Title I Parent Involvement

The Rockingham County Board of Education believes that parents are essential partners in building academic success for children; therefore, all Title I parents will be made aware of the importance of their role in their children's education by the development of a Parent Compact.  This compact, signed by the parents, teachers, and students, will identify responsibilities of each person as they help the student meet state student performance standards.

Rockingham County Schools will address the needs of all Title I families by helping make parents feel welcome in schools regardless of their family situation, education, gender, ethnicity or income level.  Since communication is a vital link in this partnership, all staff members will strive to improve communication between the schools and parents.

To accomplish these goals, each school shall convene an annual meeting; offer a flexible number of meetings/workshops; involve parents in an organized, on-going, and timely way in planning, reviewing and improving the programs; provide parents timely information about the programs, curriculum and assessment; provide assistance to participating parents related to monitoring a child's progress and working with educators to improve the performance of their children; have all parties involved sign a Student-Parent-Teacher-Compact; address the importance of communication/conferences; provide frequent reports on each child's class and to observe classroom activities; assist parents in understanding National Education Goals, state student performance standards and local assessments; coordinate adult/family literacy training opportunities with other agencies; communicate in a language parents can understand; develop appropriate roles for community based organizations and businesses in parent involvement opportunities, support parent training workshops and other activities for parent education; and coordinate and integrate parent involvement progress and activities with Head Start and public pre-school programs.

Williamsburg Elementary School qualified as a Title I school again this year.  As a Title I school we receive additional federal funds to provide extra instructional support for our students.  An extensive school-wide plan has been written to implement the use of our Title I funds.  Our plan of action is to use the money to hire additional classroom teachers and assistants to reduce class sizes.   Reducing the class size will help create more opportunities for student success, which should help students to have a positive self-image and increase their desire to achieve academically.  We believe that parents are essential partners in educational success and encourage you to visit the school often.

Your role as a parent is vital to the success of our school.  We want you to feel welcome at Williamsburg.  Communication is a vital link in the partnership we hope to form with you.  All staff members will strive to communicate with you regarding your child.  Please do not hesitate to contact us when you have questions or concerns.

Title I

Parent Involvement Policy for Williamsburg Elementary School

2012-2013

At Williamsburg Elementary School our desire is for all students to become successful, lifelong learners.  In order for student achievement to rise, we must involve the school staff as well as the parents and families in the education of each student.

This policy has been devised as a part of the No Child Left Behind Legislation of 2001.  We hope this policy will clearly explain the plans Williamsburg School has for informing parents of individual student progress along with school and Title I happenings.  In addition, we want to offer training opportunities for parents to learn how to mirror school activities with their child at home, maximizing student learning.

Since many of our parents work different schedules, we will try to accommodate their needs by announcing events well in advance and by scheduling school events at various times of the day.  We will make every effort possible to assist parents needing special services using the ESL teacher, school counselor and social worker.

Finally, to accommodate the needs of our diverse students, we will make every effort to translate documents, memos, and letters for our non-English speaking parents.  Communication to all parents is a goal of the Williamsburg School staff.

Parent Involvement Goals for the  2012-2013  school year

1.  Williamsburg Elementary School will keep parents informed about the North Carolina Standard Course of Study in relationship to their child's individual progress.  These specific curricular issues will be shared with parents by:

• Student/Parent handbook distributed to each student in the student planners
• Inviting parents to parent/teacher conferences throughout the year
• Sending student work home in Friday folders
• Providing parent trainings on the following curriculum issues:

Literacy and leveled books

Math strategies

End of year assessments

2.  Williamsburg Elementary School will keep parents informed of activities and events by:

• Title I Annual Meeting
• Monthly newsletters
• Sending memos as needed
• Posting signs and fliers on the school campus
• Weekly homework sheets
• Student Planners
• Telephone messages on the Connect Ed telephone system
• Posting messages and calendars on the Teacherweb.com teacher pages

3.  Williamsburg Elementary School will invite families to a variety of events where children will be recognized for academic achievement, behavioral improvements, as well as student performances such as:

• Award assemblies for honor roll and most improved
• Terrific Kid Assemblies
• Parent Nights
• Black History month assembly
• Character Education and other educational assemblies
• Holiday and Show Choir performances
• End of year recognitions

4.  Williamsburg Elementary School will provide opportunities for our students' families to become active participants in school activities such as:

• Open House
• Title I Annual Meeting
• Parent training sessions
• Classroom observations
• Breakfast/Lunch with your child
• Book fair
• Various opportunities to volunteer

Harvest and Spring Festival

Jump Rope for Heart

Helping in the classroom

Library helpers

Field Day

Career Day

Field trips

PTSO

Community service and outreach projects

5.  Williamsburg Elementary School will provide opportunities for parental input via surveys, questionnaires, and review of material in the following:

• School Improvement Plan review
• Title I parent survey
• Parent policy recommendations

Williamsburg School would like to make parents, families, and community members feel that they play an important role in the education of their children.  By working as a team, it is our hope that the children of Williamsburg School will become successful learners for a lifetime.