Get Involved
Discover the many ways that parents & caregivers can get involved with their children's education
Parent & Caregiver Engagement
Parent Engagement is a Relationship between Home and School that Supports and Improves Student Outcomes. Studies show that student achievement and well-being improve when parents and caregivers play an active role in their children’s education.
There is a variety of system opportunities open to parents & caregivers at both the school and board level, so you can get engaged.
School Council
Join your School Council. School Councils give parents and caregivers a voice and build relationships with school staff. Councils advise on student improvement and well-being. Find out more in our School Councils section.
School Improvement Process (SIP)
Share your ideas for your school’s SIP. A School Improvement Plan (SIP) is prepared by the Principal in consultation with parents and the school community. The SIP is developed each fall using school data to build a common understanding of areas of strength and areas that require more learning and improvement. The SIP framework embraces the TDSB Multi-Year Strategic Plan and the Ministry of Education themes and includes a focus on Equity and Truth & Reconciliation.
Each school will develop goals in the following areas:
Achieving
Belonging
Thriving
Revitalization
The SIP will identify when and how the goals will be implemented. These goals impact how schools spend their budgets, support staff development and make positive changes in the school and classrooms. Principals are required by O. Reg. 612 to include parents and the School Council in the development of the school’s SIP. School Councils are also encouraged to regularly review their SIP for planning, effectiveness and Parent Engagement.
School Statement of Needs (SSON)
Give your input on school community priorities. The parent section of the School Statement of Needs document is developed annually in the Fall by parent representatives (School Council) in consultation with the school community and the trustee (when available). The Principal does not participate in this process. The SSON is used by the Superintendent to place a new Principal in the event of a vacancy at your school. The SSON reflects needs that are specific to the school and community. Use these resources for completing your SSON:
School Committee Participation
Sit on a School Committee. The TDSB recommends or requires parent membership on a number of school committees. Parent participants for these committees are typically associated with the School Council.
School Improvement Plan (PDF, 2.4 MB) (required)
Caring and Safe Schools Committee (Operational Procedure PR703) (PDF, 131 KB) (required)
Staffing Committee (required)
School Budget (recommended)
Principal / Vice Principal Selection
Participate in the Board’s Vice-Principal selection process. The TDSB includes a Parent Representative on its Vice-Principal Interview Committees each year. You can play a direct role in choosing the future leaders of our schools by sitting on the interview teams for teachers applying to be promoted into the Vice-Principal pool. If you are interested in more information or participating, please contact info@torontopiac.com or contact the Parent/Caregiver and Community Engagement Office (PCCEO) at pceo@tdsb.on.ca.
Community Advisory Committees (CACs)
Join (or attend the meeting of) a Community Advisory Committee (CAC). There are a number of parent and community committees that advise the TDSB on its policies and programs. CACs provide an advocacy role for caregivers and the community. CAC meetings are open to the public. Consult the TDSB website for a comprehensive list of committees and more information on how to get involved.
Policy Consultations
Be a part of the Consultation process. Provide your feedback on education changes or initiatives to the TDSB or Ministry of Education via surveys, public forums, and committees. Find out more on our Policy Consultations page.
PIAC Meetings
We strive to keep parents and caregivers informed of the latest policies, upcoming meetings, changes and more.
