The School Council (Conseil d’ecole).

The School Council is established for one year, their first meeting being within fifteen days after the election results have been announced. It then meets at least once per quarter.

It is established according to the school statues and is composed of 3 elected teachers, 3 elected parents representatives and 3 representatives of the Comite de Gestion. By right, other members include the French Consul, the deputy Cultural Counsellor, the Inspector of National Education for the designed area, a local representative of French citizens, and the school Director. The latter chairs the Council, and may invite other persons as it deems necessary.

Meetings of the School Council must take place during the teachers’ service hours, without the presence of pupils. These meetings are expected to take 6 hours (3 meetings of 2 hours) on the 36 credit hours in the year released by school hours. Established in each kindergarten and elementary school, the School Council aims to foster dialogue and exchange of information between the educational team, representatives of parents and cultural institutions.

The School Council, upon proposal of the School Director

• establishes the proposed organization of the school week
• in the preparation of school projects, gives advice and submit any suggestion on all matters pertaining to school life, including:
• Actions undertaken to achieve national objectives in the field of public education;
• The use of funds allocated to the school;
• The conditions for successful integration of children with disabilities;
• Extracurricular activities;
• School meals;
• Hygiene on the premises;
• The protection and safety of children within the school premises and during all curricular activities;
• decides on the school project

In addition, information is given within the School Council on

• the principles prevailing in the choice of textbooks and various educational materials;
• the organization of specialized assistance.

It establishes or amends the school’s rules of procedure.

In addition, the School Council is informed about the conditions under which teachers hold meetings with parents, and especially for the rentree meeting.
The school council has an advisory role.

Who?

The school council includes:

• the school director who is the president
• the mayor or his representative and a municipal councillor designated by the municipal council;
• teachers of the school and substitute teachers working in the school at the time of board meetings;
• one of the teatchers of the specialized aid network involved in the school, chosen by the board of teachers of the school (if necessary);
• representatives of parents in equal numbers to that of the classes in the school, elected under procedures established by the decree of Minister for Education;
• the delegate of National Education (DDEN) in charge of visiting the school. It is a defender of public school very much involved, mediator with a moderating and constructive role.

The Inspector of National Education of the constituency has the right to attend the meetings.

Other participants with an advisory role may include, depending on the matters discussed :

• employees of the network of specialized aid (other than those mentioned above);
• doctors in charge of medical check for the school;
• school nurses
• social workers and agents specializing in nursery schools.

In addition, when medical or paramedical personnel is involved in actions aiming at integrating children with disabilities, the President may, after consulting the Council, invite one or more of these people to join the board.

The President may, after consulting the Council, invite one or more persons whose consultation is deemed useful depending on the agenda.

The alternate representatives of parents can attend meetings of the School Council as observers.

How?

The role of the Director

The Director is the president of the School Council. His task is to convene, attend and organize various meetings: teachers meeting, cycle council, school councils, meetings of consultation.

It is a function which aims at:

• facilitating the task and parole;
• stating clearly the objective;
• organizing space.

The Director will also provide the minutes of the meetings.