LAUREL ELEMENTARY
PARENT INVOLVEMENT PLAN
2008-2009
Laurel Elementary School welcomes and encourages the participation of parents in the education of their children. Laurel Elementary provides the following opportunities for parents and families to be involved and informed in their child's education:
1. Parent Involvement Plan Meetings
2. School Improvement Plan Meetings
3. Grade Level Orientation
4. Grade Level Meetings
5. Parent-Teacher Communication Folders
6. Parent-Teacher Organization
7. Technology Training
8. Parent-Teacher Conferences
9. Annual Title I Meetings
10. School- Parent Compact
11. Volunteering, attending special celebrations, and participating in family field trips and family activities at school.
Parents are notified of these and other opportunities through phone calls home, newsletters, meeting invitations, postings on the outside school sign, and may also be advertised in the Tomahawk (local newspaper).
The Parent Involvement Plan for Laurel Elementary is developed and written by a team of parents, teachers, and the principal of Laurel Elementary. Each stakeholder provides valuable input in the formation of this plan. Our team of parents, teachers, and the principal of Laurel Elementary meet annually in the fall of each school year to evaluate and update the plan to meet the changing needs of our students and families in the Laurel community. Parents are asked to help plan, review, revise, and assist in the improvement of programs for parent involvement at Laurel Elementary. Parents are invited to attend the annual meeting as well as meetings scheduled upon request by the parents or school to review programs already in place and assist in the evaluation of those programs as well as the development of new ideas and experiences to improve parent involvement.
School Improvement Plan meetings are conducted in the fall of the current school year to revise the current plan and keep it up to date with data analysis and current school wide data driven goals. Parents are invited to assist in the revision and update of the working School Improvement Plan annually. Teachers, principal, and parents work in teams to compile information and update each of the six components. Parents are also notified of the school's yearly academic and value added progress as well as No Child Left Behind school progress during these meetings and in written form to the entire population of Laurel School and the community.
Grade level orientation at the beginning of the year makes it possible for parents to get an overall view of expectations throughout the year by the principal and classroom teacher. Parents are given a copy of specific performance indicators and skills from the blueprint for learning for each grade level. These indicators and skills taken from the blueprint for learning are discussed and related to the teacher assessments given throughout the year as well as tie in to the annual T-CAP test given in grades 3-6. Teachers stress the importance in skill mastery and proficiency in these curriculum areas and provide parents ideas and suggestions on how to help their child in school. Each teacher chooses an activity to do with parents so parents know how the classroom is set up and how various methods are used to teach the curriculum. Data analysis of test scores is also presented to parents of children in the tested grades. Teachers orient parents with teacher created data walls plotting each child's "secret" number so they may visit the data wall to see how their child has performed and how their child relates to their peers. Children also have the "secret" number so they may continue to track and be aware of their progress on the T-CAP and Think link paper assessment. Parents are also made aware of the daily parent-teacher communication folder which is sent home each day in all grades at Laurel Elementary.
Grade level meetings are held throughout the year to further enhance the family's understanding of academic curriculum, specific performance indicators, various forms of assessments, and evaluation of individual student assessment data. Parents also receive individual folders containing individual student progress reports, proficiency level, and current year test projections in each tested subject. The T-CAP assessment reports, Think link assessments, and TVAAS documentation will be presented and discussed to provide each parent the opportunity to work closely with the teacher and student to evaluate student progress, proficiency level, and current test projections in all subject areas.
Parent-teacher communication folders are used school wide to communicate daily with parents. Conduct evaluations are logged each day in the folder as well as teacher notes and communication. Parents are asked to communicate with the teacher and school through the use of the red parent teacher communication folder. Assessments, academic concerns, attendance, newsletters, and notes home are a visible, organized piece of the daily communication to parents at Laurel Elementary school by using these folders.
Laurel Elementary parent teacher organization meets monthly on Tuesday nights at 7 p.m. to plan fundraisers, discuss concerns, and plan upcoming events at Laurel Elementary. The PTO currently is in the process of offering day meetings as well as in an effort to solicit more parental involvement. Teachers offer incentives to students in an effort to lure in more parents. Technology training, curriculum presentations, student performances, and school and county website orientation are just a few occurrences taking place at monthly PTO meetings.
Technology training is offered at one or more of the following meetings throughout the year; PTO meetings, grade level meetings, grade level orientation, parent-teacher conferences, and family field trip to the library and upon parental request. Parents have the opportunity to utilize technology as a tool for staying informed as well as assisting children in their academic endeavors through the use of Netrekkar, Brain pop, Think link, Tennessee State Department of education website, Johnson County School website, and Laurel Elementary website. These technology opportunities may also be offered at various parent involvement trainings throughout the year as well. All of these websites provide lesson plan ideas, testing information, and opportunities for assessment, interactive lessons and games for teachers and students. These are just a few samples of the many items to utilize on these websites.
Parent teacher conferences allow for yet another way for parents and teachers to form an important partnership to share information and concerns as well as creating new learning experiences for the students. Two conferences are held during the year, in the fall, and in the spring. parents are strongly encouraged to visit the school, communicate with staff, and schedule additional conferences as needed. Student progress is monitored through midterm reports, traditional grade cards, and think link assessments, TVAAS reports and projections, and other methods such as timely phone calls, letters, checklists, reading logs, school and class newsletters, as well as parent teacher communication folders.
Laurel Elementary School holds annual flexible Title I meetings in the afternoon or evenings for the convenience of our parents. We also hold these meetings upon request as well. The annual Title I meeting informs parents and family members of the school's participation with Title I and other Title programs. During the meeting the requirements of the Title I program are explained to the parents verbally and in written form (handouts). parents are briefed on their right to be involved in the school and are encouraged to do so through various suggested activities. Parents are involved in the development and implementation of the Title I program through the opportunity to serve on the Title I committee. parent questions and suggestions concerning Title I are addressed in a timely manner.
The school parent compact is created and developed by a team of parents, teachers, and principal to provide a written commitment for all involved to acquire a high level of success for our students. Students, teachers, parents, and principal sign in agreement to fulfill the committee outlined for the specific stakeholder. The school parent compact is also reviewed annually with the parent involvement plan to continue to meet the changing needs of our students, parents, and teachers.
All parents are encouraged to become active in our school. They are asked to donate theri time and talents by volunteering. Parent volunteers help with reading programs such as RIF, book fairs, reading to classes, as well as tutoring students to give extra support and encouragement to those who need a little extra boost. Parents are invited to participate in veteran's day celebrations, American education week activities, red ribbon week, Christmas activities, student plays, special lunch days, literacy events, and holiday celebrations. Interactive homework assignments and student/family projects are assigned throughout the year and displayed in the hallways outside the classroom. Family field trips to the library, fantasy in lights, and Dolly wood provide economical ways for families to spend quality time together while having fun with the assistance and support of Laurel Elementary school.
All information supplied to the parents, family members, and the community of Laurel Elementary is provided verbally and/or in written form (handouts, newsletters, invitations, etc.) Alternative formats are provided upon request, and, to the extent practicable in a language parents understand. Opportunities are provided for the participation of parents with limited English proficiency, parents with disability, and parents of migratory children when applicable.