Runnymede’s parent-run Home & School Association (HSA) is an excellent way for parents to get involved in their children’s education! The HSA is the home of Runnymede’s Fun, Fundraising and Enrichment initiatives, and endeavours to improve the experience and outcomes for all students.
The Runnymede HSA is made up of an elected committee of representatives, and general membership can include all parents, staff, admin or community members who are interested in getting involved! You do not need to be a voting member to attend Runnymede’s joint SAC (School Advisory Council) and HSA meetings, or to have your say!
Get Involved: Whether or not you attend the meetings, there are lots of ways to volunteer your time, primarily through one of our vibrant committees. You are welcome — and encouraged! — to join at any time of year and contribute whatever you can.
**** To become an Executive / Chair of an HSA Committee, you must become a voting member of the Runnymede HSA. Please complete this membership form and reach out to RunnymedePS@gmail.com if you have any questions!
A BIT OF BACKGROUND ABOUT ‘COUNCIL’ (SAC and HSA)
For over 20 years, the ‘Runnymede Parent council’ was a combination of “Runnymede Public School Council’ (a registered charitable organization founded in 2002) and the Runnymede School Advisory Council (SAC – usually referred to as ‘Runnymede Council’). It’s combined purpose was to work in tandem to facilitate community building activities, raise funds to assist in the delivery of enrichment activities for all RPS students, and advise the principal and the Board on issues and activities relating to student achievement, curriculum goals and priorities, school budget priorities, school safety, renovation plans, and criteria for selection of new principals.
As required by changes to the Education Act, Runnymede Council closed down the RPSC charity, and transitioned to a new model starting in the 2024/2025 school year. Fundraising for school initiatives is now be conducted through the RUNNYMEDE HOME AND SCHOOL ASSOCIATION (HSA).
The Executive team and the 6 main committees (STEM, ARTS, GREEN, COMMUNICATIONS, FUN & FUNDRAISING, and ATHLETICS) that facilitate the enrichment & fundraising activities, also moved to the HSA.
School Advisory Council (SAC)
Every TDSB school must have a SAC with the the 3 required committees:
- Staffing Committee – develops and proposes a staffing model based on projected enrolment and staff allocation
- School Improvement Plan (SIP) – develop, implement and monitor school improvement actions that meet the needs of every learner. All parents are informed as to the requirements and purpose of a SIP, the opportunity to contribute to the plan and the leadership role of the council on behalf of parents/guardians
- Safe & Caring Schools Committee – reviews the school’s safety and security and develops a plan to maintain and enhance safety and security within the school
These three school committees, led by teachers or a member of administration, also require parent representatives.
Runnymede SAC will also include :
- Graduation Committee
- Lost & Found committee
- Parent Grade Reps
- Ward 7 Parent Reps
- Student Reps
- HSA Rep
Please reach out if you are interested in joining one of these SAC committees.
Nomination forms for executive positions must be completed 2 weeks prior to the first meeting if you are interested in taking on an executive role on the SAC : HERE
WHERE DO THE DIFFERENT COMMITTEES LIVE?
| Benefits of a Home & School Association (HSA) |
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| As a chapter of the Ontario Federation of Home and School Associations (OFSHA), the Runnymede HSA derives a variety of benefits. The two most significant benefits of this membership are that our HSA is technically financially independent from the school and the TDSB, as well as that our events are covered by OFSHA’s insurance policy. However, this does not mean we act independently! We work closely in conjunction with our School admin, and consistently aim to seek parent, teacher and admin involvement during the year as well as throughout our entire process of fund allocation each spring. In addition, it should be noted that as members of OFSHA, the Runnymede HSA is subject the organization’s rules and oversight, including financial audits. Executive positions are elected each year at the September meeting, but all are welcome at the monthly meetings! Here is a quick summary of how the HSA works: Runnymede’s HSA is made up of an Executive Committee, special interest Committees , and voting and non-voting members. Any parent, staff, admin or community member who is interested in getting involved can become a member and is welcome to attend all meetings, however in order to become a voting member, you need to complete an HSA membership & pay a $20 fee to the OFHSA. It is also appreciated if voting members attend all of the 6 meetings each year, if possible. The executive will take into account the wishes all non-voting members when voting on any issues. The parent-run HSA plans enrichment for students throughout the year, and organizes events and fundraising opportunities to provide the budget for those enrichment opportunities. Fundraising through the Runnymede Home & School Association (HSA) ensures that all of the student enrichment programs can run and teachers have the extra resource supports they need, and it remains separate from the TDSB. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HSA Committees and a summary of each: Go to the Committees page to learn more To get involved and volunteer to run or help with an event, join a committee or to ask questions about how you can help, please reach out to RunnymedePS@gmail.com If you would like to become a voting member of the Runnymede HSA please complete this membership form |
Check the Runnymede Calendar for all meeting dates, details and links for virtual attendance!!
Here is the agenda page to check what’s being discussed. We look forward to seeing you there!
Meeting and minutes for past Runnymede Council meetings from 2023/2024 back to 2005 are available on our minutes page.
Will your child be starting kindergarten in September? Check out our Starting Kindergarten section.
Runnymede Home & School Association 
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