Parent Involvement Plan

The school district will be governed by the following statutory definition of parental involvement, and will carry out programs, activities, and procedures in accordance with this definition:

Parental involvement means the participation of parents in regular, two-way, and meaningful communication involving student academic learning and other school activities, including ensuring-

1. that parents play an integral role in assisting their child's learning;
2. that parents are encouraged to be actively involved in their child's education at school;
3. that parents are full partners in their child's education and are included, as appropriate, in decision-making and on advisory committees to assist in the education of their child;
4. the carrying out of other activities, such as those described in section 1118 of the ESEA.

Each fall, an annual meeting will be held so parents can review the policy and engage in meaningful discussion with school employees. A focus of this meeting will be on ways to review, plan and implement strategies to increase school-home partnerships.

Each fall an open house will be held for parents of students in grades K-12.

On conference day in March, parents of students in grades K-8 will be given an evaluation form to complete and return to the district office. Forms will be mailed to parents of high school students. A team of employees will compile the information received. This information will be used to make revisions in the Parental Involvement Policy, as deemed necessary by the team.

Each district will spend a portion of faculty meeting time to discuss ways staff can foster an increase of parental involvement. Though administratively led, all staff members are encouraged to share strategies used for successful involvement.

In order to ensure that parents know they are collaborators in the academic success of their child, all ITBS and WASL scores are given to them. School staff members will be available, through appointments, to discuss the results.

Conferences will be held in the fall for parents of all students in Grades K-12. In spring, conferences will be held for parents of students in grades K-8. Staff members will be available throughout the year, as needed, for conferences. Appointments with teachers can be made through the district office.

Progress reports will be given to students in grades 4-12 on a weekly basis. As well as receiving them from students, parents can get reports through the school's web site.

Parents are encouraged to be partners with classroom teachers in the educational process. From activities such as helping with room parties and field trips, to becoming volunteers as arranged with teachers, parents are treated as an integral part of the school and their child's success.

The Cooperative Schools of St. John and Endicott will work with parents to try and remove all barriers that might be associated with parental involvement. Should there be a situation with literacy, parents will have a staff member available to ensure communication is frequent and clear. If a language barrier is present, the district will seek interpretive help.

The Cooperative Schools of St. John and Endicott will work with parents as equal partners, and will value the contributions of parents to the educational process.