SOUTH OCALA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Title I, Part A Parental Involvement Plan

I, Lisa Coy , do hereby certify that all facts, figures, and representations made in this application are true, correct, and consistent with the statement of assurances for these waivers. Furthermore, all applicable statutes, regulations, and procedures; administrative and programmatic requirements; and procedures for fiscal control and maintenance of records will be implemented to ensure proper accountability for the expenditure of funds on this project. All records necessary to substantiate these requirements will be available for review by appropriate state and federal staff. I further certify that all expenditures will be obligated on or after the effective date and prior to the termination date of the project. Disbursements will be reported only as appropriate to this project, and will not be used for matching funds on this or any special project, where prohibited.

Assurances

  • The school will be governed by the statutory definition of parental involvement, and will carry out programs, activities, and procedures in accordance with the definition outlined in Section 9101(32), ESEA;
  • Involve the parents of children served in Title I, Part A in decisions about how Title I, Part A funds reserved for parental involvement are spent [Section 1118(b)(1) and (c)(3)];
  • Jointly develop/revise with parents the school parental involvement policy and distribute it to parents of participating children and make available the parental involvement plan to the local community [Section 1118 (b)(1)];
  • Involve parents, in an organized, ongoing, and timely way, in the planning, review, and improvement of programs under this part, including the planning, review, and improvement of the school parental involvement policy and the joint development of the schoolwide program plan under section 1114(b)(2) [Section 1118(c)(3)];
  • Use the findings of the parental involvement policy review to design strategies for more effective parental involvement, and to revise, if necessary, the school’s parental involvement policy [Section 1118(a)(E)];
  • If the plan for Title I, Part A, developed under Section 1112, is not satisfactory to the parents of participating children, the school will submit parent comments with the plan when the school submits the plan to the local educational agency [Section 1118(b)(4)];
  • Provide to each parent an individual student report about the performance of their child on the state assessment in at least mathematics, language arts, and reading [Section 1111(h)(6)(B)(i)];
  • Provide each parent timely notice when their child has been assigned or has been taught for four (4) or more consecutive weeks by a teacher who is not highly qualified within the meaning of the term in 34 CFR Section 200.56 [Section 1111(h)(6)(B)(ii)]; and
  • Provide each parent timely notice information regarding their right to request information on the professional qualifications of the student's classroom teachers and paraprofessionals [Section (h)(6)(A)].

 

Signature of Principal or Designee

Date Signed

 

Mission Statement



Parental Involvement Mission Statement (Optional)

Response: South Ocala believes that positive parent family involvement is essential to student achievement and thus encourages such involvement in school,educational planning and operations.

Involvement of Parents



Describe how the school will involve parents in an organized, ongoing, and timely manner, in the planning, review, and improvement of Title I programs including involvement in the decisions regarding how funds for parental involvement will be used [Sections1118(c)(3), 1114(b)(2), and 1118(a)(2)(B)].

Response: · South Ocala Elementary School believes in involving parents in all aspects of its Title One programs. Our SAC (School Advisory Council) committee will develop, implement and evaluate all aspects of the SIP (School Improvement Plan) and the PIP (Parent Involvement Plan). More than 50% of the SAC are parent (non-employee) representatives. All members of the SAC are given the opportunity to review and offer input to the plan prior to offering their approval. Throughout the year parents are offered a survey to evaluate parent activities. These surveys are used to guide activities for the following year.

· SAC members are chosen through the process of a vote. Parents wishing to participate in the SAC are put on a ballot and current members of the SAC and parents vote to elect SAC members.

· Parent input on various platforms are recorded in the SAC minutes.

· Each SAC meeting the agenda will reflect initiatives that need to be addressed. At the SAC meeting a section of the PIP or SIP will be highlighted and opened for a forum. Once discussion has been had the section will be tabled for a vote at the next scheduled meeting. During that time if a SAC member has further questions, the principal is available for clarification.


Coordination and Integration



Describe how the school will coordinate and integrate parental involvement programs and activities that teach parents how to help their children at home, to the extent feasible and appropriate, including but not limited to, other federal programs such as: Head Start, Early Reading First, Even Start, Home Instruction Programs for Preschool Youngsters, the Parents as Teachers Program, public preschool, Title I, Part C, Title II, Title III, Title IV, and Title VI [Section 1118(e)(4)].

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Program

Coordination

1

Voluntary Pre-K

Students register at South Ocala to attend the voluntary Pre-K program. (Students must live in South Ocala's school zone.) Once students are in the Pre-K program, parents are entitled to attend all Title 1 programs within the school. The Pre-K teachers will meet all Title 1 requirements within the classroom.

