WHO WE ARE

The Williamson Road School Advisory Council (Willy SAC) is a body of representatives consisting of caregivers/ parents, teachers, and school staff working together with the goal to strive for constant educational and community improvement while fostering an environment of positivity and support for our students.

All caregivers/parents have a voice on the school advisory council and it is our goal to be inclusive and informative.

2025/2026 Council Executive:

Co-chairs – Janet Theunissen and Lindsay Thompson
Secretary – Kate Lorriman
Treasurer – Nikki Stiavnicky
Parent/Caregiver members – Karen Dobbie-Hunter, Laura Ditkofsky, Emma Lister, Stella Pischedda, Jessica Armstrong, Rachel Adams, Vanessa Seguin, Kelly Gilbert, Kate St. Cyr, Lori Franklin

School Council Executive Nomination Process
Each September we nominate and elect an Executive team comprised of Willy parents/guardians, that works closely with our school administration. Executive members play an important role in helping to make decisions on behalf of the parent body, including how council money is spent and ways to improve parent engagement. Please note that virtual parents/guardians are eligible to be members of their home school council.It is encouraged that parents/caregivers serve on the School Advisory Council for at least one term as a parent representative prior to running for an Executive Officer role (Chair/Co-chair, Treasurer, Secretary).
Below is a description of the council roles:

Chairperson 
The Chairperson is an executive officer of the School Advisory Council (SAC). The Secretary is a voting member who performs the same duties as other Council members, in addition to performing duties which include:

  • Manage SAC meetings (arrange, prepare agendas and Chair SAC meetings)
  • Ensure that minutes of SAC meetings are accurately recorded, issued and maintained
  • Ensure that the Annual Report is prepared and that the By-Laws and School Statement of Need are updated annually
  • Oversee and maintain regular contact with all Committee Leads
  • Facilitate conflict resolution
  • Communicate with the Principal on behalf of the SAC
  • Consult with Senior Board Staff and Trustees as required on behalf of the SAC
  • Manage communications to parents (create and respond to SAC emails)
  • Read and sign off on monthly reconciliation sheets

Treasurer 
The Treasurer is an executive officer of the School Advisory Council (SAC). The Secretary is a voting member who performs the same duties as other Council members, in addition to performing duties which include:

  • Act as the custodian for SAC funds and maintain proper records of all financial transactions including arranging monthly reconciliation with the Chair(s) and Principal
  • Handle receipt and disbursement of SAC monies (including acting as the final verification of monies collected during SAC activities) and report bank balance and major transactions at each SAC meeting
  • Prepare and arrange for verification of the SAC’s annual PSAB financial statement in September
  • Act as a Joint Signing Officer (along with the Chair)

Secretary 
The Secretary is an executive officer of the School Advisory Council (SAC). The Secretary is a voting member who performs the same duties as other Council members, in addition to performing duties which include:

  • Record the minutes of all SAC meetings
  • Produce/coordinate the weekly SAC newsletter
  • Maintain the SAC Calendar of Events
  • Manage and post content to the SAC website and Facebook page
  • Update the internal SAC notice board
  • Maintain the SAC documents
  • Produce and distribute SAC surveys as needed

Parent Representatives 

  • Serve as a liaison between parents/caregivers and the school community.
  • Gather and share parent/caregiver feedback and advocate on their behalf.
  • Support SAC events and initiatives by volunteering as needed.
  • Participate in SAC committees or school initiatives to help distribute workload and strengthen parent engagement.
  • Attend a minimum of 80% of Willy SAC meetings (approximately 4-6 per school year)

Ward Representative

  • Act as Willy representative at the monthly TDSB Ward meetings, take notes and report key items (including Parent Involvement Advisory Council initiatives)
  • Ensure that information from the school trustee gets distributed to the parent community