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La voix des parents de Colombie-Britannique

What is a school parents
association (APE) 2

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Parents are primary educators
and many wish to continue fo
play a role in their children’s
education once the youngsters begin
school. Children whose parents play
an active role in their child's educa-
tion tend fo be more successful. Mo-
reover, through this involvement, pa-
rents can foster communication and
create a feeling of belonging within
the school community.

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Role of the APE

The role of fhe school parents’ as-
sociation is to represent and promo-
te parents’ interests. It must operate
within set parameters, such as the
Education Act, CSF (francophone
education authority) policies, and
the various collective agreements.
lf can make recommendations to
the CSF, school administration, and
teaching staff on any school-rela-
ted topic, to the exeption of those
in relation with the School partners’
committee. The APE also raises the
awareness of authorities regarding
parents’ concerns and the needs of
the school.

In partnership with the members
of the School partners’ committee,
the APE helps to implement the
School Plan. The association pro-
motes school policies and supports
efforts to present activities designed
to enrich the school experience. The
APE is mandated to consult school
parents on relevant issues and fo dis-
seminate information.

The APE liaises with the FPFCB (BC
federation of francophone parents)
and the CSF. It seeks consistency
between the parents’ vision and the
work of fhe school Partners’ Commit-
tee.

The APE appoints:
@ Parent representatives to the
Partners’ Committee;

m The parent representative to the
school administrators’ selection
committee;

w Bothrepresentatives fo the
FPFCB annual conference and
annual general meeting.

The APE may, at its discretion:

® Organize cultural activities;

ew Offer family francization pro-
grams;

@ Conduct fundraising activities
(funding campaigns)

@ Operate a nursery school
or daycare service;

m Organize/provide community
service activities;

@ Organize recruiting drives.

Who belongs fo the APE?

All parents and/or guardians of
children enrolled in the school are
voting members of the parents’ asso-
ciation. If she decides to do so, the
APE can accept non-voting mem-
bers, like school staff who do not
have children enrolled in the school!
or any other person who supports the
association statutes and regulations.

The APE executive committee

The school parents elect officers
(president, treasurer, etc.) and other
executive committee members (also
referred to as the administration or
executive), usually for a one-year
term. Note that, should they feel if
appropriate, parents may elect a
non-voting member to the executive
committee.

APE operations

The APE is often incorporated
as a not-for-profit society under the
British Columbia Society Act. The so-
ciety is a sole entity, separate and
distinct from the individuals who
make up the agency.

If the APE is incorporated, the ge-
neral rules governing APE operations
are included in its statutes and regu-
lations.

For more information regarding
the school parents associations, refer
to Chapter 4 of the APE guide, which
is available on line at www.fpfcb.
be.ca (under Ressources).