2112 - PARENT INVOLVEMENT IN THE SCHOOL PROGRAM

Mt. Pleasant Public Schools

Bylaws & Policies

The Board of Education believes that durable and significant learning by a student is more likely to occur when there is an effective partnership between the school and the student’s parents/guardians ("parents"). Such a partnership means a mutual belief in and commitment to significant educational goals for a student, a plan for the means to accomplish those goals, cooperation on developing and implementing solutions to problems that may be encountered, and continuing communication regarding the progress in accomplishing the goal(s). To this end, parents should be meaningfully involved in:

	A.	developing and implementing appropriate strategies for helping their child achieve the learning objectives that lead to accomplishing desired learning outcomes;
	B.	providing a mutually supportive school and home environment which encourages learning;
	C.	establishing meaningful learning outcomes which support the development of responsible members of society;
	D.	supporting a consistent and shared approach to child guidance and discipline;
	E.	providing for the proper health, safety, and well-being for their child;
	F.	supporting the development of English language proficiency skills.

The Board is committed to communicating with parents at a level and in a language they can understand, where practicable.

The Board, through this policy, directs the establishment of a parent involvement plan, which can be communicated to the parent of each child in the District. The plan must encompass parent participation, through meetings and other forms of communication. The Parental Involvement Plan shall be distributed to all parents and students through publication in the Student Handbook or other suitable means.

The Superintendent shall direct the development of a Parent Involvement Plan for the District, which may include, among others, the following strategies:

	A.	Hold an annual meeting to inform first time parents of the District parent involvement plan.
	B.	Provide parents with their child’s individual assessment results, reading results, progress reports, report cards and parent conferences.
	C.	Provide a description and explanation of the curriculum in use at the District, the form of assessment used to measure student progress and the proficiency levels students are expected to meet.
	D.	Provide parents with each school's Code of Conduct.
	E.	Arrange flexible scheduled parent/teacher conferences and parent requested conferences.
	F.	Post general parent/teacher meetings, and special parent involvement planning meetings on the District website an/or via e-mail.
	G.	Publish in the District's school newsletter(s) information regarding the parent involvement plan and parent involvement opportunities.
	H.	Schedule regular and brainstorming sessions periodically to provide parents the opportunity to share concerns and desires, and to improve the school environment and student achievement.
	I.	Encourage the establishment of parent-student-teacher compacts that outlines how parents and school staff will share the responsibility for improved student achievement of their children. Such compact should be discussed and revised as necessary.
	J.	Encourage home reading programs. Books may be provided for students to read at home.
	K.	Maintain a consistent, District wide effort to communicate regularly with parents.
	L.	Schedule parent teacher conferences to inform parents of student’s progress.
	M.	Distribute periodic newsletters from teachers informing parents of upcoming District events and curriculum being taught.
	N.	Make calls; use e-mail letters as needed for teachers and administrators to communicate with parents.
	O.	Encourage parental involvement in ongoing reading tutorial program throughout the school year.
	P.	Encourage the development of after school academic clubs or activities to provide students additional opportunities to develop skills.
	Q.	Have older students provide tutoring services to younger students.
	R.	Encourage active faculty participation in PTA or similar school parent groups.
	S.	Have students perform for parents and community.
	T.	Encourage parents to serve as chaperones for class field trips and other school activities.
	U.	Recognize parents and volunteers who have helped throughout the year.
	V.	Have school administration and staff provide test data and interpretation meetings allowing parents to ask questions.
	W.	Provide opportunities for discussions between parents, administrators and staff to address problems and find solutions for students having difficulties, either academically or socially.
	X.	Use homework hotlines to inform homes of assignments and activities. Utilize the website as available.
	Y.	Place current and accurate announcements on the school's marquis.
	Z.	Form an advisory council of District staff, parents and students to assure they are involved in an organized, ongoing and timely way, in the planning, review and improvement of the schools Parental Involvement Plan.

Relations with Parents

The Board needs parents to assume and exercise responsibility for their children’s behavior, including the behavior of students who have reached the legal age of majority, but are still supported by the parent. During the school hours, the Board, through its designated administrators, recognizes the responsibility to monitor students’ behavior and, as with academic matters, the importance of cooperation between the school and the parents in matters relating to conduct.

For the benefit of the child, the Board encourages parents to support their child’s career in school by:

	A.	participating in school functions, organizations and committees;
	B.	supporting the teachers and the schools in maintaining discipline and a safe and orderly learning environment;
	C.	requiring their child to observe all school rules and regulations;
	D.	supporting or enforcing consequences for their child’s willful misbehavior in school;
	E.	sending their children to school with proper attention to his/her health, personal cleanliness, and dress;
	F.	maintaining an active interest in their child’s daily work, monitoring and making it possible for him/her to complete assigned homework by providing a quiet place and suitable conditions for study;
	G.	reading all communications from the school, signing, and returning them promptly when required;
	H.	cooperating with the school in attending conferences set up for the exchange of information of their child’s progress in school.

Sec. 1112, 1118 ESEA
M.C.L.A. 380.1294

Revised 7/18/05