INDIAN SPRINGS DISTRICT #109

PARENT INVOLVEMENT POLICY

It is the intent of = the Indian Springs District #109 that parents of participating students shall be provided with frequent and convenient opportunities for full and ongoing participation in the district’s Title I program[1], including opportunities to suggest modifications, based on changing needs of parents and the schools.[2] Informing parents of student eligi= bility will be done personally and in a way that positively welcomes parents into = the Title I program.

District #109’= s Title I program promotes the belief that all children can learn and acknowledges = that parents share the school’s commitment to educational success for all students. We recognize that a= student’s education is a responsibility shared by school, family, and community. As a result, the program is design= ed to assist students to acquire the capacities for achieving the Illinois learning Standards. District = staff and Title I schools work jointly to ensure effective involvement of parents. Parents are provided opportunities to become involved in their child’s education in a vari= ety and flexible ways that include:

n&nb= sp; Implementi= ng Parent-Teacher Compacts

n&nb= sp; Surveying parents to determine their needs and the effectiveness of the program<= /o:p>

The effectiveness of each school’s Title I parent program will be determi= ned through an on-going evaluation process that focuses on the following questi= ons:

Does this policy increase parent participation?= What barriers to parent participation still exist and how can they be reduced or removed?

n&nb= sp; Providing flexible times and locations for informal meetings

n&nb= sp; Communicat= ing effectively and regularly via telephone calls, e-mail, newsletters, personal contact, letters, pamphlets)

n&nb= sp; Providing parents with timely information about Title I meetings and activities in a format and in a language parents can understand

n&nb= sp; Coordinati= ng and integrating the Title I program, to the extent feasible and appropriate, wi= th other school parent programs such as Reading First and the district’s Pre-K and Early Childhood programs

n&nb= sp; Sharing op= tions for coordinating and integrating Title I program strategies with services of other community programs, businesses, and agencies

This policy outlines= the parent involvement activities that will be conducted during the school year= at all Title I Schools.

n&nb= sp; Parents wi= ll receive a copy of the Parent Involvement Policy (this document), which describes the ongoing activities that are held to inform and involve parent= s in their child’s education.

n&nb= sp; Parents wi= ll receive a copy of the Parent-School Compact. This is an agreement between the h= ome and school outlining everyone’s responsibility for supporting student learning.

n&nb= sp; A Title I = Parent Orientation meeting will be held in September to welcome parents to the program. The orientation will cover:

o = How children are selected to be in the Title I program

o = The structure of the Early Literacy Title I pro= gram

o = The activities with which children will be invo= lved

o = The district’s standards-based curriculum, local and state assessments, ways the district monitors progress to determine gro= wth at the three benchmark periods as well as between the benchmark periods

o = How and when assessment information will be sen= t to parents

This = meeting will also outline additional opportunities through which parents can active= ly participate in and have input about the Title I program. These include but are not limited = to:

o = Newsletters with suggestions on how to increase fluency and comprehension, check out books for home, and other information = for helping children to succeed will be sent home periodically throughout the year.

o = Parent-Teacher conferences are scheduled in Nov= ember and February. Title I teacher= s are available to review a child’s progress and answer any questions.=

o = Surveys will be given in the fall and spring th= at allow parents another avenue for voicing their feelings about the Title I program. The results from the parent surveys as well as teacher surveys will be considered when planning = for the next year. Parents are encouraged to attend this important meeting.

o = Two addition meetings are hosted so parents can= give input about the effectiveness of the program. The last meeting will review progr= ess made. Schools get input in the form of surveys, workshop evaluations, phone logs, and personal comments. Parent responses will be used to evaluate the success of the program or to suggest revisions that can be mad= e to improve upon it.

In addition, Indian = Springs District #109 will provide coordination, technical assistance, and other support necessary to assist schools in planning and implementing effective parent involvement activities to improve student academic achievement and school performance.[3] We invite you to call the school or Title I teachers at any time during the year to ask questions you may have = or to schedule a visit or meeting. Parents are welcome in the schools and their support and assistance = are sought. We are excited about = the opportunities this program provides and know that your child will have a wonderful experience by being involved with it.

[1] This= is a Title I federally funded program.

[2] This policy and the plan to implement it have been developed jointly and in agreement with parents and educators

from Indian Springs District #109.&= nbsp; It will be distributed to parents of students participating in the T= itle I program.

The policy is available to the local community from the district office or scho= ols and is on the district’s website:&nb= sp;

http://ww.ISD109.org = &nb= sp; Updated August 2002, 2004, 2005

[3] Dist= rict #109 submits any parent comments with its plan, especially if the parent is= not satisfied with the plan, to the State.