Parental Involvement Policy
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT POLICY FOR VALLEY HI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NORTHSIDE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
If students are to be successful, their parents or guardians must be actively involved in their education. Valley Hi Elementary School developed this policy to describe how we involve parents in the development of this policy and the School-Parent-Student Compact; to help parents to help their children achieve in school; and to make sure parents with limited English proficiency or disabilities and parents of migratory students can participate in their children’s education. This policy was developed jointly, and reviewed annually, with parents and the campus Parental Involvement Committee and School Advisory Team.
School-Parent Compact
The School-Parent-Student compact explains how school staff and parents will share the responsibility for each student's academic success. The compact was developed jointly with parents and the campus Parental Involvement Committee and School Advisory Team. Annual Title I Meeting - Each year we invite parents to an Annual Title I Meeting. Notice is sent to every parent through a flyer, the campus newsletter, marquee, and the call-out system. Meetings are held on several different days and times, and parents have a choice of which to attend. At the meetings we discuss Title I law and requirements, the rights of parents and students, benefits of programs offered, and other topics. We help the parents to attend these meetings by providing assistance when requested. Policy Involvement - Parents can be involved in the planning, review, and improvement of Title I programs, including contributing to the review of this Parental Involvement Policy, the SchoolParent-Student Compact, and School Improvement Plan. If the School Improvement Plan is not satisfactory to parents, their comments will be forwarded to the district office. Parents may serve as members or provide input to the School Advisory Team (SAT), Parental Involvement Committee (PIC), Title I Advisory Council, and other district/campus committees. We help the parents to attend these meetings by providing assistance when requested.
Program Involvement
Throughout the year we give parents timely information during our PTA Meetings, Open House, Parent-Teacher Conferences, Student-Led Conferences, Family Math and Science Night, Family Literacy Night. We describe our curriculum and standards, share our expectations for students, explain how student performance is measured, and how to monitor student progress. We explain how each individual child and our school as a whole is doing on state tests and other measures of performance. Through the School Advisory Team (SAT), Parental Involvement Committee (PIC), Title I Advisory Council, and other district/campus committees we offer opportunities to respond to parent suggestions, share experiences and concerns, and participate in decisions concerning services and programs offered at our school. Building Capacity for Parental Involvement - Activities to build parental involvement are described throughout this policy. It is part of our role to teach parents how to help their children learn and how to be involved in decision-making about the education of their children. We will also provide other reasonable support for parental involvement activities as requested.
Parent Training
Training and materials are provided during Family Math and Science Nights, Family Literacy Nights. These presentations share information with parents to help them work with their children to improve academic achievement. Our school strives to coordinate and integrate parental involvement activities among the different programs available on our campus. Shared parental involvement activities are sponsored for Title I schools such as Learning Tree, Family Literacy Program, Family Involvement Programs, Families All Together Program (FAST), Head Start, Migrant Education Program, Title III Bilingual/ESL, and PreK for SA. The development of school-business partnerships that include activities for parents is encouraged. Community-based organizations and businesses are given information about opportunities for working with parents. Staff Training - Training is also given to teachers and other staff members. All school staff views the District Parental and Family Involvement Video which emphasizes the importance of parents as partners and the building of ties between home and school. When possible, parents are involved in the development of this training.
Accessibility
Participation and involvement of all parents is important. Information related to student achievement, school performance, school and parent programs, meetings and other opportunities for participation is sent home in the home language whenever possible. Some of the standard information sent home in Spanish includes this policy, School-Parent-Student Compact, announcements, newsletters, report cards, school profiles, and student test results. For parents whose home language is other than English or Spanish, we provide an interpreter for parent conferences. For parents of migrant students, we make home visits or provide assistance when requested. Interpreters for the deaf and other adaptations are provided whenever needed. We ensure the ability of parents with disabilities to participate by providing handicapped access to classrooms and buildings where meetings are held. Date Reviewed/Evaluated: March 26, 2014 Date Distributed: August 25, 2014 This policy complies with the Northside Independent School District’s policies for parental involvement. EHBD (Legal) and EHBD (Local)
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT POLICY DIRECTIONS
1. Schedule a Parental Involvement Policy review meeting with one or more committees (Parental Involvement Committee, Campus Leadership Team, SAT, etc.). 2. Using this Parental Involvement Policy template insert needed campus information in all highlighted areas. Remove all text highlight color (select no color). 3. Note the dates for Date Reviewed/Evaluated and Date Distributed on the last page. Distribution date is usually noted as the first day of the next school year. 4. Complete Parental Involvement Policy Checklist and Evaluation for the updated policy. More than one checklist/evaluation may be completed – one for each meeting in which the policy is discussed and evaluated (Parental Involvement Committee, Campus Leadership Team, SAT). 5. Send the following documentation to the Title I office on or before May 15: Meeting Notification Meeting Agenda Sign-in Sheet Meeting Minutes Updated Parental Involvement Policy Parental Involvement Policy Checklist/Evaluation 6. Note: When copying the policy for printing and distribution do not include this page.