2

HIPPY Program

At the Title 1 annual meeting, parents are provided the Title 1 brochure which contains information on HIPPY. HIPPY provides services to 3 and 4 year olds who live in selected Title 1 school attendance areas. HIPPY paraprofessionals visit parents in the home to assist them with activity packets that are used with their child to acquire literacy and other readiness skills.

Annual Parent Meeting



Describe the specific steps the school will take to conduct an annual meeting designed to inform parents of participating children about the school’s Title I program, the nature of the Title I program (schoolwide or targeted assistance), Adequately Yearly Progress, school choice, supplemental educational services, and the rights of parents. Include timeline, persons responsible, and evidence the school will use to demonstrate the effectiveness of the activity [Section 1118(c)(1)].

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Activity/Tasks

Person Responsible

Timeline

Evidence of Effectiveness

1

Title One Annual Meeting held on two seperate dates. (One evening time and one morning time.)

Principal, Assistant Principal

Invitation sent out 9/2/14 to attend the 9/9/14 or 10/7/14 meeting.

Attendance survey and Title 1 sign-in sheets

2

The Principal will create a Title 1 PowerPoint to show parents.

Principal

9/1/14 - 9/9/14

Parent Survey

Flexible Parent Meetings



Describe how the school will offer a flexible number of meetings, such as meetings in the morning or evening, and may provide with Title I funds, transportation, child care, or home visits, as such services related to parental involvement [Section 1118(c)(2)].

Response: · Parent Conferences will be held before and after school as well as during the day if needed. Social workers are also available to do home visits if parents are unable to attend a meeting. We will also offer parent meetings at Howard Academy to accomodate our students and parents in our western zone.

· Activities will be held on weekends, and will alternate days of the week as is appropriate for the nature of the activity. The SAC committee will put to vote an appropriate meeting time for monthly meetings. Parent nights will be held on alternating nights to ensure that parents have the ability to attend.

· The parent survey will document the success of our flexibility.


Building Capacity



Describe how the school will implement activities that will build the capacity for strong parental involvement, in order to ensure effective involvement of parents and to support a partnership among the school involved, parents, and the community to improve student academic achievement [Section 1118(e)]. Describe the actions the school will take to provide materials and training to help parents work with their child to improve their child’s academic achievement [Section 1118(e)(2)].Include information on how the school will provide other reasonable support for parental involvement activities under Section 1118 as parents may request [Section 1118(e)(14)].

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Content and Type of Activity

Person Responsible

Anticipated Impact on Student Achievement

Timeline

Evidence of Effectiveness

1

STEM Experiment Night

STEM Coach, Academic Coach, Principal, Assistant Principal

This activity will inform parents of the STEM related activities that have been completed at SOE for the 2014-2015 school year.By providing this training to parents, they will become more involved with helping children at home which will help increase our scoreson Science FCAs and FSAs for Reading and Math.

Spring

Parent Survey and Sign-in sheets

2

Information/Orientation Night

Teachers, Principal, Assistant Principal, Reading Coach, STEM Coach, Academic Coach

Outline student expectations. Introduce parents to the new Florida Standards and what evaluation methods will be utilized for the school year.This activity will assist parents in supporting their children in all academic areas. This support will lead to increased student achievement.

Fall

Parent Survey and Sign-in sheets

3

STEM Showcase Night

STEM Coach, Principal, Assistant Principal

This activity allows parents to see and participate in a variety of STEM activities offered at South Ocala Elementary.This participation willassist parents in supporting their children in the areas of math and science. This support will lead to increased student achievement..

Fall

Parent Survey and Sign - in sheets

4

STEM Parent Night

STEM Coach, Principal, Assistant Principal

This activity will encourage parents to participate in science experiments alongside their children.In doing so, parents will better be able to support their children. This support will lead to increased student achievement.

Fall

Parent Survey and sign - sheets

Staff Training



Describe the professional development activities the school will provide to educate the teachers, pupil services personnel, principals, and other staff in how to reach out to, communicate with, and work with parents as equal partners, in the value and utility of contributions of parents, and in how to implement and coordinate parent programs, and build ties between parents and schools [Section 1118(e)(3)].

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Content and Type of Activity

Person Responsible

Anticipated Impact on Student Achievement

Timeline

Evidence of Effectiveness

1

STEM Book Study

Stem Coach, Teachers

Teacher will better understand how to implement STEM at South Ocala Elementary. In doing so, achievement levels will improve for all students.

August - November

Teacher evaluations, 3-2-1

2

FSA Math Trainings.

