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Columbia School District
Parent-Community Involvement Action Plan
The Columbia School District has always valued
and encouraged assistance in the important endeavor of educating
this community’s youth. This vital process can only be properly
accomplished with the cooperation of home – school – community.
It is the goal of all stakeholders that students achieve their
greatest potential and this can only be reached through
collaboration and commitment. There are many levels of
involvement in the educational process. In the Columbia School
District, we work hard at finding ways for everyone to play a
role…some roles are more significant, but all roles make a
difference.
Utilizing all of its resources to implement the
Parent-Community Involvement Action Plan, the Columbia School
District – parents, teachers, students, administrators and
community members will strive to develop and promote activities
that enrich meaningful involvement. The cultivation of
involvement will be based on the identified needs of students,
parents, families and this community. It is common knowledge
that when parents and community stakeholders support education
the following student results are evident:
Without a doubt, it is obvious that when parental and community
involvement is active, responsive and committed to assisting the
educational process, better opportunities and outcomes are the
positive consequences…for students’ sakes.
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The Columbia School District fully supports the
National
Standards for Parent/Family Involvement Programs, based on Dr.
Joyce Epstein’s framework: |
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Standard #1: |
Communicating – Communication between home and
school is regular, two-way, and meaningful. |
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Standard #2: |
Parenting – Parenting skills are promoted and
supported. |
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Standard #3: |
Student Learning – Parents play an integral role in
assisting student learning. |
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Standard #4: |
Volunteering – Parents are welcome in the school,
and their support and assistance are sought. |
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Standard #5: |
School Decision Making and Advocacy – Parents are
full partners in the decisions that affect children and
families. |
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Standard #6: |
Collaborating with Community – Community resources
are used to strengthen schools, families, and student learning. |
Each of the above Standards for Excellence is prominently
evident in our schools. As a district, each of the buildings is
blest with active, meaningful and empowering parental/community
support. Our effectiveness is compounded by the good will and
good actions of so many wonderful helpers. Our challenge is
always to channel the energy and good intentions in the most
productive ways for students’ sake.
In an effort to expand on the tremendous
resources and practices already evident in the Columbia School
District, the Parent-Community Involvement Action Plan will:
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Notification
of Parent-Community Involvement Action Plan |
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Distribute the Columbia School District Parent-Community
Involvement Action Plan to students and parents in the
Student-Parent Handbook(s), which are annually distributed at
the beginning of the school year. Prior to the reprinting, each
building will seek input for needed revisions. |
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Communicate information about the Columbia School District
Parent-Community Involvement Action Plan through the
Torchbearer, the Exponent, building newsletters, on the district
Web site, and the Annual School Report(s). |
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Development of Title I Planning Process
In conjunction with current Board Policies and district
practices, the Columbia School District will continue: |
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Distribute surveys to parents to gain feedback on the Title I
program. |
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Conduct Informational Meetings at the beginning of each school
year in each of the Title I school buildings – Brooklyn
Elementary, Miller Elementary and Columbia Middle School. |
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Seek parental involvement on the district’s Title I Advisory
Committee. |
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Sponsor an end-of-the-year meeting to gather information on
the overall Title I program, evaluation and recommended
revisions. |
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Annual Evaluation of Parent-Community Involvement |
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Each year, as a district, we have made every attempt to
collect the names and roles of individuals, community groups and
businesses that have served as educational partners. It is
important to give recognition of those who have made any
contribution to the educational process. Through Volunteer
Recognition Programs we have honored those who have chosen to be
involved. |
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In addition, we will be adding to this practice a bit more
reflection – giving people the chance to make suggestions for
how we can include others and improve our outreach. This will be
completed through a survey format and small group discussions.
This information will be forwarded to the Administrative Offices
(district-wide committees), which will use this data to
evaluate, revise and implement strategies that will encourage
parent-community involvement to a greater degree. |
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Development of Parent-Community Involvement
During the course of the 2004-2005 school year, the Columbia
School District will develop some helpful guidelines for
“quality” Parent-Community Involvement that would include the
following: |
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Helping parents with strategies on supporting school
work/homework. |
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Providing resources that encourage parents to gain insight and
knowledge into their vital role. |
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Providing resources through the development of a Parental
Involvement link on the district’s web site. |
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Cultivating opportunities for people to contribute specialized
skills – Career Days, mentoring, school-to-work experiences,
etc. |
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Volunteerism (PTO, student-led conferences, field trips,
classroom helpers, booster groups, arts, etc.) |
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Participation on district-wide and school building committees,
attending special topic meetings, Board of Education meetings,
etc. |
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District Web site offerings for parents. |
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Development of Parent-Community Capacity
During the 2004-2005 school year, the Columbia School District
will work to broad the support system for parent. This will be
completed through: |
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Hosting a Parent University workshop in February, utilizing a
variety of speakers on topics of special significance to
parents. |
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Provide parents with materials and training to help them work
with their child to improve their child’s academic achievements
(i.e., Family Nights, newsletter “tips”, etc.) |
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Help educate parents on the state’s achievement standards; No
Child Left Behind requirements; state and local assessments; the
requirements of Title I, part A; monitoring their child’s
progress; and working with educators. |
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Encourage administrators and staff members to reach out,
communicate, and work with parents as equal partners. |
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Coordinate parental involvement activities with other
community resources and programs. |
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Communicate information about school and parent programs in an
understandable format. |
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Continuous Improvement Philosophy
In keeping with the Columbia School District’s on-going
commitment to continuous improvement, this facet of the
district’s endeavors will benefit from: |
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Careful monitoring of activities |
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Reflection on activities – what can we do to improve? What is
working? What needs adjustments? |
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Evaluation |
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Recommendations for the future |
Formalization of what has been occurring for many years in the
Columbia School District is important and will only heighten our
efforts. This Parent-Community Involvement Action Plan will help
us to continue to make a difference in the lives of students,
their families and this community.
(Reference
Point: A special thanks to the Northwest Community Schools for
sharing their Parental Involvement Plan.
We have learned many
helpful ideas and adapted many of their points to support our
efforts.)
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