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School Council Secrets

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Brooke Beverly

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Session 1 Lesson Plan

Introduce participants to the purpose, structure, and roles of a school council; establish meeting norms and collaboratively brainstorm potential agenda topics.

Understanding how school councils operate and knowing key roles and norms empowers parents and community members to engage confidently and contribute meaningfully.

Audience

Parents and community members

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Presentation, discussion, and small-group brainstorming.

Materials

School Council Introduction Slides, Council Roles Chart, Meeting Norms Poster, and Brainstorming Worksheet

Prep

Review and Prepare Materials

10 minutes

  • Print copies of the Brainstorming Worksheet.
  • Print the Council Roles Chart.
  • Print the Meeting Norms Poster.
  • Arrange room seating for small-group work.
  • Load the School Council Introduction Slides onto the projector.

Step 1

Icebreaker and Introductions

10 minutes

  • Welcome everyone and introduce yourself.
  • Ask each participant to share their name and why they’re interested in the school council.
  • Note common themes and transition to today’s objectives.

Step 2

Presentation: School Council Basics

15 minutes

  • Display the School Council Introduction Slides.
  • Define the council’s purpose, goals, and typical meeting agenda.
  • Explain meeting frequency and decision-making processes.
  • Invite brief clarifying questions.

Step 3

Explore Roles and Norms

10 minutes

  • Divide participants into small groups.
  • Distribute the Council Roles Chart and Meeting Norms Poster.
  • Have groups discuss each role (chair, secretary, member) and its responsibilities.
  • Ask each group to propose 3–4 norms for productive meetings.
  • Reconvene and share group suggestions.

Step 4

Group Brainstorm: Agenda Topics

10 minutes

  • Hand out the Brainstorming Worksheet.
  • In groups, list issues or topics they’d like to address at upcoming council meetings.
  • Encourage all voices and note down every idea.
  • Collect worksheets for synthesis and follow-up.
lenny

Slide Deck

Session 1: School Council Basics

Welcome! Today’s Objectives:
• Understand the purpose and structure of a school council
• Learn how meetings are organized and run
• Prepare to set norms and brainstorm agenda topics

Welcome participants and introduce session objectives. Mention that this deck will cover the purpose, goals, agenda structure, and decision processes of a school council.

What Is a School Council?

A school council is a collaborative team of parents, teachers, administrators, and community members who:
• Advise on school improvement planning
• Provide input on resource allocation and budgeting
• Support policies that enhance student learning and well-being

Define what a school council is and who typically serves. Emphasize collaboration between parents, staff, and community.

Goals of the School Council

Key Goals:
• Improve student achievement through targeted programs
• Foster community engagement and trust
• Advise on budgeting, staffing, and resources
• Ensure equity, inclusion, and diverse perspectives

Briefly illustrate each goal with an example (e.g., a parent-led fundraising initiative under community engagement).

Typical Meeting Agenda

  1. Welcome & Approval of Minutes
  2. Principal’s Update
  3. Financial & Resource Reports
  4. Committee Updates
  5. New Business
  6. Action Items & Next Steps
  7. Adjournment

Explain each agenda item and ask if participants have seen this format in other meetings.

Meeting Frequency & Decision-Making

• Frequency: Monthly or quarterly meetings
• Decision Models:
– Consensus: All members agree before moving forward
– Voting: Majority rules (simple or supermajority)
• Quorum: Minimum members required to make decisions

Clarify how often councils usually meet and the difference between decision-making methods.

Decision Process Flowchart

Start → Identify Issue → Choose Method:
• Consensus? → Seek Agreement
• Voting? → Conduct Vote
After Decision → Record Actions & Assign Owners

Suggest drawing or projecting a simple flowchart. Use an example issue (e.g., approving a new program).

Up Next: Roles & Norms

Now, we’ll explore:
• Key council roles (Chair, Secretary, Member)
• Responsibilities of each role
• Creating norms for productive meetings

Transition to the next segment. Instruct participants to break into small groups and distribute the Roles Chart and Norms Poster.

lenny

Worksheet

Session 1: Group Brainstorming Worksheet

Group Information

Group Name: ____________________________________



Facilitator Name: ________________________________


1. List Potential Agenda Topics

In your small group, brainstorm issues or topics you’d like to discuss at upcoming school council meetings. List at least five.

  1. _________________________________________________





  2. _________________________________________________





  3. _________________________________________________





  4. _________________________________________________





  5. _________________________________________________





(If you have more ideas, continue on the back of this sheet.)

2. Prioritize Your Top 3 Topics

Write the number of the topic (from above) next to each rank to show your group’s priority.

