All parents of CDS students are members of the Parents’ Association.
CDS has a strong and committed Parents’ Association. The purpose and mission of the CDS Parent Association is:
• To foster communication, participation, and a feeling of community among parents in support of the programs and activities of CDS.
• To provide support and assistance for school activities, such as student led community service, recognition of faculty and staff members, and spirit building activities.
• To provide parent input to the PA Executive Committee, the administration and the faculty on matters of importance to the parents and students.
All Parent meetings are held several times a year and are open to any parent who wants to come to be updated on school wide activities, or to voice ideas as to how we as parents can better support our school, faculty and children.
To have a strong and vibrant parent community, we need the efforts and talents of all members. All parents are invited to become more involved in the Parent Association. Please join us at the next meeting or contact the Parent Representatives directly.
Parents Association Executive Committee
The Parents Association Executive Committee (previously known as the Parents Board) is comprised of a group of parents who are volunteering their time to work on the various goals and missions of the Parent’s Association, as well as organize events and activities.
The Committee meets monthly, and members include a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer as well as a Parent Representatives from High School, Middle School, Elementary School, and Early Childhood (called Divisional Representatives). The Committee also includes those people who are chairing various activities such as Fun Run, Teacher Appreciation, Buddy Families, etc.
In an effort to support CDS in its goals, these parents will provide leadership in parent involvement, promoting school spirit, and providing a channel for parent’s voices to be heard by the school administration.
Parent Advisory Group
The Parent Advisory Group is comprised of the CDS Director, Principals, Admissions Officer, the four Parent Representatives from each division, and the Parents Association President. The purpose of this group is:
• To share communications of the school’s progress in its strategic plan and goals
• To support the school’s initiatives and the work of the divisional parent groups
• To work together in generating fresh perspectives and ideas in solving problems.
High School, Middle School, Elementary School and Early Childhood Divisional Meetings
Working with the Divisional Parent Reps, the Principals of the four schools hold meetings, usually once monthly, to discuss plans and issues for each division of the school. Each school does this a little differently, but these groups of parents work closely with the Principals to provide meaningful, and fun activities for the students and parents.
Just some examples of how the Principals use the Divisional meetings are:
• Plan fun school events like the Halloween Trick-or-Treat night
• Support the Elementary school “Care and Share” program
• Plan teacher appreciation breakfasts and lunches
• Co-ordinate parent education sessions
• Help create programs for Drug and Alcohol awareness for High School students
All parents are encouraged to become active in the Parents Association by attending your divisional meetings, attending the All Parent meetings or volunteering to help with Parents Association activities.