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The notices below are required by No Child Left Behind and/or Title I. These policies are the same for both the Roosevelt Public School District and the Elgin/New Leipzig Public School District. You can simply substitute one district name for the other on any of these policies. Thank you.
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT POLICY
ELGIN/NEW LEIPZIG PUBLIC SCHOOL
PO BOX 70
ELGIN, ND 58533 (This policy is also in force in the Roosevelt Public School District)
PART I. DISTRICT EXPECTATIONS
Each school district must establish the district’s expectations for parental involvement. [Section 1118(a)(2), ESEA.]
The Elgin/New Leipzig Public School agrees to implement the following statutory requirements:
• The school district will put into operation programs, activities, and procedures for the involvement of parents in all of its schools with Title I programs. Those programs, activities, and procedures will be planned and operated with meaningful consultation with parents of participating children.
• The school district will work with its schools to ensure that the required school-level parental involvement policies meet the Title I requirements, and include, as a component, a school-parent compact.
• The school district will incorporate this district-wide parental involvement policy into its district plan.
• In carrying out the Title I parental involvement requirements, to the extent practicable, the school district and its schools will provide full opportunities for the participation of parents with children with limited English proficiency, parents with children 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, to the extent practicable, in a language parents understand.
• If the district plan for Title I is not satisfactory to the parents of participating children, the school district will submit any parent comments with the plan when the school district submits the plan to the Department of Public Instruction.
• The school district will involve the parents of children served in Title I schools in decisions about how the one percent of Title I 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 schools. (Only applicable for districts with Title I allocations greater than $500,000.)
• The school district will be governed by the following statutory definition of parental involvement, and expects that its Title I schools 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—
(A) that parents play an integral role in assisting their child’s learning:
(B) that parents are encouraged to be actively involved in their child’s education at school;
(C) 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;
(D) the carrying out of other activities, such as those described in section 1118 of the ESEA.
• The school district will inform parents and parental organizations of the purpose and existence of the Parental Information and Resource Center in North Dakota (i.e., NDPASS in Minot, ND).
PART II. DISTRICT/SCHOOL PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT POLICY REQUIRED COMPONENTS
1. The Elgin/New Leipzig Public School will take the following actions to involve parents in the joint development of its district/school parental involvement plan:
-Parent/Teacher Conferences in the fall and the spring of each school year
-Progress reports sent to parents in the middle of each nine week period
- Annual Meeting and Open House for all parents
-Communication notebooks as requested or needed
-Assignment books outlining expectations
-News communications through Administrative website and printed communications
-Annual Parent’s Day
2. The Elgin/New Leipzig Public School will convene an annual meeting, at a convenient time, to which all parents of participating children shall be invited and encouraged to attend, to inform parents of their school’s participation under this part and to explain the requirements of this part, and the right of the parents to be involved,
The Annual Meeting for parents, students, staff and other interested persons will be announced. The annual Open House be announced when scheduled.
3. The Elgin/New Leipzig Public School will offer a flexible number of meetings, such as meetings in the morning or evening, and may provide, with funds provided under this part, transportation, child care, or home visits, as such services relate to parental involvement;
We will have our school’s open house in the fall and the annual meeting in the spring. Due to high school activities, evenings are limited as to times and dates available for public events. Parents have indicated that they do not want additional involvement in parent surveys. It requires too many meetings on their part and they do not want additional meetings to attend.
4. The Elgin/New Leipzig Public School will provide the following necessary coordination, technical assistance, and other support to assist Title I schools in planning and implementing effective parental involvement activities to improve student academic achievement and school performance:
This year’s annual meeting topic will include educating our parents on the NWEA-MAP assessments. Our first NWEA assessment was last spring after parent teacher conferences were past, therefore we feel this would be an opportune time to educate our parents.
5. The Elgin/New Leipzig Public School will build the schools’ and parents’ 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, through the following activities specifically described below:
A. The school/district will, with the assistance of its Title I schools, provide assistance to parents of children served by the school district or school, as appropriate, in understanding topics such as the following, by undertaking the actions described in this paragraph --
• the state’s academic content standards,
• the state’s student academic achievement standards,
• the state and local academic assessments including alternate assessments,
• the requirements of Title I,
• how to monitor their child’s progress, and
• how to work with educators
Our school is utilizing standards based report cards in the lower elementary grades. We plan to expand that to the upper elementary grades in a gradual infusion, to insure success and acceptance by students and parents. We will also be utilizing NWEA, STAR Math, STAR Reading, STAR Early Literacy, Dibbles, ND State Assessments and classroom assessments. The professional staff will be encouraged to attend conferences and workshops that will strengthen their skills, such as the ND State Reading Conference, ND State Math Conference, ND State Science Conference.