1st Priority: Topic # _____



2nd Priority: Topic # _____



3rd Priority: Topic # _____


3. Notes & Questions

Use this space to jot down any notes, questions, or resource needs related to your top topics.

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

lenny
lenny

Activity

Council Roles Chart

Use this chart to understand each council role, its purpose, and main duties. Display it during your small-group discussion and refer back when assigning or rotating roles.

RoleDescriptionKey ResponsibilitiesIcon Suggestion
ChairLeads the meeting, keeps discussion on track, and ensures all voices are heard.• Set the meeting agenda
• Call the meeting to order and adjourn
• Facilitate discussion and manage time
• Ensure decisions follow agreed norms and processes		⚖️ Gavel
SecretaryRecords meeting minutes, tracks attendance, and manages documentation.• Take clear, concise minutes
• Note action items and owners
• Distribute drafts of minutes post-meeting
• Maintain records and attendance logs		✏️ Pencil
MemberContributes ideas, asks questions, and votes on decisions.• Review agenda and materials before meetings
• Share perspectives and offer input
• Respect norms and listen actively
• Vote on motions and proposals		👥 Group of People
Timekeeper(Optional) Monitors time for each agenda item to keep the meeting on schedule.• Track allotted time per topic
• Signal when time is almost up
• Help the Chair maintain pacing		⏰ Stopwatch
Facilitator(Optional) Supports the Chair by guiding group activities or small-group work.• Explain activity instructions
• Keep groups focused and on task
• Report back highlights to full group		🎯 Target

Tip: You can assign optional roles (Timekeeper, Facilitator) in addition to Chair, Secretary, and Member to share responsibilities and keep meetings efficient.

lenny
lenny

Activity

Meeting Norms Poster

Use this poster as a visual reminder of your agreed norms. Feel free to add or adjust norms based on your group’s needs.

Sample Norms

• Speak one person at a time and listen actively
• Respect all viewpoints
• Stay on topic and keep contributions concise
• Use “I” statements to share personal perspectives
• Keep phones on silent and minimize distractions
• Be on time and prepared to participate

Your Group’s Norms

  1. _________________________________________________


  2. _________________________________________________


  3. _________________________________________________


  4. _________________________________________________


Reminder

  • Norms help meetings run smoothly and ensure everyone feels heard.
  • Post this poster where everyone can see it during the meeting.
lenny
lenny

Lesson Plan

Session 2 Lesson Plan

Guide participants to draft effective meeting agendas, practice role-based meeting facilitation, and conduct a short mock school council meeting.

Drafting clear agendas and practicing facilitation builds confidence and ensures meetings run smoothly, maximizing participant contributions and effective decision-making.

Audience

Parents and community members

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Hands-on drafting, role-play, and peer feedback

Materials

Agenda Template, Role-Play Scenario Cards, and Mock Meeting Feedback Form

Prep

Prepare Session 2 Materials

15 minutes

  • Print copies of the Agenda Template for each participant.
  • Print sets of Role-Play Scenario Cards for small groups.
  • Print the Mock Meeting Feedback Form for observers.
  • Arrange seating in small clusters for mock meetings.

Step 1

Introduction & Agenda Drafting Overview

10 minutes

  • Welcome participants and briefly recap Session 1 takeaways (roles, norms, topics).
  • Introduce the importance of a clear agenda for focused meetings.
  • Display or distribute the Agenda Template and model filling out one sample agenda item.

Step 2

Activity: Draft Your Meeting Agenda

15 minutes

  • Distribute the Agenda Template to all participants.
  • Ask participants to draft an agenda for a future council meeting using top topics from Session 1.
  • Encourage them to allocate times and assign presenters or owners for each item.
  • Circulate to answer questions and offer guidance.

Step 3

Assign Roles & Distribute Scenarios

5 minutes

  • In each small group, assign roles: Chair, Secretary, Timekeeper, Facilitator.
  • Hand out one set of Role-Play Scenario Cards per group.
  • Explain that each group will conduct a 10-minute mock meeting addressing a specific scenario.

Step 4

Mock Meeting Role-Play

10 minutes

  • Groups conduct their mock meetings following their drafted agenda.
  • Observers use the Mock Meeting Feedback Form to note strengths and improvement areas.
  • Encourage use of meeting norms and role responsibilities throughout.

Step 5

Group Debrief & Feedback

5 minutes

  • Reconvene as a full group.
  • Invite observers to share highlights from the feedback forms.
  • Discuss common successes and challenges in facilitation and adherence to agenda.
  • Preview Session 3 focus on providing effective feedback and continuous improvement.
lenny

Slide Deck

Session 2: Agenda Template Overview

Use this template to plan your next school council meeting. Each column helps you assign time, topics, facilitators, and any supporting materials.