Math Lead Teachers, Principal, Assistant Principal

As a result of the trainings, the teachers will have a better uderstanding of implementing the Florida Standards in their classrooms.(Resulting in improved student achievement as measured by Learning checks and FSA)

All Year

Teacher evaluations, 3-2-1

3

FSA Reading Trainings

Reading Coach and ELA Lead Teachers , Principal, Assistant Principal

As a result of the trainings , teachers will better understand how to implement teaching the Florida Standards. In doing so, students will improve academically. (Results will be measured using Learning Checks and FSA)

All Year

Teacher evaluations, 3-2-1

Other Activities



Describe the other activities, such as parent resource centers, the school will conduct to encourage and support parents in more fully participating in the education of their children [Section 1118 (e)(4)].

Response: Title I Van- Contact the Title I personnel and advertise through the website, and school newsletters when the van will be at the school.



Frosty Festival-Parents and families will be invited to participate in the gathering.The event will help facilitate a positive experience for all school stakeholders. December 5th, 2014. Persons responsible: Principal, Assistant Principal, Teachers, PTO



Career Day-Guidance Counselor will contact parents to share in their profession. The Guidance Counselor will organize the event. (April, 2015_



Volunteer appreciation-At the beginning of the year, a recruitment and traininng will be offered to potential volunteers. At the end of the year, a breakfast will be held to highlight their service and commitment.



Parent evaluations and parent sign-in sheets will be used as evidence to demonstrate effectiveness.

Communication



Describe how the school will provide parents of participating children the following [Section 1118(c)(4)]:

  • Timely information about the Title I programs [Section 1118(c)(4)(A)];
  • Description and explanation of the curriculum at the school, the forms of academic assessment used to measure student progress, and the proficiency levels students are expected to meet [Section 1118(c)(4)(B)];
  • If requested by parents, opportunities for regular meetings to formulate suggestions and to participate, as appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of their children[Section 1118(c)(4)(C)]; and
  • If the schoolwide program plan under Section 1114 (b)(2) is not satisfactory to the parents of participating children, the school will include submit the parents’ comments with the plan that will be made available to the local education agency [Section 1118(c)(5)].

Response: · School newsletters, classroom newsletters, alert now calling system and the school website will offer parents information about Title 1 programs, pending testing, meeting times and parent night activities. Translators are also available for Spanish speaking parents and interpreters are available for our deaf and hard of hearing parents.

· Dissemination will be available in print to be delivered via backpack, calling system and electronically through our school website.

· Parent notification for an event will be highlighted at the beginning of the year through the PIP. One month prior to the event, there will be a highlight mentioned on the website and in the school newsletter. There will then be weekly reminders through classroom news letters and an ongoing reminder on the website up until the actual event is to take place. Some events will have stickers sent home the night before on the clothing of students.

· A majority of the parent satisfaction surveys will indicate an 80% success rate. Parents will also receive a parent handbook that highlights the schools involvement in Title 1 programs and offers a copy of the Parent Involvement Plan.

Accessibility



Describe how the school will provide full opportunities for participation in parental involvement activities for all parents (including parents with limited English proficiency, disabilities, and migratory children). Include how the school plans to share information related to school and parent programs, meetings, school reports, and other activities in an understandable and uniform format and to the extent practical, in a language parents can understand [Section 1118(e)(5) and 1118(f)].

Response: · The parent involvement plan will be included in the student handbook; every parent will receive a copy of the handbook in print.We will assure that all new students receive a handbook when they enroll at South Ocala.

· The PIP will be printed in Spanish upon request due to our low Hispanic population. Interpreters for our deaf community and Spanish speaking personnel will be available at all parent nights and parent activities. In addition hard copies will be available in the front office and the parent resource room at South Ocala Elementary.

· The complete PIP will be posted on the SOE website as well as the State Website. Written communication will be provided for parents in English, however if requested a Spanish version will be sent. All district Title One communication is available in both Spanish and English.

· All parent notifications are approved by the principal before dissemination.

* Parents with Disabilities- South Ocala will ensure that parents with disabilities fully have access to parent involvement activities. For example, we will provide an interpreter for parents who are deaf or hard of hearing.


Discretionary Activities



Discretionary School Level Parental Involvement Policy Components Check if the school does not plan to implement discretionary parental involvement activities. Check all activities the school plans to implement:

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Activity

Description of Implementation Strategy

Person Responsible

Anticipated Impact on Student Achievement

Timeline

1

Involving parents in the development of training for teachers, principals, and other educators to improve the effectiveness of that training [Section 1118(e)(6)];and

SAC meeting-SAC members will discuss and vote on necessary teacher/parent in-service.

Florida Inclusion Network/Administration

Data will be shared between parents and teachers. In doing so, parents will be better able to support their children academically. This support will help in raising student achievement levels. (Evidence: Learning Checks and FSA)

September, October, January, March, and May

2

Providing necessary literacy training for parents from Title I, Part A funds, if the LEA has exhausted all other reasonably available sources of funding for that training [Section 1118(e)(7)]; and

Literacy nights-Parents will learn strategies to assist their children. We will also offer an off-site night for parents.

