I have had the privilege of working with amazing members of the School Community Councils (SCCs) at the eight schools across Subdivision 2. These volunteers all work tirelessly to organize events, activities and fundraisers for students and families. They engage the community, promote school initiatives and find many ways to create a fun environment for all. They work with school principals, vice-principals, teachers and support staff while balancing their own busy lives.
Mike Farrer, Chair of École Massey School’s SCC, has been involved with the SCC since 2016. Mike says, “Being an active member of the community is really important to me. Life is a team sport, and building your community is building and strengthening your team. So many of the external things in our lives push us down an individual, almost isolating, path, so it’s more important than ever to build our team and strengthen our communities.”
Mike and I talk a lot about how to better engage the community and gain more interest and participation in the SCCs. We share the view that getting parents, families and the community involved in schools is so important, and SCCs provide that opportunity for involvement. Mike’s focus is organizing fun events that people (especially kids) want to attend, which help create awareness in our community about what SCCs are and what they do.
Mike has been part of planning so many activities, including movie nights, school dances, the Massive Massey Mega-Bash and parent help days. Fundraisers are important too—his favourite is the poinsettia and spring flower sale, saying, “When all the flowers and plants come in, everything looks amazing and puts people in such a great mood.” Staff Appreciation Week every year is a big deal to the SCC as well. They always look forward to making the staff feel appreciated and loved!
When I asked members of the SCC about Mike, they enthusiastically told me that Mike is so generous with his time and energy. He always plans things with community in mind. For example, the SCC does not charge admission to the dances and to the craft show they hold, so that they are community events rather than fundraisers or money-makers. Members added, “For the Massey Leadership Council (MLC) food drive every year, Mike is the parent who steps up and helps the MLC deliver the food collected to the community fridges.” Making deliveries to the community fridge are fulfilling for him and the team.
As the SCC chair, Mike also works to ensure that SCC meetings are both fun and informative. He is organized and before adjournment of every meeting, he assesses the SCC meetings, ensuring everyone has a voice, and always says “Stupendous!” His good nature is very evident and contagious.
Mike believes that by spreading the word that SCC meetings are a great way to find out what’s going on at the school, a great way to meet other parents and community members, and that it’s fun, recruitment becomes easier.
This will be Mike’s last year as chair of this SCC. I asked Mike what he will miss most. “I’ll miss all of it! The biggest thing I’ll miss is the connection to the teachers and staff. It has been hugely fun and hugely rewarding, and I’m sad to move on. That said, I know we have a fantastic team at Massey, and I’m excited to hear about their future activities.”
Thank you to Mike, École Massey’s SCC and all SCCs in Regina Public Schools for all you do for your schools and students!
- Submitted by Tracey McMurchy (Regina Board of Education Trustee for Subdivision 2)
