Parent councils are a great way to meet other parents and provide many opportunities to make decisions around healthy eating and active living events. Most schools advertise the next parent council meeting in their school newsletter.

The Role of Parent Council is to:

1. Support the school in it's work with students
2. Represent the views of all parents
3. Encourage links between the school, parents, pupils, pre-school, and the wider community
4. Report back to all parents in the school, through newsletters, or however your parent council chooses.
5. Support the school, Principal, Vice-Principal, and students during the school year.

How to increase Parent Council's presence at your school

• Support healthy school activities that encourage activity. Organize or participate in a family gym night. Be a parent volunteer to help teachers supervise when schools access outside community recreational facilities such as skating, swimming or school teams and clubs.
• Send healthy snacks to school for special events and parties. Try these ideas: whole grain crackers and lower fat cheese, fruit kabobs with yogurt dip, raw vegetables and dip, whole grain pita and hummus, smoothies, 100 % juice, milk or flavored chocolate milk. For more ideas see page 27 in the Steps to a Healthy School Environment - School Nutrition Handbook.
• Talk to your children about what they are learning at school about nutrtion.
• Encourage parent council to support physical activity initiatives by helping to provide equipment, resources and professional development.
• Advocate for a school milk program if your school doesn’t already have one. For more information see Alberta Milk.
• Volunteer to help support active living programs before or after school hours. Programs may include activity clubs, sports teams, open gym time, or family activity events.