One way parents/guardians can make a meaningful difference for students is by participating on our school’s parent society. Parent societies are a formal group of parents, incorporated under the Societies Act for the purpose of raising funds for the school. A society is a separate legal entity from the school council. More information can be found in our CBE Administrative Regulation 5001 – School Councils and School/Parent Societies.
Upcoming Meeting Dates
Join Us!
The Parent Association welcomes all SWC school community involvement as we work to raise funds to support our school, our staff, our students and our families.
SWC Parent Association (SWCPA) meetings are generally held on the first Wednesday of the month in conjunction with the SWC School Council meetings. The SWCPA meeting generally starts at 6:30 PM, followed immediately by the SWCSC meeting. All meetings are held in combination of in-person and virtual (using Microsoft Teams) meetings. An email invite to join the meeting is sent out approximately one week before the meeting date. As they are the same, dates for these meetings can be found on the SWC School Council meetings list.
About Our Parent Society
SWCPA organizes two main fundraisers on behalf of SWC, a biennial Casino fundraiser and the Request for Annual Donation (RFAD) fundraiser.
- CASINO FUNDRAISERS ARE INVESTMENTS BACK INTO OUR SCHOOL!
Many activities, equipment, supplies and teaching resources for our school are funded through this important fundraiser including most recently, the following SWC wish list items:
2023/24
- Phys Ed: Sports team uniforms
- Phys Ed: Stationary bikes
- Phys Ed: Gym mats
- Band: Uniforms and venue rentals, etc.
2022/23
- Science: Online license to science labs (Explore Learning), various supplies & equipment (probes & carts)
- Social: Educational DVDs
- Yearbook: Nikon Camera
- Math: T84 calculators & Wacom Tablets
- Robotics: Robotic supplies & reduction of student fees
- English: Portable PA system & Wacom tablets
- Second Languages: Language specific resources (dictionaries) & board games
- Phys Ed: equipment required to adapt to COVID
- Request for Annual Donation (RFAD) Campaigns fill the gaps!
However, a casino is a promise of funds in the future as we will not see the proceeds from the casino for at least 18-24 months. As well, there are many items that AGLC guidelines will not allow casino proceeds to fund. In order to fill these funding gaps, every year SWCSC and SWCPA launches the Request for Annual Donation Campaign. Our annual ask is to raise approximately $20 per student which provides an opportunity to further enhance the educational experience of the students, support our staff and families at Sir Winston Churchill High School. This Campaign typically nets about $5,000.00 - 8,000.00 for the year with the funds raised used in support of student clubs and activities, as well as SWCSC/SWCPA sponsored events like staff appreciation events or presentations/workshops and urgent needs put forth by the school Administration as necessary. A small amount of money is also set aside to aid students who couldn’t otherwise participate in events (for example, grad banquet tickets).
Previously, funds raised from this campaign have supported:
- special student events to foster school spirit, strengthen our student community while alleviating stress such as Halloween Trick or Treating, Winter Wonder Week, Spring Carnival, Grade 12 BBQ, the Grade 12 Farewell and many Spirit Days
- Twice annual Staff Appreciation events to show gratitude to our hardworking SWC staff and boost morale
- Mental health & wellness workshops open to all in the SWC school community
- Annual Holiday hampers for SWC families in need
- urgent needs put forth by the school Administration as necessary
Parent Society Members
Fundraisers and Donations
Donating to our SWC School Council & Parent Association (SWCSC/PA)
The SWC Parent Association regularly conducts fundraising activities on behalf of our school consisting mainly of a biennial Casino fundraiser and the Request for Annual Donation (RFAD) Campaign.
While the Casino fundraiser provides the bulk of the funds for the school over two years, there are restrictions on what these funds can be spent on along with timelines governing when these monies must be spent.
In order to fill funding gaps and support extra opportunities for SWC students, staff and families, we also host a fall Request For Annual Donation (RFAD) Fundraiser. Our annual ask is to raise approximately $20 per student which typically nets about $5,000.00 - 8,000.00 for the year. This annual donation campaign provides an opportunity to further enhance the students' experience, foster school spirit, and strengthen the school community at Sir Winston Churchill High School.
100% of your donations will go directly to our SWC school community including SWC student activities, staff appreciation events, programs for SWC families, emergent needs from the school Admin and the operation of SWCPA for this year to the next. This campaign is the sole SWCPA direct fundraiser each year.
*Please note that SWC students, teams or the Band Parents Association may still run fundraisers throughout the year for their own causes separate from this campaign.
As always, a heartfelt THANK YOU again for your generosity, commitment and support of the SWC school community!
Donating to Our School Through Education Matters
If the October SWCPA RFAD campaign does not work for you at this time OR you would like to access your employer’s matching donation program, you can also donate directly to Sir Winston Churchill school through the CBE's Trust - Education Matters online portal. And while SWCSC/PA doesn't get these funds directly, the school can still benefit and you can receive a tax receipt for donations over $20.
Simply click the link below for this online method of donating directly to the school: https://www.educationmatters.ca/project-matters/sir-winston-churchill-high-school/
Please note that funds donated to Education Matters are subject to CBE spending restrictions and timelines (eg. must be spent before the school year ends). As well, Education Matters charges a 3.5% processing fee taken off the donation amount. More specific details are available at the Education Matters Donation Process.
These restrictions and fees are why the school council (SWCSC/PA) typically fundraises outside of Education Matters, as we are able to fill funding gaps that casino funds & Education Matters donations cannot accommodate (eg. staff appreciation events, hosting/gifting, grad fees, etc.) over a longer period. By donating directly to SWCSC/PA, we have the discretion to make sure 100% of RFAD fundraising campaign funds go straight towards our school community. However, we understand that our inability to provide a tax receipt is a concern and Education Matters is another way our school can benefit which does provide a tax receipt.
If you have further questions feel free to contact us at swcparentassoc@gmail.com.
In-kind donations of school supplies or equipment
- Please complete this form | In-kind Donations Form
If you have multiple items in different categories, please fill out the form for each item. This will help us to process your offer more efficiently.
Thank you for thinking of our school!