Parent Involvement Policy & Programs
TITLE I PARENT and FAMILY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM
WHAT IS TITLE I?
Title I is a federally-funded program designed to provide a high-quality education that will enable all children to meet the state’s student performance standard. Title I is a part of the “Every Student Succeeds Act” (ESSA) passed by Congress in 2015. Title I programs can provide supplemental instruction in reading, math, science and social studies. These programs use effective methods and instructional strategies that are grounded in scientifically based research.
A school is selected as a Title I school on the basis of the number of students within its boundaries who are eligible for free or reduced-priced meals. Students are selected to participate based on academic need.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
West Oak Lane Charter Schools (WOLCS) is dedicated to providing a quality education for every student in our School. Since WOLCS uses School-Wide Title I Programs, all students benefit from these services. WOLCS believes that a positive link between home and school create the best learning condition for every child. To accomplish this objective, WOLCS develops and maintains partnerships with parents / caregivers, patrons, and community members. These open communication lines expand and enhance learning opportunities for everyone involved.
All students are expected to work toward mastering the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for their grade level. WOLCS recognizes the fact that some students will need extra assistance to achieve their full potential. The extra assistance is available through the Title I program, and various other educational services offered through the school.
WOLCS includes parents and guardians in all aspects of the Title I program. Students will be given every opportunity for success through the development and enhancement of the home/school partnership.
TITLE I PROGRAM
The school has a Title I School-Wide Plan that describes the school’s immediate needs and the programs being put in place to address those needs. Data is gathered and analyzed, and goals are set for the coming year. This School-Wide Plan is evaluated annually to determine its success and to make changes to the plan as needed.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT IN PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
Parents, members of the community, and school staff meet to discuss the design, implementation, and effectiveness of the Title I program regularly. Representatives from Families Being Involved (FBI) parent leadership group review and update the school's Title I School -Wide Plan annually. Surveys are sent home to all parents annually about the effectiveness of the program.
The school will involve parents in decisions about how the 1 percent of Title I, Part A funds reserved for parental involvement is spent, and will ensure that not less than 95 percent of the one percent reserved goes directly to the school.
ANNUAL MEETING FOR TITLE I PARENTS / CAREGIVERS
WOLCS holds at least one meeting annually to review Title I Policy and services offered through the school. Copies of the school’s current Parent Involvement Policy are distributed both before and at the meeting. Parents are encouraged to become involved in the revising and updating the Policy as necessary.
The meeting is held in October each school year. Notice of the meeting is on the published school calendar and is provided through written invitations to parents / caregivers. WOLCS will provide all information in any language requested.
PARENT, STUDENT, AND SCHOOL COMPACTS -– WHATEVER IT TAKES PLEDGE
In accordance with Title I regulations, the Parent, Student and School Compact is annually updated. This compact provides an outline to enable the school and parents / caregivers to share responsibility for student performance and success. This compact explains how students, parents / caregivers, and staff share responsibility for promoting student achievement.
PARENT ACTIVITIES
WOLCS will host several Parent Engagement Activities throughout the school year:
- Back to School Night
- Parent Association Meetings - Parent Association provides parents with the opportunity to support their school by planning and raising funds for student celebration, academic support, and community pride related
- Parent Teacher Conferences – Three times a year, parents meet with their children’s teachers to review report cards and discuss their child’s academic progress.
- School Improvement Plan Parent Review – Parent leaders work with school leaders to develop the School Improvement Plan as needed.
- High School, College and Career Preparation Meetings (6th, 7th, 8th)
- Town Hall Meetings – Twice a year, parents get an update on the school’s progress and have an opportunity to express concerns and ask key questions of WOLCS’s CEO and board members.
- Muffins with Moms
- Donuts with Dads
- Reading under the Stars
- Scavenger Hunts
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
WOLCS provides numerous opportunities for parental involvement as it strives to develop and maintain an optimum learning environment for all students:
- Parents may contribute by creating a supportive home environment.
- Parents are encouraged to participate in parent - teacher conferences.
- Parents are encouraged to attend school meetings and student programs.
- Parents may contribute through volunteer programs.
- Parents are surveyed to get input about the Title I program.
- Parents are invited to visit the school.
- Parents are encouraged to become involved with the school parent leadership committees (Families Being Involved (FBI).
- Translators and translation services will be provided for parents when needed upon request.
TITLE I COMMUNICATION
- Report Cards sent home every six weeks
- Annual Title I Presentation – October
- Parent, Student and School Compacts
- Quarter 1 Parent Teacher Conferences
- Quarter 2 Parent Teacher Conferences
- Quarter 3 Parent Teacher Conferences
- WOLCS Web Site
- PowerSchool Parent Portal
- Lee’s House Calls
- Class Dojo
- Monthly Families Being Involved Meetings (FBI)
STAFF AND PARENT COMMUNICATION
Parents / caregivers are informed of school activities through various avenues of communication throughout the school year. They are consulted in the design, development and implementation of the Title I program.
Newsletters, teacher notes, conferences, personal contacts, phone calls and written notices are used to establish and maintain open lines of communication with parents / caregivers. WOLCS staff members are trained in positive communication activities as well as effective ways to work with parents, students, and members of the community. WOLCS staff maintains a record of parent contacts throughout the school year. In all aspects of its program, to the extent practicable, the school will provide full opportunities for the participation of parents with limited English proficiency, parents with disabilities, and parents of migratory children, including providing information and school reports in an understandable and uniform format and, including alternative formats upon request, and in a language, parents understand.
EVALUATION
Parents’ surveys, including questions about the effectiveness of the program, are distributed and the results tabulated each year. Teacher surveys and teacher contact records used to determine the number and kind of interaction between school and parents. The School Improvement Committee revises the WOLCS Parent Involvement Policy based on the results of this annual review. The School Improvement Committee meets throughout the school year to evaluate and update the progress of Title I programs.
Please e-mail or call the Title I Coordinator, Tamara Jackson, at [email protected] (215) 927-7995 with questions or input concerning our Title I programs.
PARENT NOTIFICATION OF TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS
WOLCS Charter Schools uses school-wide Title I programs. Parents of WOLCS students have the right to know the professional qualifications of the classroom teachers who instruct your child. WOLCS along with Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) recognize that all children can achieve the same high standards and must be provided the education they need to reach those standards. ESSA gives parents new opportunities to make sure their child receives the very best education possible.
ESSA also requires WOLCS to provide parents with the following information in a timely manner if they request it. Parents have the right to request the following information about each of their child’s classroom teachers:
- Whether the teacher meets the state qualifications and licensing criteria for the grades and subject he/she teaches.
- Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or provisional status because of special circumstances.
- The teacher’s college major, whether the teacher has any advanced degrees, and the field of discipline certification or degree.
- Whether paraprofessionals provide services to their child and, if so, their qualifications.
If you would like to receive any of this information, please contact Title I Coordinator, Tamara Jackson, at [email protected] (215) 927-7995.