About the Program

Our school would not exist without the active participation of parents.

The involvement of parents in all aspects of the school’s operation ensures that many of our labour costs are reduced.  Most importantly, parent participation makes enrollment at Star of the Sea School a ‘family affair’.

At Star of the Sea, we believe that education is very much a family responsibility. When parents show an active interest in various Parent Participation projects, the children notice and our community benefits. We therefore encourage all parents to actively participate in our school and parish community.

We do understand that all families are not able to participate with hours and therefore, have pay in lieu options to assist.

It should be noted that your involvement in the Parent Participation Program should not be confused with volunteer activities, in which you will also be encouraged to contribute your time and talents (like driving or chaperoning field trips).

Volunteerism is a fundamental value of Star of the Sea School and contributes greatly to Catholic solidarity and community spirit. It can be an intrinsically rewarding experience for those involved.

How to Participate

As active school community members, parents/caregivers are required to participate in one or more areas as needed by the school.

Please refer to the Parent Handbook for more details about the Parent Participation Program and assignment areas.

A minimum of 30 hours per annum, including 2 shifts on our safe street patrol (as defined by a yearly cycle beginning on July 1 preceding the school year in question), is required from each family for fulfillment of the Parent Participation Program responsibility. Volunteers must sign in and out using the iPad at the school office to receive credit for hours served.

Instructions for selecting volunteer tasks and submitting hours can be found in this video.

Please note, you will no longer be required to log your hours on the volunteer portal. Instead, when you arrive for your shift you must sign in & out using the iPad and your family’s PIN at the office. Your family’s PIN can be found on your OnVolunteers family profile.

You will only receive credit for hours worked if you SIGN IN & OUT on the office iPad. Instructions on how to sign in & out can be found in this video.

Each participating family will be required to provide a VOID cheque for Pre-authorization Debit payment at the time of registration/re-registration. 

Withdrawal will only occur if Parent Participation Program obligations are not met, according to the following protocol:

  • Pro-rated monies will be withdrawn on March 1 if a minimum of 15 hours are not completed by February 1. A full refund will be provided if the annual Parent Participation Program obligation (30 hours) is subsequently met by the end of the school year (June 30).

  • Pro-rated monies will be withdrawn on June 1 if the full Parent Participation Program obligation is not met by the end of the school year (June 30). A partial refund will then be provided for hours worked on a pro-rated basis (valued at $26.67 per hour).

  • Payment in full of any outstanding Parent Participation Program penalty will be necessary for re-enrolment in the upcoming school year. Furthermore, your child(ren) will not receive classroom placement(s) in August until this obligation has been met.

Areas of Participation

It is the responsibility of each family to sign up for task groups/roles via OnVolunteers. Families can sign up for year-long roles or more short-term options. Postings will be added throughout the year as needs arise in the school, so check back frequently to find roles that suit your schedule. Directions for signing up for tasks can be found in this video.

While thirty hours of participation per family is required, this is only a guideline (additional hours are much appreciated). If you find you are short hours, you must make up those hours if you do not wish to pay the balance of hours in lieu at a rate of $26.67 per hour.

Participation Alternatives

We understand that all families may not be able to participate through hours.

For this reason, we offer the following options:

Pay in Lieu Option
An $800 withdrawal payment on September 1st.

Goods & Services in Lieu Option
A family can propose offering the school and/or parish goods and/or services in lieu. For this option, an application must be submitted and approved (in advance) by the Parish Education Committee (PEC).

If your application is approved, it does not guarantee your preferred vendor status.

Questions?

For more information about the Parent Participation Program, click here to send us an email.