| J. J. Hill Site Council |  | Who we are
We are parents and teachers who work together to support our children’s education. We meet once a month during the school year. Our meetings are open to everyone, though only official members of the Site Council may vote (but we actually don’t bother voting most of the time).
What we do
In collaboration with the principal, we discuss how the school operates and what could be done better. We set priorities for the school’s budget. We do long-term planning to think about ways in which the school can improve over the next several years. (Yeah, we know what you’re thinking: “Hmm, budgets and planning – I’m glad I’m not on this committee!” But it really is important stuff, and we try not to take ourselves too seriously.)
Some examples of issues we worked on in the past
We heard from parents concerned about an increase in bullying and pushed for a school-wide program to address these issues. We prioritized the return of foreign language instruction (Spanish) after losing it for the 2005-06 school year. We sent out a survey to families who had left JJ Hill for other schools to find out more about their decision.
What we don’t do
Although we can ask for explanations, we can’t overrule the principal if we disagree with a decision – though generally that does not come up, since we work as a team with her on nearly all issues. We don’t hire or evaluate teachers or other staff.
But what about the PTO? Is this the same thing?
No, we are two different groups. The PTO’s main focus is on fundraising. That’s why you know so much more about them than us – they keep sending lots of notes home encouraging you to sell wrapping paper, come to the Fun Fair, and so forth. (We’ve thought about sending notes home encouraging you to come to our budget discussions, but we figure most of you would really rather go to the Fun Fair – so would we!)
Where you come in
All kidding aside, one of the most important things we do is to represent you. We are an important and influential voice for parents. When you are concerned about something that happens at JJ Hill, we are here to listen and to take action if it is needed. And when you are happy about something that happens at JJ Hill, we want to know so that we can protect the things that parents value most when we have to make hard decisions about the budget.
How to tell us what’s important to you
Feel free to contact any Site Council representative with questions, comments or concerns. Click here to find email and phone contact information. Or come up and introduce yourself at a school event – our pictures are posted in the hallway just outside the office.
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