Introduce the agenda template and explain its sections: Time, Agenda Item, Presenter, and Notes/Materials. Emphasize consistency to keep meetings on track.

Blank Agenda Template

TimeAgenda ItemPresenter/OwnerNotes & Materials Needed
5 minWelcome & Approval of MinutesChairMinutes from last meeting
10 minPrincipal’s UpdatePrincipalLatest enrollment report
............

Walk through each column header. Suggest customizing column widths based on your council’s needs.

Sample Filled Agenda

TimeAgenda ItemPresenter/OwnerNotes & Materials
5 minWelcome & Approval of MinutesChairCopy of previous minutes
10 minBudget UpdateTreasurerBudget summary handout
15 minDiscuss New Playground ProposalFacilities CommitteeProposal document, cost estimates
10 minParent Volunteer OpportunitiesVolunteer CoordinatorSign-up sheet
5 minAction Items & Next StepsSecretaryList of tasks with assignments

Show how to fill in with topics from Session 1. Point out clear time allocations and presenters.

Tips for Effective Time Allocation

• Prioritize high-impact items early
• Assign realistic times based on discussion needs
• Include brief buffer slots for unexpected questions
• Flag complex topics for a dedicated meeting if needed
• Circulate the agenda in advance to solicit timing feedback

Offer practical advice on allocating time and balancing agendas to avoid overruns.

lenny

Project Guide

Role-Play Scenario Cards

Use these scenario cards to guide your mock school council meetings. Each small group will receive one scenario to discuss and make decisions on. Refer to your drafted agenda, follow meeting norms, and practice each role’s responsibilities.

Card 1: Playground Upgrade Proposal

Context: The Facilities Committee proposes upgrading the elementary playground with new safety surfacing and climbing equipment. The total cost is estimated at $20,000.
Goal: Decide whether to:

  1. Approve the full proposal and allocate funds this year.
  2. Approve a phased upgrade (e.g., safety surfacing now, equipment later).
  3. Table the proposal pending further research or community input.

Card 2: Budget Reallocation for Extracurriculars

Context: Recent budget cuts require the council to consider reducing funding for after-school clubs. Several parents are concerned about the impact on student engagement.
Goal: Determine a fair approach:

  1. Maintain current club offerings by reducing administrative expenses.
  2. Prioritize certain clubs (e.g., arts, STEM) and pause others.
  3. Create a parent volunteer plan to supplement club support.

Card 3: Parent Engagement Initiative

Context: School leaders want to boost parent involvement in curriculum nights and volunteer events. Attendance has dropped by 30%.
Goal: Brainstorm and select two strategies to increase turnout:

  • Communication channels (e.g., text alerts, social media)
  • Incentives (e.g., childcare, refreshments)
  • Flexible scheduling (e.g., weekend or evening events)

Card 4: Mobile Device Policy Review

Context: The Student Wellness Committee has drafted a new policy limiting mobile device use during school hours. Some parents worry about safety and academic focus.
Goal: Provide feedback on the draft policy and decide on next steps:

  1. Adopt the policy as written.
  2. Revise policy to include supervised mobile time for learning apps.
  3. Postpone decision until a pilot program is run.

Instructions for Use:

  • Each group assigns roles (Chair, Secretary, Timekeeper, Facilitator).
  • Spend 8 minutes discussing, then vote or reach consensus in the final 2 minutes.
  • Secretary records decisions and action items for the full-group debrief.
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lenny

Worksheet

Mock Meeting Feedback Form

Use this form to observe and provide feedback on the mock school council meeting. Focus on role performance, agenda adherence, use of norms, and overall effectiveness.

Observer Name: ________________________________


Group Name: __________________________________


Scenario Card #: ________ Date: __________


1. Role Performance

Rate each role’s effectiveness (1 = Needs Improvement, 5 = Excellent) and provide comments.

Chair – Rating: __ /5 Comments:





Secretary – Rating: __ /5 Comments:





Timekeeper – Rating: __ /5 Comments:





Facilitator – Rating: __ /5 Comments:





2. Agenda Adherence

Did the group follow the drafted agenda and time allocations? Provide examples of strong adherence or deviations.











3. Use of Meeting Norms

Which norms were followed well? Which need more emphasis? Provide observations.











4. Participation & Engagement

Was participation balanced? Did members listen actively and contribute? Note any patterns or concerns.











5. Overall Effectiveness & Suggestions

What went well overall? What improvements would you recommend for future meetings?











Thank you for your thoughtful feedback! Your insights will help improve facilitation and meeting outcomes.

lenny
lenny

Lesson Plan

Session 3 Lesson Plan

Equip participants with feedback frameworks, practice delivering constructive feedback, and develop action plans and commitments to enhance future school council meetings.

