The Parent Participation Program is required by all registered SJB families and provides families with a financial reward for active involvement. Volunteering is choosing to give of your time and talents without a financial gain. There are always opportunities to volunteer in the school or parish with initiatives that fall outside of the Parent Participation Program such as support for your student or support for parish-based activities. These programs are worthy and important; however, they do not directly impact the operation of the school therefore parent participation hours cannot be claimed. Volunteerism is fundamental in our Catholic community and can provide a rewarding experience for those involved.
20 total hours for the school year. 15 hours are to be completed doing General work and a further 5 hours must be completed through a Work Bee or Parent Fundraising Association (PFA) major school fundraiser.
Your hours must be completed and recorded through our online recording system by June 15th of each school year.
Parents always have the option of requesting their cheques to be cashed rather than doing the work hours. This should be indicated at the time of registration. If you change your mind during the school year, please contact our bookkeeper, Lori, and let her know.
Notification of available work will be sent to the email address that you provided when you registered. Please be sure to allow these addresses into your inbox "[email protected]" and "[email protected]".
If your family is experiencing hardship, you may be able to receive partial or full relief of your hours. Email the office to request a “Parent Participation Exemption Request Form” and e-mail it to the Education Committee (EC) Chairperson or hand it into the office in an envelope addressed to the EC Chairperson. The EC Executive Committee will review your request and let you know the result of their decision. The final decision will be applied to the current school year. Future years of exemption will require reapplication.
Please note that all requests for exemption will be kept confidential and handled discreetly. If your family is in need of assistance, please let us know.
The fundraiser/work bee requirement is completed by working 5 hours at one of our Parent Fundraising Association (PFA) major fundraisers. Work Bees are held each month on the 3rd or 4th Saturday. Our major fundraiser is the Bear Brawl.
Family members and friends who are not currently registered in the school may assist families. Individuals must be 19 years of age or older.
Students 15 years or older who are accompanied by their parent/guardian, may assist with work bees.
If you took on a task such as coaching, set design, costume design etc. that required you to complete 30 or more hours, you may be eligible for relief from your Fundraiser/Work Bee commitment. Please email the office to request a “Parent Participation Exemption Request Form” and e-mail it to the Education Committee (EC) Chairperson or hand it into the office in an envelope addressed to the EC Chairperson. The EC chairperson will let you know if your request is granted. Please note that driving and baking will not be considered.
Yes, if you exceed 5 hours of work during a fundraiser/work bee, the excess hours may be applied towards your 15 general parent participation hours requirement.
Time and ½ may no longer be claimed through Work Bees or any other tasks.
Yes, hours can be collected starting from July 1st for the upcoming school year.
No, excess hours cannot be carried over into a following school year as every school year generally has the same amount of work that needs to be completed. Anything over the 20 hour requirement is considered a gift to the school. Please know that your gift of time to our school is highly valued and greatly appreciated as you are helping our current and future students receive the best education possible.
SJB does not have a pro-rated system. If you completed 7.5 general hours your first cheque valued at $200.00 will not be cashed. If you complete a further 7.5 general hours your second cheque valued at $200.00 will not be cashed. If you complete 5 fundraiser/work bee hours your fundraiser/work bee cheque valued at $200.00 will not be cashed. If you have less hours then the stated targets your cheque(s) will be deposited.
Extensions for completing hours will not be granted.
If you have more than just your student in your vehicle, you may claim the following time:
- Driving time from your home to the school for pick up
- Driving to the event
- The return to school
- The return trip home
Time spent during a field trip, extracurricular event, game, tournament or musical event cannot be claimed as parent participation hours unless the teacher or coach has specifically assigned you a duty.
Driving to and from practices, rehearsals, extracurricular or “Home” games does not constitute driving hours to be claimed as Parent Participation hours.
You may claim the driving time to and from the school if you are the driver of the vehicle.
Meeting time hours are collected on a flat rate of 2 hours per meeting per family. Driving time may not be claimed.
No, hours can not be collected as families involved are directly receiving financial savings from the fundraising efforts. The money raised does not go towards the school’s operating budget.
Hours may not be claimed as a chaperone. There are some circumstances in which you may be granted hours as you have a professional skill set that is required to execute the trip. Please inquire if you fall into this category.
All completed hours must be recorded using the online recording program. If hours are not recorded, credit cannot be given, and your parent participation cheques will be deposited. If assistance is required with the online recording of hours, please contact the Parent Participation Administrator.
When you enter hours in our on line system you will receive two e-mails. The first states how many hours you just entered and the second states how many hours you have in total. Please be sure to check your junk/spam folder and mark this address as “safe” [email protected]
Volunteering at the parish level is an important commitment that supports the mission of the Catholic church. However, as the tasks do not reduce the operational costs in our school, the hours cannot be claimed as SJB Parent Participation hours.
Professional services provided to the school can be claimed as parent participation hours upon consultation and pre-approval by the SJB Education Committee.