Administration/Media Specialist/Teachers

Reading scores will increase due to an increase in parent support.

Fall, Winter and Spring

3

Training parents to enhance the involvement of other parents [Section 1118(e)(9)];

District title I Parent Involvement Meeting-A parent will attend and report to SAC the outcome of the district meeting.

Parent volunteer

The title one meeting outlines parent involvement strategies that will increase student achievement. By providing this training to parents, they will become more involved with helping children in the home which will help to increase our scores on Reading/Math Learning Checks and FSAs

Spring

4

Maximizing parental involvement and participation in their children’s education by arranging school meetings at a variety of times, or conducting in-home conferences between teachers or other educators, who work directly with participating children, with parents who are unable to attend those conferences at school [Section 1118(e)(10)];

Off site Meetings-Social worker is available to visit parents who are unable to attend.

Teacher/Guidance Counselor/Social Worker

Increase communication of the student’s progress will increase academic performance.

On-going

5

Adopting and implementing model approaches to improving parental involvement [Section 1118(e)(11)]; and

Title I Planning-Parent night activities are outlined in the Title One Plan and submitted to the state for approval.

Administration/Teachers

Services are offered so parents can focus on learning activities.

Fall, Winter and Spring

Upload Evidence of Input from Parents



Upload evidence of parent input in the development of the plan.

Upload Parent-School Compact



Note: As a component of the school-level parental involvement policy/plan, each school shall jointly develop, with parents for all children served under this part, a parent-school compact that outlines how parents, the entire school staff, and students will share the responsibility for improved student academic achievement Section 1118(d)].

Upload an electronic version of the Parent-School Compact.

Upload Evidence of Parent Involvement in Development of Parent-School Compact



Note: As a component of the school-level parental involvement policy/plan, each school shall jointly develop, with parents for all children served under this part, a parent-school compact that outlines how parents, the entire school staff, and students will share the responsibility for improved student academic achievement Section 1118(d)].

Upload evidence of parent input in the development of the compact.

Evaluation of the previous year's Parental Involvement Plan

Building Capacity Summary



Provide a summary of activities provided during the previous school year that were designed to build the capacity of parents to help their children [Section 1118 (e)(1-2)]. Include participation data on the Title I annual meeting.

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Content and Type of Activity

Number of Activities

Number of Participants

Anticipated Impact on Student Achievement

1

Information / Orientation

2

300

Outlines student expectations. Introduces parents to the Common core Standards and what evaluattive methods will be utilized for the school year.

2

STEM Parent Night

6

120

The evening event provided parents with a better understanding of STEM and how it will impact students at SOE. As a result, student achievement levels will rise in both science and math.

3

Howard Academy STEM Night

6

55

The evening event was offered off SOE's campus at Howard Academy. The activities allowed parents to see STEM in action. Parents left with a better understanding of how to support their children in the areas of science and math.

4

STEM Showcase Night

6

125

The evening provided parents a chance to see many of the STEM activites and projects completed at SOE.

5

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Staff Training Summary



Provide a summary of the professional development activities provided by the school during the previous school year to educate staff on the value and utility of contributions of parents; how to reach out to, communicate with, and work with parents as equal partners; the implementation and coordination of parent programs; and how to build ties between parents and the school [Section 1118 (e)(3)].

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Content and Type of Activity

Number of Activities

Number of Participants

Anticipated Impact on Student Achievement

1

Common Core Reading Training

5

65

The trainings provided teachers with strategies and knowledge about implementing common core standards. As a result, students will receive appropriate instruction and support.

2

Common Core Math Training

5

65

Teachers received Common Core math traing to better implement the curriculum. As a result, student will receive appropriat instruction to raise student achievement levels for all students.

3

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Barriers



Describe the barriers that hindered participation by parents during the previous school year in parental involvement activities. Include the steps the school will take during the current school year to overcome the barriers (with particular attention to parents who are economically disadvantaged, are disabled, have limited English proficiency, have limited literacy, or are of any racial or ethnic minority background) [Section 1118(a)(E)].

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Barrier (Including the Specific Subgroup)

Steps the School will Take to Overcome

1

Transportation

Offer programs at off site locations.

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11

Best Practices (Optional)



Describe the parental involvement activity/strategy the school implemented during the previous schoool year that the school considers the most effective. This information may be shared with other LEAs and schools as a best practice. (Optional)

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Content/Purpose

Description of the Activity

1

Increasing Parent Participation

South Ocala Elementary offered a Parent Night off campus. The activitiy was held at a community center where parents with no transportation could attend. The activity offered parents an opprtunity to participate in STEM activities with their children. Both parents and children learned a great deal about math and science that evening. The environment was relaxed and filled with learning and fun.

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