 of the Education Act can have their child educated in one of the francophone schools in Alberta. To find out about admission policies, we invite you to contact the French-language school board of your school.
Want to know more about School Councils?
To learn more about French school councils, check the Guide de référence des conseils d’école (in French only) which was updated in September 2020. In addition, our Foire aux questions FAQ and Tools sections (in French only) section may be able to help you.
GUIDE DE RÉFÉRENCE DES CONSEILS D’ÉCOLE
Last update: September 2020
This guide has been written to help Francophone school council members perform their role properly: it provides information on the role and activities of school councils and other entities involved in the world of education.
This guide is only available in French.
FPFA
The help you need
WORKSHOPS
Discover our workshops specially designed to help school councils fully play their role and best achieve their goals. Note that all our workshops are in French only.
TOOLS
We have developed practical tools to support the councils in their tasks. All our tools are in French only.
REGROUPEMENT DES CONSEILS D’ÉCOLE
The FPFA organizes three meetings per year for the Francophone school councils of Alberta in order to share their challenges, to advance common issues and to exchange winning practices.
LES CONSEILS…
The Francophone School Council’s Newsletter
This newsletter was created to inform school councils about current events in the world of Francophone education in Alberta, but also to provide tools, resources and reminders on what is coming for you. , parent volunteers who sit on a school council.
This newsletter is published three times a year and is in French only.
Browse our past editions:
What is the FPFA?
In September 2012, Minister of Education, Jeff Johnson, recognized the FPFA as the official voice of francophone parents and school councils. Read the official letter sent by the Ministry of Education. Read the official letter sent by the Ministry of Education (in French only).
The FPFA has over 34 years of experience working with school councils.
The FPFA fought for francophone schools long before the creation of francophone school boards.
Almost 10 years after the founding of the FPFA, Francophone parents obtained the right to elect school counsellors who manage Francophone schools (March 1994).
When it was founded, the FPFA’s goal was to open Francophone schools.
In 1985, the FPFA brought together 5 parents’ committees.
In 2021, there are 41.
A long collaboration
School councils and the FPFA
School councils are members of the FPFA
According to article 4 of the FPFA’s bylaws, the FPFA’s members are made up of “Any independent body or group composed entirely or mainly of French-speaking parents as defined in article 23. (1) of the Charter Canadian Rights and Freedoms, such as school councils, and parents’ committees. “
FPFA’s members have the right to vote at the AGM.
Annual calendar
The FPFA has created an annual calendar for the Francophone school councils with virtual workshops each month, and our quarterly meetings for all councils throughout the province .
The FPFA offers tailor-made assistance to school councils
The FPFA is there to assist you, whether it is to help you organize your AGM, review your bylaws or for any other subject.
Contact us!
You can book a workshop or simply ask us your questions at any time.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our funders for their support and commitment to our projects. Your contribution truly makes a difference.
