Small Acts, Big Impact: Get Involved at Gledhill!
The purpose of school councils in Ontario is to improve student achievement and enhance the accountability of the education system to parents.
One way the Gledhill School Council strives to achieve this is by organizing events and funding programs at the school. We’re able to offer a variety of enrichment opportunities for our children thanks to parents and caregivers who contribute a small commitment of time that fits their schedules and interests. Many hands make light work!
Ready to Get Involved?
Please complete our Volunteer Form to let us know which events and activities interest you. You can select as many opportunities as you like.
For more information about any of the opportunities below, contact our volunteer coordinator at thegledhillguardian@gmail.com.
Here are some of the ways parents and caregivers get involved.
Weekly and Seasonal Opportunities
Tree Watering: Our schoolyard has many trees of various ages that need watering, particularly during the hot summer months. Each year, a team of “tree-watering families” is recruited to help care for our trees throughout the summer.
Every Month or Two
Pizza Lunch: About eight Fridays throughout the school year, Kindergarten to Grade 5 students preorder pizza for lunch. Parent volunteers help distribute the pizza between 11:15 a.m. and noon.
Movie Night: About four times a year, our gym is transformed into a movie theatre on a Friday evening. Parent volunteers help sell tickets, popcorn, and pizza.
Scientist in the School: School Council funds Scientist in the School visits. Teachers choose half-day sessions with visiting scientists that align with the curriculum and recruit a couple of parent volunteers to help in the classroom.
Once a Year
Family Fest: One of School Council’s main fundraisers, Family Fest is a tonne of fun! On one of the last Fridays in May, from 3:30 to 7:00 p.m., the schoolyard is transformed with bouncy castles, food, and games. Parents can join the planning committee to help organize the event or volunteer on the day, helping with activities such as selling cotton candy and popcorn or working at the barbecue.
Silent Auction: Our annual Silent Auction brings the Gledhill community together to support School Council fundraising efforts. Parent volunteers can help organize donations, coordinate auction items, promote the auction, and assist with event activities.
Parent/Social Night: Our annual Parent/Social Night is an opportunity for Gledhill parents and caregivers to connect, meet other families, and enjoy a night out together. Volunteers can help with planning, organizing, and making the event a success.
Read-a-thon: This week-long fundraising event encourages students to obtain pledges for reading books. Parent volunteers help support the event and its activities.
Scholastic Book Fair: Once or twice a year, our librarian hosts a book fair in the school library. The fair typically runs over a week and generates proceeds to help the library purchase new books and resources. Parents can help at the checkout table in 45-minute shifts.
Skate Day: Usually held in early March, the School Council rents an arena where students in Grades 1–6 skate during either the morning or afternoon. Parents walk to the arena with classes, help students tie their skates, and can skate too if they wish.
Grade 5 Graduation: Grade 5 parents help celebrate this important milestone as students prepare to graduate from Gledhill and move on to the next stage of their education. Parent volunteers can help coordinate graduation celebrations and related activities for our graduating students.
In the Classroom
Classroom Volunteers: Parents and caregivers can contact their child’s teacher to ask about opportunities to volunteer in the classroom. Depending on classroom needs, volunteers may be able to help with reading, classroom activities, special projects, or other learning experiences. Police reference check requirements may apply; please see our Police Reference Checks page for details.
Behind the Scenes
Grant Writing: There are many grants available to school communities. School Council strives to take advantage of these opportunities to help reduce the overall fundraising required.
Event Organizers: All our events need organizers to coordinate the planning and preparation. Many parents choose to shadow an organizer for a year or two to ensure a smooth transition from year to year. As children graduate from Gledhill, new volunteers are needed to fill their shoes.
Communications: The Gledhill Guardian blog shares announcements from Parent Council and members of the Gledhill community. We’re always looking for content about the great things happening at our school. Parents can help share news, stories, photos, and community updates.
Elected School Council Roles: Each fall, elections are held for executive positions, including Chair or Co-Chairs, Secretary, Treasurer, and chairs of various committees. For more information about these positions, see the School Council roles and committees document.
School Council Committees: School Council has several committees that parents and caregivers can join at any point during the year. These include:
- Grants
- Fundraising
- Eco
- Healthy Kids
- Communications
For more information about these committees, see the School Council roles and committees document.
See Something You’d Like to Do?
Complete our Volunteer Form to tell us where you’d like to help, or contact our volunteer coordinator at thegledhillguardian@gmail.com.
Help us make Gledhill an even more wonderful place to learn & grow!
