So here I sit, the second Tuesday of the month – another school year underway and another parent council meeting night.
And tonight all hands are on deck as the group plans for an upcoming school event. There is an excited energy at the table and all of us hope to make this event a success.
Yet, as I glance around the table, I can’t help but remember how things looked—and felt—very different this time last year.
Flashback: Hockey Night and a Side of Beef Patty
The scene last year was similar – a table full of enthusiastic parents tossing out ideas. Their big pitch? A hockey-themed night.
I had sat there, outnumbered and outmatched, nibbling on my homemade Beef Patty (shoutout to @theseasoned.skillet).
Now, let me be clear: we all know I hate hockey. Sitting in freezing cold arenas watching my son’s games did not exactly warm me up to the wretched sport, but my personal grudge wasn’t the real issue. In context, hockey night for this school was like suggesting a poutine buffet at a Nigerian wedding.
But the other parents around the table were hyped. The plan escalated quickly: suddenly kids were supposed to wear their favourite player’s jerseys (which, spoiler alert, most students would absolutely not have had).
I sighed, side-eyed the whole scene, and silently questioned why I even bothered showing up.
Deep down, though, I knew the answer. I was trying to be part of the solution and not the problem.
The Problem with Parent Councils
The problem, as I saw it, was that the parent council didn’t reflect the school community it served. While the school was predominantly attended by Black and racialized families, but you wouldn’t have known that by looking around that parent council table.
And when the council doesn’t mirror the community, you end up with events like hockey night in a school where most families are far more familiar with carnival or cricket than slapshots and Zambonis.
But it’s not easy to convince parents to give parent council a chance. Because like, they have a terrible reputation! Ocassionally parent council members do come off a bit Bad Moms’ Gwendolyn James supermom-esque.
Between the drama, the overbearing personalities, and the endless group chats, it’s easy to write parent councils off. Honestly, if a friend hadn’t bribed me with wine and beef patties, I probably wouldn’t have shown up either.
But what I’ve learned is this: showing up makes a difference.
Why I Keep Showing Up (Hint: It’s Not Just for the Snacks)
Parent councils – or parent advisory councils if we’re getting fancy—play an important role in shaping the student experience. They shape not just the special events but also the energy, identity, and even the work of the school. They can decide where to spend funds, which programs to bring into the school, and which educational goals to prioritize.
What gets decided at parent council each month can directly impact our kids’ day-to-day lives and opportunities at school. Essentially, they’re the decision-makers and can make or break the school’s connection to its community.
Whether it’s advocating for a more diverse library collection, nixing another hockey night, or simply introducing new ideas different voices help shift the narrative. And even small changes build momentum and add to the school spirit. They help create a school environment where culture and identity is celebrated, not sidelined.
From Side Eyes to Jollof Poutine
Fast forward to today, and things feel different. Looking around the table now, I see faces that reflect the entire school community. As the conversation turns to food for the event, the energy in the room is electric. I glance at my friend, the one who roped me into this, and hope I won’t regret letting her drag me into this mess.
A mom raises her hand, a sly smile on her lips. “Okay—hear me out—how about jollof poutine?” The room erupts into laughter. Another mom chimes in, “Didn’t they talk about Jollof Tacos on Bel-Air? I still can’t unsee it!”
These moments are why representation and parental involvement matter. Hockey nights and jerseys have their place, but so do events that centre jollof rice, beef patties, lumpia, and beaver tails. A group of parents that reflects the wider community improves the life of the school and our kids’ educational experience. When the council reflects it’s wider school community, the ideas resonate. A balanced council can bring people together, help understand the needs of students and ensure folks are seen. Parent council meetings create not just a feedback loop but a sense of belonging that’s been missing for far too long.
A Seat at the Table, A Voice in the Room
This is not to say there haven’t been growing pains; like when the school vice principal suggested line-dancing which required about a 15-minute explanation to parents who were almost convinced until it was explained that she wasn’t talking about the Texas Hold ‘em version.
But those moments are part of the process. They’re reminders that when you’re not at the table, you can’t complain about what’s being served.
And while not every idea is perfect – and yes, theoretically, some Nigerians might prefer poutine and hockey to jollof and soccer (though I haven’t met one) – the key is making space for everyone.
The Takeaway: Bring Your Ideas (and Your Rice and Peas)
So, if you’re thinking about it, check your school website for the time and place – and just show up to your next parent council meeting in the coming weeks. And please note there are no eligibility requirements – well, other than having a kid in the school, cuz if not, ummm weird. But seriously parent council is strictly a tool for community engagement.
Bring your ideas, your energy, and maybe even a plate of rice and peas. Because when we show up, the table changes.
And when the table changes, so does the school.
And if nothing else, you can at least save someone like me from enduring another hockey-themed night.