PIAC holds public monthly committee meetings to:
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Discuss TDSB policies, procedures, and initiatives, and if needed make recommendations to the Board on Parent Engagement
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Discuss new developments in the Provincial education system
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Discuss opportunities for Parent Engagement
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Discuss the activities of our Working Groups
PIAC Members
PIAC Ward Co-Representatives are volunteers who:
- Provide information and advice on Parent Engagement to the TDSB
- Communicate with and support School Councils
- Work to help TDSB parents/caregivers support their children’s learning at home and at school
- Recommend how to best use government funding for parent involvement (as described in Ontario Education Act R.S.O 1990, O.Reg. 612/00)
- Participate in monthly PIAC general meetings, PIAC Working Groups, and PIAC events
- You can reference the TDSB Ward Map to find your school by Ward or location
- The table below reflects data sourced from the PIAC Membership List
| Ward / Position | PIAC Member | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|
| PIAC Co-Chair | Zena Shereck | PIAC.Chair@tdsb.on.ca | Active |
| PIAC Co-Chair | Sarah Ali | PIAC.Chair@tdsb.on.ca | Active |
| Ward 1 Co- Representative | VACANT | ||
| Ward 1 Co- Representative | Nabil Hasbun | PIAC.Ward01@tdsb.on.ca | Active |
| Ward 2 Co- Representative | VACANT | ||
| Ward 2 Co- Representative | VACANT | ||
| Ward 3 Co- Representative | Andrew Waters | PIAC.Ward03@tdsb.on.ca | Active |
| Ward 3 Co- Representative | VACANT | ||
| Ward 4 Co- Representative | Tamasha Grant | PIAC.Ward04@tdsb.on.ca | Active |
| Ward 4 Co- Representative | Johnson Jayelola | PIAC.Ward04@tdsb.on.ca | Active |
| Ward 5 Co- Representative | Carly Cohen | PIAC.Ward05@tdsb.on.ca | Active |
| Ward 5 Co- Representative | Aaron Kucharczuk | PIAC.Ward05@tdsb.on.ca | Active |
| Ward 6 Co- Representative | Crystal Stewart | PIAC.Ward06@tdsb.on.ca | Active |
| Ward 6 Co- Representative | Mercy Charles | PIAC.Ward06@tdsb.on.ca | Active |
| Ward 7 Co- Representative | VACANT | ||
| Ward 7 Co- Representative | Emily Rose Abrahams | PIAC.Ward07@tdsb.on.ca | Active |
| Ward 8 Co- Representative | Kaydeen Bankasingh | PIAC.Ward08@tdsb.on.ca | Active |
| Ward 8 Co- Representative | Anshu Grover | PIAC.Ward08@tdsb.on.ca | Active |
| Ward 9 Co- Representative | Frida Zemer | PIAC.Ward09@tdsb.on.ca | Active |
| Ward 9 Co- Representative | Sarah Brager | PIAC.Ward09@tdsb.on.ca | Active |
| Ward 10 Co- Representative | Mark Unger | PIAC.Ward10@tdsb.on.ca | Active |
| Ward 10 Co- Representative | Katrina Matheson | PIAC.Ward10@tdsb.on.ca | Active |
| Ward 11 Co- Representative | VACANT | ||
| Ward 11 Co- Representative | VACANT | ||
| Ward 12 Co- Representative | Susan Lee | PIAC.Ward12@tdsb.on.ca | Active |
| Ward 12 Co- Representative | Nicole Wu | PIAC.Ward12@tdsb.on.ca | Active |
| Ward 13 Co- Representative | VACANT | ||
| Ward 13 Co- Representative | VACANT | ||
| Ward 14 Co- Representative | Mohammad Saleem Khan | PIAC.Ward14@tdsb.on.ca | Active |
| Ward 14 Co- Representative | VACANT | ||
| Ward 15 Co- Representative | VACANT | ||
| Ward 15 Co- Representative | VACANT | ||
| Ward 16 Co- Representative | VACANT | ||
| Ward 16 Co- Representative | VACANT | ||
| Ward 17 Co- Representative | Tanya Ono | PIAC.Ward17@tdsb.on.ca | Active |
| Ward 17 Co- Representative | Thanuja Sankar | PIAC.Ward17@tdsb.on.ca | Active |
| Ward 18 Co- Representative | VACANT | ||
| Ward 18 Co- Representative | VACANT | ||
| Ward 19 Co- Representative | Prasanna Jagannathan | PIAC.Ward19@tdsb.on.ca | Active |
| Ward 19 Co- Representative | Moosa Anwar Alloo | PIAC.Ward19@tdsb.on.ca | Active |
| Ward 20 Co- Representative | Christopher Levien | PIAC.Ward20@tdsb.on.ca | Active |
| Ward 20 Co- Representative | VACANT | ||
| Ward 21 Co- Representative | VACANT | ||
| Ward 21 Co- Representative | VACANT | ||
| Ward 22 Co- Representative | VACANT | ||
| Ward 22 Co- Representative | VACANT |
All parents of TDSB students are welcome to run for election as a PIAC Representative in their Ward.
Contact your Trustee to find out about Ward elections.
For more information about joining PIAC or contacting your Ward Representatives, email info@torontopiac.com or fill out this form.
PIAC Working Groups
How our Working Groups operate
PIAC operates through the work of a number of sub-committees called Working Groups.
There are two types of PIAC Working Groups: Governance (internal) and Outreach (open). Outreach Working Groups are open to PIAC Members and the public, and are a great way for TDSB parents and community members to get to know the education system and support parent engagement. Governance Working Groups are open only to PIAC Members.
At PIAC, Working Groups:
- Make recommendations on committee actions
- Provide an avenue for community outreach and involvement
- Draw on the interests, expertise, and experience of its members
PIAC Working Groups meet virtually. If you would like more information on the PIAC Working Groups or are interested in participating, please contact info@torontopiac.com or complete our sign-up form.
