Abbeville Elementary School (AES) shall hold its annual meeting for the parents/guardians of AES during the month of August. Parents are notified of the meeting by notices sent home with the children, newspaper announcements, and a posting on the school sign. Some of the topics to be discussed will include areas of interest indicated on a survey as follows:

ü       Title I participation, its services, and parents’ rights

ü       An explanation of the school’s curriculum and the state’s content standards

ü       The school-wide plan

ü       The school’s parental involvement plan

ü       The school-parent-student compacts

ü       The parent center

ü       The parent survey

ü       Tips on helping with homework

ü       Improving reading and math skills

In addition to the annual meeting, AES shall hold an open house prior to the first day of school. The parents/guardians and students will locate their classrooms and meet with the teachers. Parents are notified of the meeting by newspaper announcements and the school sign posting.

AES administration and faculty understands the importance of parental involvement and offers parent meetings/conferences to accommodate the various work schedules of parents/guardians. The parent facilitator, an administrator or designee, or school counselor shall make every effort to meet with a parent/guardian at any time. In addition, the parent center will be located in the counselor’s resource room.

AES believes that parents/guardians are to be involved in all aspects of its Title I programs. We shall have a minimum of three parent representatives on our school-wide advisory council who are involved in AES activities. The information gathered from surveys will provide input on activities, training, and materials that the school should offer to the parents/guardians for the school year. Results from the surveys will help determine what is needed in the parental involvement plan, as well as the school-wide plan.

AES shall convene its school-wide advisory council to review, evaluate, and revise the plan annually. A minimum of three parent representatives shall be present. All parents will be notified of the review process through letters sent home and the date indicated on our monthly calendar and newsletter. The letter shall make parents/guardians aware that the plan is under review and that a copy is available in the student handbook. The letter shall also state that all parents/guardians have the right to give their input in the revising of the plan. It shall also be stated that parents/guardians have the right to submit any concerns in writing to the school if they feel the plan is unsatisfactory after it has been finalized and approved.

AES revised its school-parent-student compacts in July 2007. Various components were added to the compact in order to meet the state requirements. The new compacts were modified to better identify roles of each stakeholder. The compacts shall be referred to at different times throughout the school year, such as during conferences with students and/or parents/guardians. Explanation of the compact will be discussed with each of the stakeholders and the signing of the compact shall indicate that there is a commitment to working together to ensure the child’s success in school.

AES shall work to ensure that a partnership between parent/guardians and the school is established to improve overall student success in the social aspects, as well as in academic achievement. In addition to topics discussed at the annual meeting, AES shall:

1. Promote activities and programs for families to become involved in the educational process in order to provide academic assistance at home and at school by using compacts, volunteer programs, parenting classes, open house, statewide parenting day, parent/teacher conferences, and parent center. The parent center is equipped with materials that parents can check out to assist them in helping their child gain success in school. Materials include the following:

ü       Reading kits with books

ü       Audiotapes

ü       Videos

ü       Math flash cards

ü       Math manipulatives

ü       Pamphlets and flyers on various topics

ü       Information on community agencies such as DHR, Child Advocacy Center, truancy prevention, Henry County Extension Program, and 4-H Club

2. Educate the faculty and staff in the importance of parental

contributions, how to reach out and communicate with parents/guardians as valuable partners in the goal of their child’s academic achievement. AES shall work with the teachers and other staff members to emphasize the importance of parental involvement and fostering a partnership with parents/guardians.

3. To the extent appropriate, coordinate parent involvement programs and

activities that encourage and support all parents/guardians in participating in their child’s education. Spanish speaking parents/guardians of ELL students are provided with information, pamphlets, and meeting notices that have been translated into Spanish. Bilingual parents, community members, or older children assist in translation when needed and appropriate.

4. Provide other reasonable support for parental involvement activities

under this section. AES makes every attempt to work with parents in meeting requests that will enhance their child’s education.

5. AES makes every effort to accommodate parents/guardians with

Disabilities and the buildings are handicapped accessible.

AES understands that engaging parents in the education process is essential to improve academic success for students. It further recognizes that a child’s education is a responsibility shared by the school and family during the entire time a child attends school. Therefore, AES shall foster and support active parent involvement so that we work together as knowledgeable partners in educating our children.

Although parents may be diverse in culture, language, and needs, they share the school’s commitment to the educational success of their children. AES recognizes its responsibility to eliminate barriers that may impede family involvement programs that have been developed in collaboration with parents. Therefore, this policy shall establish programs and practices that reflect the specific needs of AES students and their families.

AES supports the development, implementation, and regular evaluation of a parent involvement program that includes parents at all grade levels in a variety of roles. Parent involvement programs will be comprehensive and coordinated in nature. They will include, but not limited to, the following

Components of successful parent/family involvement programs based on the National PTA’s Standards for Parents/Family Involvement Programs:

ü       Communication between home and school is regular, two-way, and meaningful. Informing parents of pertinent information regarding their child is essential.

ü       Responsible parenting is promoted and supported. AES recognizes that parents are their first and most important teacher.

ü       Parents play an integral role in assisting student learning. AES encourages parents to involve themselves in their child’s learning experiences at school as well as at home.

ü       Parents are welcome in the school, and their support and assistance are sought. The parents are encouraged to exercise their right to visit their child’s classroom, eat lunch with their child, view their child’s records, and meet with faculty and staff about anything that concerns their child.

ü       Parents are full partners in the decisions that affect children and families. Parents are encouraged to fully participate in decisions that affect their child’s education and well being. We provide opportunities for parents to share in decisions about policies through surveys and parent meetings.

ü       Community resources are made available to strengthen school programs, family practices, and student learning. AES is committed to working with community agencies such as DHR, Child Advocacy, SpectraCare, Henry County Extension, 4-H, as well as any other agencies that provide services to children and families.

AES recognizes the importance of administrative leadership in setting expectations and creating a climate conducive to parent participation. AES recognizes the value of staff development and provides opportunities that will enhance the faculty’s ability to further develop and expand parent involvement.

AES supports the implementation of this policy. A copy of this policy will be distributed to every parent/guardian and teacher. Support will be provided to parents and teachers as they plan and implement effective parent involvement programs. Parental involvement is absolutely a key establishing an effective program. We understand the value of parental input and work to implement suggestions and ideas. Therefore, we commit to devoting time and resources in implementing the contents of this policy.

AES ensures that parents will participate in an evaluation of content and effect of this policy on student success. The evaluation will be used to improve and/or create practices to enhance parent involvement. At a minimum, this policy will be reviewed and revised annually to make needed changes or modifications to maintain continued effectiveness of this policy.

Adopted on July 30, 2007, by Abbeville Elementary School