The Who, What, and Wow of SCOCA

September 10, 2024 3 min read

Joining a new school is exciting, but it can also feel a bit overwhelming with everything going on. At Calgary Academy, we offer a fantastic solution to keep everyone in the loop and engaged: the School Council of Calgary Academy (SCOCA).

The school council is a perfect way to stay informed on everything and anything at Calgary Academy and connect with the community—learn from some of the prominent members!

What is SCOCA?

SCOCA is Calgary Academy’s school council. Founded in 2018, the council has parent, student, and staff representatives at meetings. With a focus on the overall school community, any parent at CA can attend meetings and learn about events, fundraising, and volunteer opportunities.

You don’t need to worry about signing up for SCOCA—all CA parents are automatically granted membership. SCOCA member Christa S. finds that the council helps her stay engaged at her child’s school and connect with other parents.

“SCOCA is a great way to be more involved with the school community and stay engaged in the decisions that impact your child’s experience while at CA.

The staff and other parents are engaged and informed and offer a bird’s eye perspective into the present and future at CA. I like being a part of SCOCA as it offers a better connection to the community.” – Christa

What are the Benefits of SCOCA?

SCOCA has many benefits for attendees—the primary one being the ability to see everything Calgary Academy offers. Each meeting features several speakers, from the SCOCA chair to Principal Tim Carlson.

Aligned with the goals of the council, the benefits of SCOCA include:

  • Learning more about school initiatives
  • Having a forum to discuss and learn about school issues
  • Communicating directly with Calgary Academy leadership
  • Connecting with other CA parents

Depending on the time of year, SCOCA may be followed by the Arlette Parent Speaker Series. Two former Calgary Academy parents sponsor these educational presentations through the Calgary Foundation’s Arlette Education Fund.

Dallas R., a SCOCA member and volunteer, finds that the most significant benefit of SCOCA is being a part of the broader community.

“For me, attending SCOCA meetings is much more than learning about the operations of the school and what events are coming up. It’s about being part of a community.” – Dallas

Why Should You Attend?

Whether you’re hoping to meet with CA leadership or learn more about upcoming events, there are many reasons to attend a SCOCA meeting. There’s something for everyone—volunteering, meeting with other CA parents, or simply learning what’s going on at the school—the first step to get what you need is to attend a meeting!

CA parent and SCOCA President Shayne A. attends meetings to have his voice heard and become more involved with his son’s education.

“I attend SCOCA because I enjoy participating in and better understanding my son’s school experience. SCOCA provides a platform where parents can voice their opinions and feel heard and valued.

Working with Calgary Academy’s team has been an exceptional experience. I believe all parents would find it rewarding and enjoyable.” – Shayne

Join the First SCOCA Meeting of the School Year

SCOCA provides many benefits to CA parents, and you can see for yourself by attending the first meeting of the 2024–2025 school year on Monday, Sept. 23.

Meet with the school’s principal and assistant principals and see what’s in store for the first few months at Calgary Academy! In the meantime, you can learn more about SCOCA and see upcoming meeting dates on our website.