Balaclava Public School

Balaclava Home and School Association

The Balaclava Home and School Association is a member of the Ontario Federation of Home and School Associations. As a result we have a voice at the local school board level where home and school members sit, as parent representatives, on many school board committees and at the provincial Ministry of Education. OFHSA has representatives on provincial committees such as EQAO and the Ontario Parent Council. We also are required to follow the OFHSA constitution, by-laws and policies. OFHSA has existed since 1916 and the motto is "the best for each student". Locally our group strives to promote opportunities for active living and learning for all Balaclava students. All of the Home and School's activities are carried out with the full co-operation of the Principal and staff.

Our goals are:

To support programs and services not funded by our school board.
To encourage ongoing communication participation between parents, students and the community.
To maintain communication and work cooperatively with the School Parent Council.

Roles and Activities

Meet on the third Thursday of every month at 9:00 a.m. All parents (and children) are welcome to attend. (Please bring snacks and/or activities for children).
Executive is comprised, if possible, of two co-presidents, one vice-president, one secretary, one treasurer and one past president.
One member of Home and School Executive also serves on the School Council Executive.
H & S co-ordinates two major fund raising events each year. (The fall fund raiser sales package and the May Fun Fair. We often will run a third campaign as need arises (i.e. Values books or Hockey Magazine).
H & S coordinates: pizza and sub days, KFC lunches, photo day, staff appreciation week, food/refreshment for special events(i.e. Terry Fox), graduation reception, volunteer lists and author's day.
Money raised by the H & S subsidizes: the cost of student agendas (50%), field trips ($100 per class), team uniforms, drama/arts performances, instrumental music, playground equipment, intramural sports equipment, classroom instructional aids, audio/visual equipment, library materials, author's day, science fair, Winnit seals, track and field ribbons, graduation reception and technology

All parents and/or guardians of students at Balaclava are invited to attend the monthly daytime meetings of Home and School and if that is not possible you can call the executive with your concerns and suggestions. Also, if you are only available during the evening hours we encourage you to attend School Council meetings. At every school council meeting the Principal gives the same report as at our meetings. Also a home and school report is given where we invite questions and feedback. Home and School membership at Balaclava has always been strong. We are the third largest Association in the province. The most practical benefits of membership in OFHSA are:

a vote at our Association meetings.
$5 million liability insurance coverage for members while they are performing activities sponsored by the Home and School, whether it be at the school, at an activity destination, or en route to or from that destination.

We also encourage you to visit the following websites: