Parent Involvement Policy
2007-2008
November 16, 2007
2007-2008 PARENT INVOLVEMENT POLICY
Parent Involvement: Empowering parents to participate in their children’s education.
The Charles City School District recognizes that parental involvement is the key to academic achievement. The term parent refers to any caregiver who assumes responsibility for nurturing and caring for children. This includes parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, foster parents, step parents, etc.
Parents and families provide the primary educational environment for children; consequently, parents are vital and necessary partners with the educational communities throughout their children’s school career. School districts and schools, in collaboration with parents, teachers, students and administrators should establish and develop efforts that enhance parental involvement and reflect the needs of students, parents, and families in the communities in which they serve.
In order to enhance parental involvement, six essential elements should be promoted:
Communication between home and school is regular, two way, and meaningful: Effective communication requires school initiated contact with the parent and parent initiated contact with school whereby both parties provide vital information about a child’s strengths, challenges, and accomplishments.
Responsible parenting is promoted and supported: The family plays a primary role in a child’s education and schools must respect and honor traditions and activities unique to a community’s cultural practices and beliefs.
Parents play an integral role in assisting student learning: Educators recognize and acknowledge parents’ roles as the integral and primary facilitator of their children’s education. Research demonstrates that student achievement increases when parents are actively involved in the learning process.
Schools are open and inviting to parents and families and are actively seeking parental support and assistance for school programs: Parents are welcome in the school and their support and assistance is vital. Capitalizing on the expertise and skills of parents strengthens the family, school, and community partnership.
Parents are full partners in the decision that affect children and families: Parents and educators have a joint responsibility to make informed decisions related to all aspects of the education provided to Iowa’s youth.
Community resources are made available to strengthen school programs, family practices and student learning: Schools and parents will cultivate relationships with additional members in the community in order to promote and effectively increase educational opportunities for children.
Providing all of Charles City’s children with equal access to quality education is a primary goal. It is vital that all partners (parents, educators, and communities) have the opportunity to provide input and offer resources to meet this goal. These partnerships are mutually beneficial. Developing cooperative efforts and linking access to resources will ensure improved academic achievement for all students as well as quality schools.
Parent/Student/School
The elementary and middle schools are eligible for school wide funding from the Title I Program. This program requires that parents and teachers develop a compact or expectations for all persons involved in helping students be successful. The following are those expectations:
THE STUDENT shall:
Believe that he/she can learn and WILL learn;
Show respect for himself/herself, the school and other people;
Obey rules of good conduct and be responsible for his/her own behavior;
Take pride in the school and help keep it safe;
Attend school regularly and prepare to learn;
Work cooperatively with other students and adults;
Always do his/her best.
THE TEACHER shall:
Believe that ALL students can learn;
Show respect for all children and their families;
Demonstrate professional behavior and a positive attitude;
Provide meaningful and appropriate learning activities in a safe and positive environment;
Help all children grow to their fullest potential;
Enforce school and classroom rules fairly and consistently;
Seek ways to involve parents in the school programs;
Regularly provide progress reports to students and parents;
Maintain active communication with students and parents.
THE PARENT/GUARDIAN shall:
Provide a home environment that encourages their child to learn;
Monitor their child’s television viewing and encourage reading at home;
Talk with their child regularly about school activities;
Help maintain their child’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being;
See that their child attends school regularly and on time;
Show respect and support for their child, the school and its staff;
Volunteer time at my child’s school;
Communicate regularly with their child’s teachers.
THE PRINCIPALS shall:
Encourage teachers to meet students’ individual learning needs;
Support teachers in making instructional decisions;
Provide students a role model of socially appropriate behavior;
Establish an environment of positive