The Elgin/New Leipzig Public School will provide parents of participating children, 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, and respond to any such suggestions as soon as practically possible.
B. The school/district will, with the assistance of its Title I schools, provide materials and training to help parents work with their children to improve their children’s’ academic achievement, such as literacy training and using technology, as appropriate, to foster parental involvement, by:
-Parent/Child/Teacher Conferences which are held twice each year
-ND Pass inservices and informational support
C. The school/district will, with the assistance of its Title I schools and parents, educate its 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, by:
The district has a PTO group which supports the teacher/parent communication; newsletters for parents and other interested persons; website of administrational and general information; concerts; ballgames and other activity gatherings.
D. The school/district will, to the extent feasible and appropriate, coordinate and integrate parental involvement programs and activities with Head Start, Reading First, Early Reading First, Even Start, Home Instruction Programs for Preschool Youngsters, the Parents as Teachers Program, and public preschool and other programs, and conduct other activities, such as parent resource centers, that encourage and support parents in more fully participating in the education of their children, by:
-The Head Start program is in our building, which allows us to share many services
-Community health nurse
-ND Pass information
E. The school/district will take the following actions to ensure that Title I information related to the school and parent- programs, meetings, and other activities, is sent to the parents of participating children in an understandable and uniform format, including alternative formats upon request, and, to the extent practicable, in a language the parents can understand:
Parent/Teacher communication through:
-assignment books
-classroom newsletters
-communication notebooks
-phone conferences
-calendar/lunch uniform format
-Math and Science nights for students and parents
-Parent’s and Grandparent’s Day at all schools
6. The Elgin/New Leipzig Public School will coordinate and integrate parental involvement strategies under Title I with parental involvement strategies under the following other programs:
Head Start
by:
-Direct communication with Head Start personnel
-Transition activities for students entering Kindergarten
-Working in close cooperation with Special Education services
7. The Elgin/New Leipzig Public School will take the following actions to conduct, with the involvement of parents, an annual evaluation of the content and effectiveness of this parental involvement policy in improving the
quality of its Title I schools. The evaluation will include identifying barriers to greater participation by parents in parental involvement activities (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). The school district will use the findings of the evaluation about its parental involvement policy and activities to design strategies for more effective parental involvement, and to revise, if necessary (and with the involvement of parents) its parental involvement policies.
The evaluation will be done through a parent survey. The results will be tallied by the
Title I staff. A needs assessment will be documented and new
practices/recommendations will be implemented by the district
8. The Elgin/New Leipzig Public School will take the following actions to involve parents in the process of school review and improvement:
-conferences
-annual review
-annual parent meetings
-parent survey
9. If the schoolwide program plan is not satisfactory to the parents of participating children, submit any parent comments on the plan when the school makes the plan available to the local educational agency.
All of the comments have been positive. Any suggestions for improvement will be submitted through the annual review and suggestions for changes implemented accordingly. When the new plan is published, those changes for implementation will be included for distribution to all concerned.
PART III. SHARED RESPONSIBLITIES FOR HIGH STUDENT ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
As a component of the school-level parental involvement policy, each school shall jointly develop with parents for all children served under this part a school-parent compact that outlines how parents, the entire school staff, and students will share the responsibility for improved student academic achievement.
The mission of the Highway 21 Consortium of Schools is to provide a positive learning environment that insures the process of lifetime learning and guides individuals in developing the skills necessary to exemplify diversified thinking in an ever changing world.
The mission of the Elgin/New Leipzig Public Schools is to promote a positive learning environment for all individuals.
PART IV. DISCRETIONARY DISTRICT/SCHOOL PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT POLICY COMPONENTS
The District/School Parental Involvement Policy may include additional paragraphs listing and describing other discretionary activities that the school district, in consultation with its parents, chooses to undertake to build parents’ capacity for involvement in the school and school system to support their children’s’ academic achievement, such as the following discretionary activities:
• Pay reasonable and necessary expenses associated with parental involvement activities, including transportation and child care costs, to enable parents to participate in school-related meetings and training sessions.
• Train parents to enhance the involvement of other parents. The PTO group has implemented strategies to entice parents to become involved in all aspects of their students educational lives.
• In order to maximize parental involvement and participation in their children’s education, arrange school meetings at a variety of times.
• Adopt and implement model approaches to improving parental involvement.
• Develop appropriate roles for community-based organizations and businesses, including faith-based organizations, in parental involvement activities. This is accomplished through the PTO and their activities with parents.
• Provide other reasonable support for parental involvement activities under section 1118 as parents may request.
PART V. ACCESSIBILITY
In carrying out the parental involvement requirements of this part, districts and schools, to the extent practicable, shall provide full opportunities for the participation of parents with children with limited English proficiency, parents with children with disabilities, and parents of migratory children, including providing information and school reports in a format and, to the extent practicable, in a language such parents can understand.