Effective feedback and clear action plans drive continuous improvement, ensuring school councils adapt and better serve their community’s needs.

Audience

Parents and community members

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Interactive frameworks, paired practice, and action planning

Materials

Feedback Framework Slides, Action Planning Worksheet, and Commitment Cards

Prep

Prepare Session 3 Materials

10 minutes

  • Print copies of the Action Planning Worksheet.
  • Prepare the Feedback Framework Slides on the projector.
  • Print sets of the Commitment Cards.
  • Arrange seating to accommodate paired and small-group activities.

Step 1

Introduction & Feedback Frameworks

10 minutes

  • Welcome participants and recap key takeaways from Session 2.
  • Explain the role of feedback in continuous improvement for school councils.
  • Display the Feedback Framework Slides.
  • Introduce two feedback models (e.g., Start-Stop-Continue; What Went Well/Even Better If).

Step 2

Practice Feedback in Pairs

10 minutes

  • Pair participants and assign roles: giver and receiver.
  • Using prompts on the Feedback Framework Slides, each giver provides feedback on a recent mock meeting.
  • Switch roles after 5 minutes and repeat.
  • Encourage use of specific examples and actionable suggestions.

Step 3

Action Planning

15 minutes

  • Distribute the Action Planning Worksheet.
  • In small groups, review feedback themes from the pair activity.
  • Brainstorm concrete action steps to implement improvements in upcoming meetings.
  • Record responsibilities, timelines, and needed resources.

Step 4

Commitment Sharing & Next Steps

10 minutes

  • Hand out the Commitment Cards.
  • Ask each participant to write one personal commitment to apply an action step.
  • Invite volunteers to share their commitments with the full group.
  • Collect commitments to post as a visible reminder.
  • Summarize workshop highlights, share follow-up resources, and thank everyone for participating.
lenny

Slide Deck

Session 3: Feedback Frameworks

Today’s Objectives:
• Explore the Start-Stop-Continue model
• Explore the What Went Well / Even Better If model
• Practice delivering constructive feedback

Welcome participants and introduce session objectives. Display the Feedback Framework Slides and explain that today we’ll learn two models for structured feedback.

Feedback Model: Start-Stop-Continue

Start: Identify new actions or behaviors to begin.
Stop: Identify actions or behaviors to discontinue.
Continue: Identify effective actions to maintain.

Example:
• Start: Invite quieter members to share their views.
• Stop: Allowing off-topic side conversations.
• Continue: Distributing agendas in advance.

Explain the Start-Stop-Continue framework. Encourage participants to think of specific behaviors when giving feedback.

Feedback Model: What Went Well / Even Better If

What Went Well:
• Highlight strengths and successes.

Even Better If:
• Offer suggestions for improvement.

Example:
• What Went Well: You kept the meeting on schedule.
• Even Better If: You could recap action items at the end.

Introduce the What Went Well / Even Better If model. Highlight how it balances praise with growth suggestions.

Tips for Effective Feedback

• Be specific: Cite observable behaviors.
• Be constructive: Offer clear, actionable suggestions.
• Be balanced: Include positives and improvement areas.
• Be timely: Give feedback soon after the meeting.
• Be respectful: Use “I” statements and a neutral tone.

Share general principles for effective feedback. Emphasize specificity, respect, and actionability.

Next: Practice Feedback in Pairs

• Pair up and assign roles: Giver / Receiver.
• Use the Start-Stop-Continue or WWW/EBI prompts to structure your feedback.
• Provide feedback on the mock meetings from Session 2.
• After 5 minutes, switch roles and repeat.

Prepare participants for the paired practice activity. Refer back to the models on these slides as prompts.

lenny

Worksheet

Session 3: Action Planning Worksheet

Use this worksheet to translate feedback from your paired practice into concrete action steps. For each feedback theme, identify the specific action, assign an owner, set a timeline, and note any resources needed.

Feedback ThemeAction StepOwnerTimelineResources Needed











































































Use additional sheets if you have more action items.

lenny
lenny

Activity

Commitment Cards

Use these printable cards for participants to write and share one personal commitment to improve future school council meetings. Encourage creativity—decorate your card with colors or doodles!

Name: ____________________________ Date: ___________


My Commitment:

I will...








Why this matters:

______________________________________________________





Next Steps / Resources Needed:

______________________________________________________





Instructions:

  1. Write one clear, actionable commitment on your card.
  2. Decorate with markers or stickers as you like.
  3. Be prepared to share your commitment with the group.
  4. We’ll collect and display cards as a reminder of our shared goals.
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lenny