2112 - PARENT INVOLVEMENT IN THE SCHOOL PROGRAM

Cedar Springs Public School District

Administrative Guidelines

2112 - PARENT INVOLVEMENT IN THE SCHOOL PROGRAM

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 the learning outcomes;

	B.	providing a school and home environment which encourages learning and augments, at home, the learning experiences provided by the school;

	C.	establishing and supporting a consistent and shared approach to child guidance and discipline;

	D.	providing for the proper health, safety, and well-being for their child;

	E.	developing English language proficiency;

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

The District shall develop a Parental Involvement Plan by which a school-parent partnership can be established and provided 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 Parental Involvement Plan for the District (with building/program specific goals as desired) shall include, but not be limited to, the following strategies:

	A.	Provide child's individual assessment results, reading results, progress reports, report cards, parent conferences.

	B.	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. The District will also provide each school's discipline plan along with a tardy plan.

	C.	Arrange flexible scheduled parent/teacher conferences and parent requested conferences.

	D.	Post PTA/PTO meetings, and parent involvement meetings on the District website and via-e-mail.

	E.	Publish an annual notice in the District and School Newsletter(s) informing parents about the Parental Involvement Plan and other events at the school(s). Ongoing communication will also have a positive invitation to parents to participate in various activities while providing parents information at a glance about scheduled District and school meetings and activities.

	F.	Maintain a consistent, District wide effort to communicate regularly with parents.

	G.	Schedule at least two (2) student conferences annually with the teacher(s) to inform parents of student's progress.

	H.	Distribute periodic weekly newsletters from principals and teachers informing parents of upcoming District events and curriculum being taught.

	I.	Send folders home (each week, bi-weekly, monthly) to keep elementary parents abreast of individual student progress and maintain open lines of communication.

	J.	Make calls, use e-mail letters as needed for teachers and administrators to communicate with parents.

	K.	Distribute home language surveys annually to identify students for whom English is a second language to provide a means for developing individualized instruction when needed.

	L.	Encourage continued positive partnerships involvement throughout the community by staff and administrators.

	M.	Have the District's high school students offer tutoring through the National Honor Society upon request.

	N.	Have students perform at various functions throughout the community.

	O.	Encourage parents to serve as chaperones for class field trips and other school activities.

	P.	Provide parenting classes throughout the year.

	Q.	Hold an annual recognition event for parents and volunteers who have helped throughout the year.

	R.	Have school administration and staff provide test data and interpretation meetings to allow parents to ask questions.

	S.	Provide opportunities for discussions between parents, administrators and staff to address problems and find solutions for students having difficulties, either academically or socially.

	T.	Place current and accurate announcements on the schools marquis throughout the District.

Relations with Parents

The District encourages 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 District, 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 District 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.