The district shall insure that all parents receive the information necessary in an acceptable format, be it printed or electronic, so they are fully able to communicate with staff regarding the education of their children. Any special requests will be individually dealt with to insure adequacy of information.
PART VI. ADOPTION
This District/School Parental Involvement Policy has been developed jointly with, and agreed on with, parents of children participating in Title I programs, as evidenced by committee meeting actions and discussions.
This policy will be in effect for the period of 2008-2010, with revisions as deemed necessary by Title I parents and Title I staff. The school district will distribute this policy to all parents of participating Title I children.
----------------------------------------------- SCHOOL-PARENT COMPACT The Elgin/New Leipzig Public School and the parents of the students participating in activities, services, and programs funded by Title I agree that this compact outlines how they will share the responsibility for improved student academic achievement and the means by which the school and parents will build and develop a partnership that will help children achieve the State’s high standards. This school-parent compact is in effect during the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 school years. SCHOOL-PARENT COMPACT PROVISIONS
School Responsibilities The Elgin/New Leipzig Public School will:
1. Provide high-quality curriculum and instruction in a supportive and effective learning environment that enables the participating children to meet the State’s student academic achievement standards as follows: The mission of the Elgin/New Leipzig Public School is to promote a positive learning environment for all individuals. As members of the Highway 21 Consortium, The mission of the Highway 21 Consortium is to provide a positive learning environment that insures the process of lifetime learning and guides individuals in developing the skills necessary to exemplify diversified thinking in an ever-changing world. Through our ongoing School Improvement Process, we provide high quality curriculum to all of our students. This is assured through the ever changing and updating that is part of the school improvement process and adjustments that are made in the curriculum. The process of improvement is never ending and is evaluated by outside sources as well as from within. 2. Hold parent-teacher conferences (at least annually in elementary schools) during which this compact will be discussed as it relates to the individual child’s achievement. Specifically, these conferences will be held:
Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held at the end of the first quarter of classes and at the end of the third quarter of classes. Exact dates and times are published with the school calendar and a letter is distributed prior to conferences, inviting all parents to attend conferences. Notices are also published in the official newspaper of the district. 3. Provide parents with frequent reports on their children’s progress. Specifically, the school will provide reports as follows: Progress Reports are provided to the parents/guardians of each student at mid-point of each nine-week period. The report includes grades and comments from the teachers of each particular class. 4. Provide parents reasonable access to staff. Specifically, staff will be available for consultation with parents as follows: Staff may be contacted for consultation before school each morning, after school each afternoon or by calling the main office and leaving a message for the staff member. All staff members have e-mail access, whereby parents may contact the staff member in that manner also. 5. Provide parents opportunities to volunteer and participate in their child’s class, and to observe classroom activities, as follows: Parents are welcome to observe at any time. Volunteers can be activated through the local Grant County Parent/Teacher Organization that have taken on the task of organizing volunteers to assist teachers in classroom or co-curricular activities. Parent Responsibilities
We, as parents, will support our children’s learning in the following ways: PARENT/GUARDIAN AGREEMENT:
--See that my child is punctual and attends school regularly.
--Support the school in its efforts to maintain proper discipline.
--Establish a time for homework, review it regularly and assure it is completed.
--Provide a quiet, well-lit place for study.
--Encourage my child’s efforts and be available for questions.
--Stay aware of what my child is learning.
--Read with my child and let my child see me read.
--Being available, if possible, to volunteer in my child’s classroom or serve on district committees involving school issues/planning. Student Responsibilities
It is important that I work to the best of my ability.
Therefore, I shall strive to do the following:
--Attend school regularly.
--Come to school each day with all of the necessary tools necessary for learning.
--Complete and return homework assignments on a timely basis.
--Observe regular study hours as much as possible.
