Parents are important partners in education
The Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) is a board-level advisory committee that provides parents, guardians and caregivers with a direct connection to the Near North District School Board. PIC supports, encourages and enhances parent engagement to help promote student achievement and well-being, and strengthen connections between families and schools across our district.
Get Involved
PIC welcomes families from across NNDSB. All PIC meetings are open to everyone, and we encourage you to attend and share your voice. Explore the information below to learn more about PIC, upcoming meetings, resources and opportunities to get involved.
About PIC
Learn about the committee's role, responsibilities, and how PIC supports families across NNDSB.
Meetings
Find upcoming meeting dates, as well as agendas and minutes from past PIC meetings.
PRO Grants
Learn about the Parents Reaching Out (PRO) Grant, including eligibility, application timelines and how to apply.
Resources for Families
Explore helpful resources, presentations and information to support parent engagement and student success.
More Information
The Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) is a Board-level advisory committee that provides parents, guardians, and caregivers with a direct connection to the Near North District School Board. The committee supports, encourages, and enhances parent engagement to help promote student achievement and well-being.
PIC plays an important role by:
- Providing information and advice to the Board on parent engagement
- Communicating with and supporting School Advisory Councils across the district
- Sharing effective practices that help families engage in their children's learning
- Undertaking activities that help parents support their children's learning at home and at school
Unlike School Advisory Councils, which focus on matters within an individual school, the Parent Involvement Committee considers issues and opportunities that affect multiple schools and communities across the district. PIC provides families with an opportunity to share input on Board-wide initiatives and serves as an important link between parents, guardians, caregivers, and Board leadership.
The NNDSB recognizes the important role that parents, guardians, and caregivers play in education. Through PIC, families can connect with one another, share ideas, learn about Board initiatives, and contribute to discussions that support student achievement and well-being.
All parents, guardians, and caregivers are welcome to attend PIC meetings virtually. Attending meetings is a great way to stay informed, share perspectives, learn about initiatives affecting students and families, and connect with others who are committed to supporting student success across the district.
The Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) meets throughout the school year to discuss initiatives that support parent engagement and student success. Agendas and approved meeting minutes are posted below.
Committee Representatives
| Voting Members | Position |
|---|---|
| Stephanie Bergman | Parent Representative, Co-Chair |
| Chantelle Link | Parent Representative, Co-Chair |
| School Advisory Council (SAC) Chairs | Chairs from each of our 30 School Advisory Councils |
| Non-Voting Members | Position |
|---|---|
| Rebecca Bell | Supervisor |
| Jay MacJanet | CEO/CEDO |
| Kim Pauli | Superintendent of Learning |
| Kyla Kadlec | Principal, Alliance Public School and PIC Lead |
| Stephanie Underwood | Elementary Administrative Representative |
| Heather Hickey | Central Staff Representative Co-Chair |
| Amanda Meighan | Central Staff Representative Co-Chair |
| Ashley Gasson | Non-Teaching Staff Representative |
2026-2027 PARENT INVOLVEMENT COMMITTEE AGENDAS & MINUTES
| Date | Time | Agenda | Minutes | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, October 1, 2026 | 6:30 p.m. | Agenda (PDF) | Minutes (PDF) | |
| Wednesday, November 25, 2026 | 6:30 p.m. | |||
| Wednesday, February 3, 2027 | 6:30 p.m. | |||
| Wednesday, March 31, 2027 | 6:30 p.m. | |||
| Wednesday, June 2, 2027 | 6:30 p.m. |
Archived Agendas & Minutes
The Near North District School Board Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) is pleased to administer up to $20,000 annually in Parents Reaching Out (PRO) Grant funding provided by the Ontario Ministry of Education. PRO Grants support projects and initiatives that remove barriers at the local level and help parents, guardians, and caregivers participate more fully in their children's learning and educational progress. Through this program, School Advisory Councils (SACs) can apply for funding to support initiatives that promote meaningful parent engagement and strengthen partnerships between families, schools, and communities.
Funding Available
- Up to $20,000 in Ontario Ministry of Education PRO Grant funding is available annually through NNDSB PIC
- Funding is distributed through two application rounds, with up to $10,000 available in each round
- Funding is available to support school council parent engagement initiatives
- Priority consideration will be given to collaborative applications involving two or more school councils
- School councils may apply for between $100 and $1,500 per initiative
Application Timelines
Round 1
- Applications Open: Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.
- Applications Close: Friday, November 27, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
Successful recipients will be notified by email before the Winter Break.
Round 2
- Applications Open: Wednesday, January 6, 2027 at 10:00 a.m.
- Applications Close: Friday, February 5, 2027 at 11:59 p.m.
NNDSB PIC Priority Areas
The NNDSB PIC encourages School Advisory Councils to develop projects that support meaningful parent engagement and align with both PIC priorities and the Ontario Ministry of Education's Parents Reaching Out (PRO) Grant guidelines.
For the 2026-2027 school year, priority consideration will be given to projects that:
- Increase parent participation and engagement in school communities.
- Enhance awareness and understanding of PIC and its role.
- Promote networking, collaboration, and the sharing of ideas and best practices among School Advisory Council (SAC) Chairs.
- Address social inclusion and racism, including anti-Asian, anti-Black, and anti-Indigenous discrimination and bias, as well as inequities and systemic barriers experienced by racialized and marginalized groups.
- Create safe, welcoming, and inclusive environments for all families.
- Recognize and support parents as valued partners in their child's education through meaningful engagement and communication with schools.
- Inform parents about the expectations of the Ontario Curriculum and available supports and resources.
- Support parent learning related to screen time, cell phone usage, vaping, and smoking prevention.
Ineligible Expenses
PRO Grant funding cannot be used for:
- Payment to school board staff or volunteers
- Salaries, wages, honoraria, or gifts
- Promotional items
-
Items intended primarily for student or classroom use rather than parent engagement activities (e.g., school supplies, equipment, classroom resources)
- Activities that do not directly support parent engagement objectives
Apply for PRO Grant Funding
Applications must be submitted through the online application form. Click here to apply.
Questions?
For assistance with the Parents Reaching Out (PRO) Grant program or the application process, please contact Ashley Gasson, Executive Assistant, by email at Ashley.Gasson@nearnorthschools.ca.
Resources and Information Sessions
- Secondary Summer School Programming Overview (starts at 11:12) [Watch Recording]
- Elementary Summer Learning Program Overview (starts at 21:57) [Watch Recording]
- School Mental Health Supports (starts at 36:55) [Watch Recording]
- Partnering for Success: IEP Development and Understanding the IPRC Process (starts at 8:25) [Watch Recording]
- Community Culture: Upholding the Code of Conduct (starts at 34:09) [Watch Recording]
Get Involved
Parents and guardians play an important role in strengthening our school communities.
Your ideas, experiences and perspectives help us better understand what matters to families across NNDSB.
There are many ways to get involved
- Participate in your school's School Advisory Council (SAC)
- Share ideas and feedback about parent engagement
- Take part in PIC meetings and activities
- Help identify resources and opportunities that support families
Every voice helps strengthen the connection between families and schools.