There are several PIAC Working Groups that are open to the public, allowing parents and community members to contribute to the work of PIAC.
Outreach Working Groups
These non-governance Working Groups (in bold) are open to any parent/guardian of a TDSB enrolled student and also to community participants, as per PIAC bylaws section 6.2.3.
Communication – Develop and manage content for the PIAC website, newsletters, and social media. Bring awareness about the mandate of PIAC. Oversight of committee branding.
Consultations – Coordinate and facilitate all Board and Ministry consultation requests. Support School Council Innovation grant applications.
Events – Organize PIAC support events for School Council information and parent engagement (conferences, webinars).
- School Council Support – Engage in outreach strategies to support School Councils in their work
- P/VP Hiring Process – Work with TDSB Staff to promote parent involvement in the Principal/Vice Principal hiring/selection process (includes organizing parent volunteers for the VP hiring process).
Virtual Engagement – This ad hoc Working Group aims to provide recommendations on Parent/Family Engagement in Virtual School.
You can join these Outreach Working Groups.
Governance Working Groups
PIAC Governance Working Groups (in bold) are permanent internal sub-committees open only to elected PIAC Parent Members, as per PIAC bylaws section 6.2.1.
- Operational Effectiveness – Maintain and support the operational effectiveness of PIAC
- Budget – Track, monitor and report PIAC’s annual budget.
Bylaws – Revise and update PIAC’s Bylaws as directed by the committee. [Ad hoc WG which is active as needed.]
- Membership – Track and monitor PIAC’s membership and ensure representation of all wards. Internal member support, and training.
- Nominations – Develop and implement the election process for PIAC Co-Chairs. [Ad hoc WG which is active as needed.]
Strategic Planning – Track and monitor the execution and implementation of the PIAC Work Plan. Plan and organize an annual strategic planning meeting at the end of the school year for all members.
Conferences
East Conference
- Wednesday, October 22, 2025
- 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
- David and Mary Thomson Collegiate Institute
West Conference
- Tuesday, October 28, 2025
- 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
- West Humber Collegiate Institute
PIAC Ready. Set. Engage. – School Councils & Principals: Stronger Together
February 2025 Workshop slides
Session 1 – School Council operations
School Council Basics – Essential Information for School Councils (PDF, 1.9MB)
Beyond the Basics – Next Steps for School Councils (PDF, 1.9 MB)
Established School Councils – Active Engagement (PDF, 2.3 MB)
Session 2 – School Council tactics
School Council Training Sessions
Each year, the PCCEO hosts training sessions for TDSB School Councils. This year’s fall sessions were:
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School Council 101
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School Improvement Plan & School Statement of Needs
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Leading Effective Engagement
Go to the TDSB School Council Workshops page for registration links to the term’s sessions.
Training session recordings are available on the PCCEO YouTube channel.
Workshops
Our free, curated workshops are designed to build and strengthen greater positive experiences for parents, guardians, and caregivers alike, while navigating the elementary and secondary years at the TDSB, Canada’s largest school board. Workshops span a diverse range of subjects such as:
- School Council Basics
- Parent Engagement
- TDSB Consultations
- School Improvement Planning
Contact Information
Contact the Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) by email: info@torontopiac.com
Contact your PIAC Ward Representatives
- Each Ward has two elected PIAC Members. View the current PIAC Membership List (PDF, 139 KB).
Contact the Parent/Caregiver and Community Engagement Office (PCCEO)
- Michelle Munroe, Central Coordinator, Parent and Community Engagement Office at 416 397-3528 or PCEO@tdsb.on.ca. The PCCEO can assist with information regarding TDSB School Councils, finding documents and templates, and navigating council goals and responsibilities.
Contact your Trustee
- Trustees are municipally elected officials that represent the constituents (voters, parents, and students) in their Ward. They are advocates for education and represent the voice of their community on the Board.
- You can contact your Trustee by phone or email, or attend your local Ward Council meeting.
- View the list of current TDSB Trustees.
Contact your Superintendent
- School Superintendents are responsible for a number of elementary and secondary schools in their region (Learning Centre). The Superintendent builds positive relationships, supports the school improvement goals at the school level, and coordinates practices at the Learning Centre (LC) level.
- You can search for your Superintendent by school or Ward on the TDSB Learning Centre page.
How can I join PIAC?
Reach out to us by completing this form and we will get back to you with the next steps!