--Conform to rules of student conduct as outlined in the student handbook. ------------------------------------------ ROOSEVELT PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Title I Dispute Resolution Policy During the course of any school year, many concerns and complaints are voiced directly and indirectly to teachers, administrators, or school board members. It is the philosophy to the Roosevelt Board of Education, that all concerns and complaints of the Elgin/New Leipzig and Carson Patrons are important and that a method of communication be available for expressing those concerns; hence the attached form. Please remember that many positive things happen at school also. A commendation letter may also be used to express your satisfaction with certain areas of school. If you have problem/concern, the following channels should be followed: 1. Teacher – If it is a classroom problem, the teacher should be the first contact. If you are not satisfied with the action you should talk to the appropriate principal. 2. Principal – If the action of the principal is not satisfactory, visit with the superintendent. 3. Superintendent – If the action of the superintendent is not satisfactory, you should request to address the Board of Education at the next regular meeting. 4. Board of Education – The school board consists of elected members whose purpose is to organize and maintain a system of a graded elementary school and a senior high school. Patrons are reminded that individual board members have status as Board Members only when acting formally as members of the Board, while it is in session or when specifically entrusted by the Board to carry out definite assignments. In the event you would feel more comfortable stating your complaint or commendation in writing and having the superintendent check into it, after you have visited with the teacher and principal, please feel free to do so. Send written statement to: Superintendent of Schools Roosevelt Public Schools
PO Box 197
Carson, ND 58529-0197 Title I complaintants that wish to have the district’s decision reviewed may do so through the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction and the U.S. Department of Education. -----------------------
NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND & PARENT’S RIGHT TO KNOW
The 2001 No Child Left Behind Act (P.L. 107-110) revised and extended the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) by shadowing much of the 1994 reauthorization’s basic framework of standards, assessments and accountability, but also setting higher goals for states and districts to improve student achievement and close academic gaps among different racial, ethnic and economic groups. Meeting the needs of children with disabilities is among the Act’s prominently stated purposes. The new law will eventually require all states to have academic content and achievement standards in reading, math, and science, and to develop yearly tests linked to those standards for all students in grades 3 through 8. The states will also have to formulate annual adequate yearly progress (AYP) objectives that will result in all students achieving proficiency in reading and math by the 2013-14 school year. Sanctions will be prescribed for districts and schools that fail to improve within prescribed time limits, while rewards will be available for those that make progress. The schools that fail to make adequate progress will be subject to increasingly tough corrective actions, ranging from the development of an improvement plan to, ultimately, a complete restructuring. Students who attend those schools will be given the option of transferring to a better performing school, within the district. If schools continue to fall short of AYP, local districts will be required to offer students supplemental educational services. Beginning with the 2002-03 school year, every district receiving Part A funding, under Title I, must ensure that all newly hired teachers are highly qualified, the basic requirements for which are a bachelor’s degree and a state license. These have been requirements for many years. Existing teachers are required to meet those same criteria or demonstrate subject competency through a uniform state standard of evaluation. All states and districts must develop plans to have 100 percent of their teachers who teach core academic subjects highly qualified by the end of the 2005-2006 school year. Paraprofessionals hired after the effective date of the law must have completed two years of college, hold at least an associate’s degree or be able to demonstrate on a formal assessment, knowledge of and ability to assist in instructing reading, writing and math. Although not specifically stated in the law, these requirements extend to all paraprofessionals with instructional duties working in schools covered by schoolwide programs. Existing paraprofessionals must comply with the same standards within four years after the law’s enactment. All paraprofessionals must have earned a secondary school diploma or its equivalent. If you have any questions regarding the No Child Left Behind Act, professional qualifications of our teaching staff or any questions or comments regarding the Schoolwide Title I Program, please contact the school office for answers to your questions and copies of requested reports. CHAIN OF COMMAND AT THE LOCAL LEVEL Teacher ----- Respective Principal ----- Superintendent ----- Board of Education ----------------------------------------------------------------------- August 10, 2009
Dear Parents and Patrons,
Every year the Elgin/New Leipzig Public School District and the Roosevelt Public School District, in cooperation with the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction, publishes an annual progress report on student achievement called the School District Profile. This profile is now available for your review. I encourage you to access and study this important information. This report demonstrates the progress our students are making in terms of our challenging academic standards.
You may access the School District Profile for the Elgin/New Leipzig Public School District and the Roosevelt Public School District on the Department of Public Instruction’s website at the following address http://www.dpi.state.nd.us/dpi/reports/profile/index.shtm. Simply select the School District and the most recent year to access the various reports available. If you prefer, the staff at your local school or our central office will assist you and provide a printed copy to
review.
The annual School District Profile summarizes how well our students performed this past
year in reading/English language arts and mathematics on the North Dakota State
Assessment and on other academic indicators. The annual School District Profile presents
the percentage of students who have achieved proficiency in reading/language arts and
mathematics. The Profile also provides our student attendance rates and graduation rates.
The Profile reviews the achievement of all students and of specific subgroups of students.
Additionally, the Profile compares our student results over two years to those of the State
as a whole.
The School District Profile for the Elgin/New Leipzig Public School District and the Roosevelt Public School District is an important summary of how
well our students are progressing in their basic academic skills. I encourage all parents and
patrons to familiarize themselves with this information. Providing a quality education for our
students is everyone’s concern. In order for us to improve, we must begin with an
understanding of how well our students are performing. We should all take pride in the
support we collectively provide our students. Together, I am confident that we will build on
our successes to improve and further raise the quality of education within our
school districts. I thank you for your continued commitment to building a strong education
system here in Grant County.
Sincerely,
Martin F. Schock
Superintendent
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